Book Week 2021 Goes Virtual 

As Learning from Home continues, schools find unique ways to celebrate Book Week in 2021. (23-27 August 2021)

Learning from Home has not stopped primary schools across the Diocese from celebrating Book Week. Since 1945 the Children’s Book Council of Australia has promoted the love of reading for pleasure. This year’s theme was ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’. 

At St Brigid’s Primary School, Kyogle, students were offered a wonderful and creative opportunity to celebrate from home with a virtual Book Week celebration. During class Zoom sessions, students dressed up and spoke about their favourite character or book. There was a high level of engagement from the community on the school’s Facebook page as St Brigid’s staff shared their favourite book.

‘We wanted to give the students a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the wonderful world of books in Book Week. Using the online platforms was a great way to involve parents and the wider community,’ said Principal Tony Hunter.

At St Joseph’s Primary Kempsey, it was a whole community experience as students, staff and families collaborated to create two videos celebrating the love of reading. Creative and colourful costumes featured in a video that included students, families, staff and pets dressed as book characters. The second video was an original light-hearted view of staff members' favourite children's books. 

‘Both these videos are a great way to connect with our students and their families during what can be a challenging time for our community. We hope these videos made the students smile,’ said Assistant Principal Krystal Brady. 

Finally, at St Francis Xavier Primary School, Woolgoolga students were treated to a virtual book reading, a dress-up parade via Zoom and a virtual tour of the NSW State Library. Teachers dressed up and danced to Mark Ronson’s ‘Uptown Funk’ in a video montage uploaded to Facebook.

‘I loved the teachers dancing. It was so funny,’ said one Kindergarten student.

‘The State Library virtual excursion was so cool,’ said one Year 6 student. 

Learning from Home is an excellent opportunity to encourage students to read and explore different places, different times, different worlds.