Australind Senior High School celebrates Book and Literacy Week with dress up day and other activities

Students at one local school have made the most of a yearly celebration of books and literacy, with a week filled with special dress and special guests.

Australind Senior High School commemorated the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book and Literacy Week with activities involving the entire community.

English teacher and literacy coordinator Jaymee Depiazzi organised this year’s events, and said the entire school community comes together for the week.

We celebrate our love of reading, story sharing, and creative writing, music making, reflecting on the contents of one’s own and other’s minds, and how literacy encroaches on all facets of life,” said Mrs Depiazzi.

A number of workshops were held at the school to commemorate the occasion. Bunbury Writers Group member Rob Manning held an exclusive class for the school’s creative writing students.

The Australian Bush Poets Association’s Poet of the Year Peter O’Shaughnessy headed a bush verse workshop with pupils, while renowned author and illustrator Gabriel Evans held an his interactive tutorial.

For those more visually minded, Perth-based artist James Giddy created a mural on the side of the school’s English building, with assistance being provided by Year 12 art students.

The finale of the school’s week was held on Friday, when students and staff alike took part in the Book Character Dress Up Day and Grand Parade. Pupils and teachers competed for prizes, with many going all out with elaborate costumes.

Ms Depiazzi said reading and literacy is a vital skill to navigate modern life and to function as an informed democratic citizen.