Merrydale Primary School pupils and teachers attended school dressed in in character in celebration of International Literacy Day on Thursday September 8.
Principal Taahir Dilgee said the day was significant in raising awareness about the importance of reading but also to express their enjoyment of reading by coming to school dressed as their favourite characters.
It is the school’s goal that every Grade 1 pupil should be able to read at the end of the year.
Mr Dilgee said it was a process and that the pupils learn by example with their teachers and parents reading to and with them.
Pupils read to each other, when they read aloud and gain confidence when standing in front of the class.
“Reading is an experience, where readers can picture the imagery, which would motivate them to write their own stories,” he said.
He said it should ignite that imagery and imagination.
The school also takes the pupils to Lentegeur library and they have a container library to further motivate the importance of books and reading.
Mr Dilgee said parents play a key role in reading to their children at home.
“When you read you recognise words and broaden your vocabulary.
“Let your imagination go. Let it ignite something in your brain. Encourage reading and learning so the children can write compositions, using appropriate words and language,” said Mr Dilgee.
The pupils had a special assembly seeing words in drama, song and dance.