
Students from Our Lady Queen Of Peace School, Greystanes, were served up a book tasting experience in which they were asked to sample a variety of genres and create a menu of preferred stories.
The table setting, which included placemats with images of plates and cutlery, added to the fun of the “tasting” experience.
Teacher Kym Romanous said the goal was to expose the youngsters to a broad range of genres and also focus on the strategy of skimming and scanning a text.
“It was great to see the students so engrossed in books and excited about what they might read in the future,” she said.
Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta Executive Director Greg Whitby said teachers engender a great love of books by sharing their own love of reading, and by introducing them to new authors, different genres and guiding them to material that will capture their attention.
“The work of all schools is to continually seize upon opportunities that promote the power of reading and books,” he said.
“I have always encouraged schools to allow students to chose their own books, where possible, as a way of nurturing reading especially among boys.”
Mr Whitby said one of the best head starts parents can give to their children is to read to them daily. Take an interest in what they like and find whatever is available – books, magazines, cartoons, etc.
“Point out words and ask questions. And if your child is slow to reading, talk to his/her teachers. Find out what is being read in the classroom, how often they visit the library and ensure teachers know what interests your child so they can help to find suitable books,” he said.
View and download photos from this event
-
16 Mar 2026
From Facebook
💙 Thank You OLOP Families! 💙 A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the OLOP Family Back-to-School Social at Chipmunks Prospect! 🎉 It was wonderful seeing so many families come together, the kids making new friends, and everyone enjoying a fun evening of play and connection. Events like these are such a great way to build our school community and start the year on a positive note.16 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Just a quick reminder in case you haven’t had a chance to register your child yet. This April School Holidays, our theme is “AI Explorers,” where our Little Inventors will discover how Artificial Intelligence works and then use it to create their own AI-powered games and digital animations. 👉 Register here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/260602493077861 Throughout the day, children will explore how AI learns from data, how smart systems recognise patterns, and how these technologies are used in everyday life. They will then apply these ideas through guided activities that encourage creativity, logical thinking and problem-solving. Our program blends digital creativity with practical activities, ensuring a balanced mix of screen-based and non-screen learning. Children are encouraged to bring their own device (laptop/chromebooks or iPad) if available; however, shared devices will be provided during screen-based sessions. ✨ Special Early Bird Offer ✨ As a thank-you to our past participants, we’re offering 20% off (almost $40 off) the full price for early registration Discount Code: EBAP Offer expires: 20 March 📍 Locations and Dates (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) OLQP Greystanes Ages 8+: 9 April Ages 5–7: 10 April The Ponds Ages 8+: 13 April Ages 5–7: 14 April