Head of Learning & Teaching- 5 September
Lauries Primary Curriculum Update - Jon Tracey
Real Men Read – A Night to Reflect and Inspire
As part of our Book Week celebrations, the Real Men Read Evening was a standout event that brought together boys and their fathers or significant male role models to celebrate the joy and importance of reading. The evening was filled with warmth and connection—from the sausage sizzle outside the Chapel to engaging reading activities in the library.
More than just a fun night, it was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on how we, as a school community, can continue to nurture a love of reading in our boys. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Cowen Carlish (9 Killian) for dedicating his time and talent to making the night more memorable with his outstanding photography.
The Power of Books
A key moment of the evening was a presentation by Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes mental health and wellbeing through reading. Their message was clear: books are not just for learning—they are tools for emotional growth, resilience, and connection.
Research shows that regular reading:
- Strengthens literacy, vocabulary, writing, creativity, and general knowledge.
- Supports academic success, emotional wellbeing, and long-term financial stability.
- Just 20 minutes of reading a day can expose a child to over 1,000,000 more words each year than reading for only 10 minutes.
Role Models Matter
Families also viewed a video message from Luke Bateman, former NRL player, who shared his personal journey from hiding his love of books to becoming a proud advocate for reading. His story challenged outdated stereotypes and reminded us that reading is a strength—especially for boys.
How Parents Can Support Reading at Home
Parents play a vital role in shaping reading habits. Here are a few simple ways to encourage reading at home:
- Start early-good habits begin young.
- Value reading in everyday life-at home, school, and among friends.
- Ensure access to books-library membership is free!
- Set aside regular time for reading.
- Talk about books-share your favourite stories and authors.
- Celebrate all forms of reading books, audiobooks, graphic novels, fanfiction, BookTok and more.
Keeping the Momentum Going
To continue building on the enthusiasm from Real Men Read, Trisha Templeton is launching a new initiative:
Lauries Literature Legends – Primary Book Club!
At the heart of every great reader is a love of stories—and one of the best ways to nurture that love in young learners is through book clubs. In our primary classrooms, book clubs are more than just reading groups; they’re vibrant spaces where literacy grows through conversation, curiosity, and connection. Following the success of our secondary book club, we’re excited to launch Laurie's Literature Legends for our primary students. Starting in Week 8 and running fortnightly, this book club gives children the chance to explore new texts and share their love of reading with friends.
Social interaction is a key driver of literacy development. When students feel safe and supported in a group, they’re more likely to take risks with language, try out new vocabulary, and engage deeply with texts. Book clubs also foster a sense of belonging and excitement around reading, turning it into a shared adventure rather than a solitary task. Whether they’re exploring picture books, early chapter books, or graphic novels, our primary students are discovering that reading is not just something you do—it's something you share. Through Lauries Literature Legends, they’re not only becoming stronger readers, but more confident communicators and thoughtful classmates.
So next time your child brings home a new book, ask them what they talked about. You might be surprised by the insights they’ve gained—and the joy they’ve found in reading together.
If you would like more information, please contact Trish Templeton on ttempleton@slc.qld.edu.au
Meeting Details:
- Day 8 – Second Break in the Library
- Next meeting: Wednesday 17th September (continuing for the remainder of the year)
We look forward to seeing many of our young readers there!
Jon Tracey
Head of Teaching and Learning (Primary)