PICTURES: Volunteers bring delight to Thurso pupils at spring reading sessions
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Miller Academy Primary was an extra busy school on two recent Wednesdays, due to 60 family members volunteering to read to the children.
The event was part of the school’s ‘Spring Story Socials’ and headteacher, Jacqueline Budge, said that the hardworking team at the school is pleased to see an increase in the children’s reading attainment.
Mrs Budge continued: “The children were overwhelmed by the amount of volunteers that came forward and it was so lovely to have 22 dads and uncles in to read, in addition to mums, grannies and aunties.
“Volunteers could bring in their own books but the school had also bought some lovely new books for them to read aloud too. The children were all so very proud to have a family member read to their class and all 60 of the volunteers wrote in their feedback that they want to do this again as it was ‘such a lovely experience’ and ‘so enjoyable’.”
Another of the volunteer readers wrote, “I wanted to stay for longer as they all listened and were so happy” and another added that it was “something I would like to have the opportunity to do again”.
The school has been focusing on its school improvement target of increasing the children’s attainment in reading and 71 per cent of volunteers felt that their child/children had been more engaged with reading over this last school year, which Mrs Budge said was such “a positive thing to hear”.
The headteacher also shared how grateful she is to the Miller Academy team and “in particular to P6/7 teacher, Mr Hale, who was instrumental in these sessions”. She was also very appreciative of the excellent support given to the pupils by their parents and families.
She added: “P7 volunteers welcomed all of our readers in such a lovely, mannerly way and escorted them to the different reading areas. We also gave each reader some daffodils as a thank-you for coming in to read to us.”
