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    MEDIA RELEASE: Glencore Supports Reading Program Across Eight Regional Queensland Schools

    Jul 12, 2019 0

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
    12 July 2019

    The Books in Homes Program will continue in north west Queensland for another five years thanks to Glencore extending its support by funding eight primary schools in the region. With over 4,000 students participating each year, this translates into Glencore delivering over an estimated 60,000 new and quality books-of-choice between 2019 and 2023. Furthermore, an additional 5,760 books will be donated to the participating school libraries and 3,300 books will be awarded to children for improved attendance, excellent citizenship towards their peers, accelerated reading results and who are generally “Caught Being Good”. That’s a total of almost 70,000 books supplied over five years to children in remote, regional and Indigenous communities in north west Queensland.

    Glencore first started supporting Books in Homes in 2007, and to date has funded over $1.1 million and provided over 160,000 books to children in schools living in disadvantaged circumstances, remote or Indigenous communities, including schools in Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Camooweal and Dajarra. Of those 160,000 books, over 143,000 books-of-choice went directly to the children and their families. This continuity of commitment to providing children with access to the Books in Homes Program so they can build their home libraries has forged a strong bond between the students and the Glencore staff who attend the Book Giving Assemblies as Role Models during Terms 1, 2 and 4 each year when the Program operates. On these occasions the Glencore representatives read stories to the students, encourage and inspire them to read, as well as demonstrate that reading, accompanied by strong core values such as persistence, is the pathway to educational success. Indeed, reading forms the basis of every other subject including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). In the process, Glencore has established itself as a strong proactive community leader that is not only helping facilitate the foundations of literacy to enrich children in school but also benefit them in later life and in their future professions.

    In regard to the importance of having books in the home, a 20-year study of 27 nations by researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno, found that having as few as 20 books around the house can significantly impact a child’s future education. The more books added, the greater the benefit.1

    In addition, in the Australian Kids and Family Reading Report (2015) conducted by Scholastic Australia and YouGov, 91% of the children surveyed said their favourite books are the ones they have picked out themselves. Indeed, 89% of the children surveyed said they were more likely to finish reading books they have picked out themselves.2 Having children choose their own books is tantamount to the philosophy and mission of the Books in Homes Program, which offers books across four reading levels and that predicates Glencore’s recognition of the value of their sponsorship within their community.

    Peter Large, CEO from Books in Homes Australia, spoke about the value of Glencore’s long-term association with Books in Homes and the sponsored schools:

    “On behalf of the children and their families that receive Books in Homes courtesy of Glencore, we are very appreciative of the contribution Glencore makes to Books in Homes Australia assisting to improve educational outcomes in the regions in which Glencore operates. Feedback from the schools and families involved paints a positive picture of the children’s books-of-choice increasing their engagement in reading and participation in their school environment. Glencore’s partnership with Books in Homes aligns with their goal to create sustainable communities in the areas in which they operate. Books in Homes is proud to be a partner of Glencore to help build better outcomes for families in regional and remote Australia.”

    Thank you and congratulations, Glencore, for helping to build better communities and a better future for so many young Australians.

    ENDS

    Media Contacts:

    Peter Large, CEO
    Phone: 02 9434 2488 or 0411 405 405 
    Email: peterlarge@booksinhomes.com.au

    Julie Ditrich, Communications Coordinator
    Phone: 02 9434 2488 or 0412 445 511                                                          
    Email: julieditrich@booksinhomes.com.au

    REFERENCES

    1 Science Daily. (21 May 2010). Books in home as important as parents’ education in determining children’s educational level. ScienceDaily. University of Nevada. Retrieved on 28 January 2019.

    2 Scholastic Australia., & YouGov. (2015). Australian Kids and Family Reading Report. Lisarow: Scholastic Australia. Retrieved on 23 January 2019.

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