More than 700 students, teachers, support staff and families from 14 primary schools marched through the Cessnock main street last Wednesday to launch the Paint The Town REaD program.
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Paint The Town REaD is a Cessnock Community of Great Public Schools initiative that promotes early literacy in the wider community.
Dressed in red and carrying balloons and signs, the group caused quite a spectacle when it crossed the intersection of Vincent Street and Cooper Street before marching to the Cessnock TAFE grounds for the program launch.
Families from Koe Nara (Schools as Community Centre) and Cessnock Multi-Purpose Children’s Centre also attended the day along with local early childhood service educators and directors, local families and several departmental dignitaries.
The event was also well-supported by Cessnock City Library and Cessnock TAFE. Childcare students provided readings for younger children.
Author Krysten Walker Cox read from her book, Didgeridoo Dreaming and Maurice Perry played the didgeridoo.
Cessnock Men’s Shed has made specially-designed book boxes that will be placed in local offices and shop fronts to encourage children to read while they are visiting local services.
Leader of the CCGPS Community Engagement Team and Paxton Public School principal, Megan Avery, said the day was a great success and a testament to all of the hard work and planning that had gone into the event.
“This is one way to make a teacher cry,” she said.
“So many months of hard work have gone into making this day possible and it has just been so worthwhile.”
Mayor of Cessnock, Cr. Bob Pynsent also congratulated the team on their effort.
“I applaud the entire committee for today’s achievements and their idea of making reading a prominent focus throughout the area.
“What a terrific initiative.”
View our full gallery of Paint The Town REad here.