And the winners are...

Mayor Penny's Reading Challenge for 2010 is over and on Friday we surprised several children around the district with their prizes for taking part in one of the best ever years. We had 800 entries (over 100 more than our previous best) from 590 children. 38 different schools were represented plus there was a good entry from our local Home-schoolers. Well done everyone.

The bike this year went to 5 year old Madison Eldridge from Orewa North Primary School. Second place went to Gitanjali Bhatt from Silverdale and third place to Abbey Barnes-Wright from Tomarata.

This year we also recognised the School who had the most entries based on their school roll. Leigh Primary School pipped Tomarata Primary School by just 1% (both schools had over 40% representation). Tauhoa Primary School were third, with Parakai and Orewa North close behind.

We would like to say a huge congratulations to the winners and well done to everyone who took part (Certificates will go out to all participants early in the third term).

And finally THANK YOU to our loyal sponsors and supporters who have been with us since the challenge started seven years ago. Free Ride'n' in Huapai, the Whangaparaoa and Orewa Lions Clubs and the Rotary Club of Warkworth. We couldn't do this without you.

Hello Rodney Schools

The Mayor's Reading Challenge has kicked off and as part of the Challenge both the Mayor and some of our Children's Librarians are visiting lots of schools in the district.

Yesterday Mayor Penny Webster visited Matakana Primary School (with Warkworth Children's Librarian Anne) and then Tauhoa Primary School in the afternoon.

This morning Penny and Anne were out at sunny Leigh Primary School reading, talking about the Challenge and answering questions (there were some really brilliant questions, such as "What is the oddest thing you have ever had to do as Mayor?")

This afternoon, Kumeu Children's Librarian is heading out to Waimauku School to talk to the Year 7 and 8 students.

Wednesday will see the Rodney Libraries Roadshow visit Coatesville Primary school with Mayor Penny popping in to say hello there as well.

There are also visits planned for Snells Beach, Red Beach and Kaipara Flats. If there are any other schools out there that would like a visit from either the Mayor, the local librarians or one of your Councillors as part of the Mayor's Reading Challenge, please email anne.dickson@rodney.govt.nz.

Mayoral Reading Challenge Coming in May

Rodney libraries are launching their seventh annual reading challenge during May which is aimed at improving the literacy skills of local children.

Rodney Mayor Penny Webster is leading ‘Mayor Penny's Reading Challenge’ which encourages children to ‘read for half an hour a day during the month of May.’

Last year 32 Rodney schools took up the challenge to participate, and the event is expected to be popular once again this year.

Mayor Webster is a strong supporter of the challenge, and says that as winter approaches and the nights get darker, reading in bed is a great way to keep warm.

This May she will be visiting Rodney schools to promote the challenge, the benefits of reading and to share stories with school pupils.

It’s simple to take part in the challenge and children can enter through their school or at a Rodney Library. Entry is open to children in Years 1 – 8. Children just need to read for half and hour a day during May and have their reading verified by a parent, caregiver or teacher. Reading can be done at home, at school or anywhere else. Sharing stories can be a fun family activity involving parents, grandparents and children.

Children who visit one of the seven Rodney Libraries and take books out twice during May also get an extra entry into the prize draw.
All children who complete the challenge will receive a certificate and will go into a prize draw to win a bike or other prizes.

The reading challenge is supported by the following sponsors: Free Ride’n - Huapai, Lions Clubs of Orewa, Whangaparaoa Rotary and Warkworth Rotary.

Mayor Penny's Reading challenge in May

The Mayor’s Reading Challenge is back with a new name. Mayor Penny Webster challenges Rodney’s school-aged children to “Read half an hour a day for the month of May”.

Last year, 692 Rodney school-aged children and teenagers completed the challenge. This year Mayor Penny hopes that even more children and teenagers will join the challenge and reap the benefits that daily reading brings.

The challenge is open to all Rodney school-age children and teenagers. Those who complete it are awarded a certificate and go in a draw to win a bike or consolation prizes. Going into a Rodney Library twice during the challenge earns an extra entry in the prize draw.

The Challenge has been sponsored by Rotary and Lions Clubs and Freeride’n’ bike shop.

Entry forms are available from Rodney Libraries and participating schools, or can be downloaded as a pdf from the library website. Children who live a long way from a library may phone a library and get the entry form posted to them.