Thursday mornings are filled with excitement for years 1 – 3 at ACG Parnell. Much to their delight, the names of six year 12 and 13 Prefects from the Senior end of the College are included on the roll call, for a buddy-reading initiative.

Mrs Beeton, Dean of the Primary School, says the effects of this system have been very positive for both ends of the spectrum. “The younger children enjoy the contact with the senior students who they look up to as role models. Their enthusiasm for reading has increased no end.”

“After all, anything we can do that encourages reading and literacy in this age group yields positive results further down the track.” Mrs Beeton went onto say.

The College Prefects, similarly have got a lot of out this shared time with the younger children. With a sense of nurturing, and honing their teaching skills they have extended this programme of their own initiative to run chess and art clubs, as well as games. The senior art students also help with projects in the primary art classes, watching and learning from the younger child who have less of a sense of boundaries when is comes to creativity.

Principal of ACG Parnell, Larne Edmeades notes, “This interaction contributes greatly to the College as a whole, not only for all the students involved but also enables the primary teachers to get to know our senior students and to appreciate all that they have to offer.”

“School shouldn’t just be about developing the academic side of our children and young people, but it should develop the whole person. Students learn to give back to the community, to others in the school, to those younger than themselves. Developing a sense of purpose and empathy are important life skills.”

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