Epsom Primary School teachers and students take up summer reading challenge

The school set up a summer reading challenge to ensure students maintained their reading skills during the holidays.

Teacher Kylie Warfe helped organise the challenge. She said there were a lot of benefits to picking up books in the holidays.

"You can get that summer slide (away from reading), so we wanted make sure students were still involved in reading and doing it every day," she said.

"It's something that a few schools do.We have had a big focus on it the last two years because research shows consistent reading helps develop skills.

"It also keeps them interested and knowing about what's going on the world.

"We had a pretty traumatic time with bushfires this year, so there were resources and books parent can use with kids that helps their reading as well."

Ms Warfe said the teachers eagerly led by example for the summer reading challenge.

"We're role models and are doing (the challenge) as well," she said.

"The teachers are reading books they are planning on teaching kids and showing there are lots of ways to read, whether it is a map or a painting guide, reading comes in all shapes of forms.

"Students get certificates for every 50 nights they read and we have a celebration at the end of the year.

"Last year Bendigo children's author Chris Kennett came to school to do activities with them which was good."

Prep teach Gill Davies said a lot more spent parents were reading with their children at home than in years gone by.

"A lot more preparation goes on behind the scenes and there more teaching happens in the home (now)," she said.

"Parents are teaching letters, sounds, numbers and reading books with their children.

"(At Epsom Primary School) we're strong on reading 300 nights in the year, which is very achievable. Everyone knows that's our school goal."