The Rotary Club of Nelson Bay has been working with primary school children, on the Tomaree Peninsula for some 10 years
 
 
 
Reading lets us travel to a world of imagination, allows us to learn, experience different scenarios, other cultures and increases our vocabulary.
We’ve been encouraged and supported by the school principals who are acutely aware of the necessity of the students to read and interact in the classroom to the best of their ability. Each child has their reading level assessed prior to our involvement and reassessed at the end of term to evaluate their level of improvement.  The results have been amazing with considerable improvement at all levels.  We go to the schools and with the supervision of the teachers are able to spend 30 minutes of one to one reading with each child either once or twice a week.  Currently we have 25 volunteers working with the children in the three schools. While we continue to assist with the recruitment of volunteers the schools are in the process of fundraising to ensure the program continues in its very successful format.
 
This year we were very pleased to receive a District Grant. This has allowed us to donate reading materials and dictionaries to the schools which are used for the program.
If the child is not reading well by year 3 the chances of him/her catching up are very slim.  With the Rotary Foundation’s area of focus being Basic Education and Literacy we address that area, as well as helping children to become productive citizens.
 
A very enjoyable, fulfilling, engaging and worthwhile program!
P.P. Helen Ryan.