Book Week is a celebration of stories, imagination and creativity, but helping children love reading isn't just something that happens during one week of the year. The good news? It doesn't take expensive resources or hours of extra time. Often, it's the small, recurring habits that make the biggest difference.
1. Let them see you read
Children are more likely to value reading when they see the adults around them enjoying it too. Whether it's a novel, magazine, recipe or newspaper, showing that reading is part of everyday life helps build positive attitudes towards books.
2. Read together, even after they've learnt to read
Many parents stop reading aloud once their child becomes an independent reader, but shared reading continues to support vocabulary, comprehension and a love of storytelling well into the primary years. It also creates moments to connect and talk about ideas.
3. Give children the freedom to choose
Not every child will be drawn to classic novels, and that's okay! Graphic novels, comics, fact books and magazines all count. When children can explore topics they're genuinely interested in, reading becomes something they want to do rather than something they have to do.
4. Make reading part of everyday life
Ten or fifteen minutes before bed or reading together after school helps establish reading as a regular habit. Consistency matters more than long sessions.
5. Talk about stories
Asking simple questions like "What surprised you?" or "Who was your favourite character?" encourages children to think more deeply about what they've read. These conversations also help develop confidence and comprehension.
6. Celebrate curiosity, not perfection
Children don't need to finish every book they start or read at the same level as their peers. The goal is to nurture confidence and enjoyment. When reading feels positive, children are more likely to keep coming back to it.
Wondering how schools help children become confident readers?
At Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), engaging literacy experiences, dedicated teachers and well-resourced libraries help students build the skills and confidence to thrive as readers and learners.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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19 Aug 2026
From Facebook
🕰️ Way Back When Wednesday 🕰️ This week, we’re heading back into the St Patrick’s archives with a little bit of a difference! While the equipment, classrooms and technology may have changed over the years, one thing certainly hasn’t: our commitment to helping students explore Science, Technology and Mathematics and discover more about the world around them. 🔬➗💡 These photos capture some wonderful hands-on learning from years gone by... but can anyone help us fill in the story? 👀 Do you recognise the year, the people or perhaps even remember what was happening in these photos? We’d love you to share your memories with us in the comments. 💛💚 #BelongToSomethingGreater #cspd2026 #100yearsofcatholiceducation #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #catholicschools #learningisfunatStPats #WayBackWhenWednesday #schoolmemories #100YearsOfCatholicEducation
18 Aug 2026
From Facebook
⚽ World Cup Fever Continues! 🌏🏆 The competition is heating up in our Stage 2 Soccer World Cup! Our ‘countries’ have been eagerly checking the draw to see who they’ll be versing next and, of course, keeping a very close eye on who is sitting at the top of the table! 👀⚽ There is plenty of excitement about the upcoming games, friendly rivalry between teams and, most importantly, lots of joy in simply being part of the competition. Who will make their way to the top? 🏆⚽
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20 Aug 2026
Six Habits That Help Children Develop a Love of Reading
Book Week is a celebration of stories, imagination and creativity, but helping children love reading isn't just something that happens during one week of the year. The good news? It doesn't take expensive resources or hours of extra time. Often, it's the small, everyday habits that make the biggest difference.
19 Aug 2026
From Facebook
🕰️ Way Back When Wednesday 🕰️ This week, we’re heading back into the St Patrick’s archives with a little bit of a difference! While the equipment, classrooms and technology may have changed over the years, one thing certainly hasn’t: our commitment to helping students explore Science, Technology and Mathematics and discover more about the world around them. 🔬➗💡 These photos capture some wonderful hands-on learning from years gone by... but can anyone help us fill in the story? 👀 Do you recognise the year, the people or perhaps even remember what was happening in these photos? We’d love you to share your memories with us in the comments. 💛💚 #BelongToSomethingGreater #cspd2026 #100yearsofcatholiceducation #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #catholicschools #learningisfunatStPats #WayBackWhenWednesday #schoolmemories #100YearsOfCatholicEducation
18 Aug 2026
From Facebook
⚽ World Cup Fever Continues! 🌏🏆 The competition is heating up in our Stage 2 Soccer World Cup! Our ‘countries’ have been eagerly checking the draw to see who they’ll be versing next and, of course, keeping a very close eye on who is sitting at the top of the table! 👀⚽ There is plenty of excitement about the upcoming games, friendly rivalry between teams and, most importantly, lots of joy in simply being part of the competition. Who will make their way to the top? 🏆⚽
17 Aug 2026
From Facebook
🌏⚽ The World Cup Comes to St Patrick’s! 🌏⚽ Just when we thought the World Cup was over, the ‘countries’ have come together again, this time in our very own playground! 🏆 Our Stage 2 students have been loving their Soccer World Cup, organised by Mrs Cadman and Mrs Baaini during recess and lunch. Mrs Cadman has been sharing her knowledge and love of the game, helping students develop their soccer skills while enjoying friendly competition. Plenty of goals, teamwork and World Cup spirit happening on the playground! ⚽🌏🏆 Who do you think will be the winning team? #BelongToSomethingGreater #cspd2026 #100yearsofcatholiceducation #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #catholicschools #learningisfunatStPats #cspd
16 Aug 2026
From Facebook
🍭 The Great Lolly Jar Guessing Competition! 🍭 Congratulations to our lucky winners of The Great Lolly Jar Guessing Competition! 🎉 A huge thank you to all our families who supported this wonderful fundraising initiative. Through plenty of guesses (and lots of temptation! 🍬), our community has helped our Mary MacKillop students continue St Mary MacKillop’s mission of reaching out and supporting those in need. 💛💚 A special thank you to Miss Arida and our Mary MacKillop students Bec, Jared, Fareeda, Mahalia, Daniel, Amelia, Jude and John-Luke for organising such a fun way for our St Patrick’s community to make a difference. Little guesses making a big difference! 💚💛🍭 #BelongToSomethingGreater #cspd2026 #100yearsofcatholiceducation #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #catholicschools #marymackillop
15 Aug 2026
From Facebook
💚💛 Nearly as Tall... But Not Quite as Wise! 💛💚 Our Year 6 students may now be nearly as tall as their grandparents, but they still have a few years to go before they can match their wisdom! 😊 As they move through their final year of primary school, Grandparents Day was a beautiful opportunity to share their classrooms, their learning and some special time with the people who have watched them grow from little ones into the young people they are today. They may be growing up quickly, but you are never too old for a proud grandparent. 💛💚 #grandparentsday #Year6 #openclassrooms #stpatricksparramatta #learningtogether #catholicschools #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #BelongToSomethingGreater #cspd2026 #100yearsofcatholiceducation #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #catholicschools
14 Aug 2026
From Facebook
💚💛 Some Things We Never Outgrow 💛💚 Our Year 5 students may be getting older, taller and more independent, but some things never change, especially the joy of having your grandparents come to school! 🥰 Open Classrooms gave our students the chance to proudly share their learning and a little glimpse into their everyday school life with some of their biggest supporters. No matter how much they grow, there will always be something special about sharing these moments with Grandma, Grandpa, Nan, Pop or another treasured grandparent. 💚💛 #grandparentsday #Year5 #OpenClassrooms #stpatricksparramatta #learningtogether #catholicschools #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #BelongToSomethingGreater #cspd2026 #100yearsofcatholiceducation #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #catholicschools
14 Aug 2026
From Facebook
💚💛 Some Things We Never Outgrow 💛💚 Our Year 5 students may be getting older, taller and more independent, but some things never change, especially the joy of having your grandparents come to school! 🥰 Open Classrooms gave our students the chance to proudly share their learning and a little glimpse into their everyday school life with some of their biggest supporters. No matter how much they grow, there will always be something special about sharing these moments with Grandma, Grandpa, Nan, Pop or another treasured grandparent. 💛💚 #grandparentsday #Year5 #openclassrooms #stpatricksparramatta #LearningTogether #CatholicSchools #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta#BelongToSomethingGreater #cspd2026 #100yearsofcatholiceducation #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #catholicschools
13 Aug 2026
From Facebook
💚💛 Our Greatest Cheerleaders 💛💚 There is nothing quite like sharing what you have been learning with someone who is always ready to celebrate your achievements! Our Year 4 students loved welcoming their grandparents into their classrooms for Grandparents Day, proudly sharing their work, their learning and a glimpse into their school life. The smiles said it all. Grandparents really are some of our greatest cheerleaders! 💚💛 #BelongToSomethingGreater #cspd2026 #100yearsofcatholiceducation #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #catholicschools #grandparentsday❤️ #Year4 #openclassrooms💙 #stpatricksparramatta #LearningTogether #catholicschools #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta
13 Aug 2026
From Facebook
🕰️ Way Back When Wednesday 🕰️ It's time to head back into the St Patrick's archives! Can you guess what year these photos were taken? 👀 Here are a few clues... 🇦🇺 Julia Gillard was Australia's Prime Minister. 🎵 Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen was the biggest song of the year in Australia. 🕺 Gangnam Style had people everywhere attempting that famous dance! 🎬 The Avengers and The Hunger Games were among the movies everyone was talking about. 🏉 The Melbourne Storm defeated the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14–4 in the NRL Grand Final. 📱 The iPhone 5 arrived, and Instagram was still relatively new! Do these clues take you back? More importantly, do you recognise any familiar faces in our St Patrick's photos? Can you guess the year? Yes, you are correct! It is 2012 💚💛 #stpatricksparramatta #schoolmemories #Throwback #100YearsOfCatholicEducation #catholicschools #BelongToSomethingGreater #cspd2026 #100yearsofcatholiceducation #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #catholicschools #WayBackWhenWednesday
11 Aug 2026
From Facebook
💚💛 A Window Into Year 3 💛💚 Grandparents Day gave our Year 3 students the perfect opportunity to open their classroom doors and share a little of their school day with some very special visitors. There was plenty of excitement as students proudly shared their learning, their classroom and the things that make Year 3 special. For our grandparents, it was a lovely window into a world they hear so much about, and another special memory to share with their grandchildren. 💛💚 #BelongToSomethingGreater #cspd2026 #100yearsofcatholiceducation #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #catholicschools #GrandparentsDay #Year3 #OpenClassrooms #stpatricksparramatta #LearningTogether #catholicschools #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta
10 Aug 2026
From Facebook
💚💛 Look How Much We've Grown! 💛💚 There was plenty of pride in our Year 2 classrooms as parents and grandparents were invited in to share in our students' learning. It is hard to believe that these children began their school journey only two and a half years ago! From those first days of Kindergarten to the confident Year 2 learners they are today, they have grown in so many wonderful ways. For parents and grandparents, Open Classrooms provided a special opportunity to see that growth firsthand and celebrate just how far their little ones have come. 💚💛 #GrandparentsDay #Year2 #stpatricksparramatta #LearningTogether #catholicschools #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #BelongToSomethingGreater #cspd2026 #100yearsofcatholiceducation #learningisfunatstpatsparramatta #catholicschools