Book Week is a celebration of stories, imagination and creativity, but helping children love reading isn't just something that happens during one week of the year. The good news? It doesn't take expensive resources or hours of extra time. Often, it's the small, recurring habits that make the biggest difference.
1. Let them see you read
Children are more likely to value reading when they see the adults around them enjoying it too. Whether it's a novel, magazine, recipe or newspaper, showing that reading is part of everyday life helps build positive attitudes towards books.
2. Read together, even after they've learnt to read
Many parents stop reading aloud once their child becomes an independent reader, but shared reading continues to support vocabulary, comprehension and a love of storytelling well into the primary years. It also creates moments to connect and talk about ideas.
3. Give children the freedom to choose
Not every child will be drawn to classic novels, and that's okay! Graphic novels, comics, fact books and magazines all count. When children can explore topics they're genuinely interested in, reading becomes something they want to do rather than something they have to do.
4. Make reading part of everyday life
Ten or fifteen minutes before bed or reading together after school helps establish reading as a regular habit. Consistency matters more than long sessions.
5. Talk about stories
Asking simple questions like "What surprised you?" or "Who was your favourite character?" encourages children to think more deeply about what they've read. These conversations also help develop confidence and comprehension.
6. Celebrate curiosity, not perfection
Children don't need to finish every book they start or read at the same level as their peers. The goal is to nurture confidence and enjoyment. When reading feels positive, children are more likely to keep coming back to it.
Wondering how schools help children become confident readers?
At Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), engaging literacy experiences, dedicated teachers and well-resourced libraries help students build the skills and confidence to thrive as readers and learners.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
-
09 Sep 2026
From Facebook
STEM Showcase 👩💻👨💻 Thank you to Mr Rainert, Mr Pestano and our brilliant STEM Group students for presenting their work to us during our recent STEM Showcase! Students from across Primary grades had the opportunity to explore a range of student work created by our STEM Group, including STEM challenge projects, interactive Scratch programs, Ozobots and RVR+ rovers. Students were able to see how coding, design and engineering can be used to create, test and improve exciting solutions. During the Showcase, there was a short demonstration of the school’s 3D printer. Students were able to see how a digital design becomes a physical object using Tinkercad. We look forward to presenting a similar Showcase later in the year, targeted towards our Infants students.07 Sep 2026
From Facebook
As we reflect on our mission here at Good Shepherd Primary, we are guided by scripture and the wisdom of inspiring leaders 💚 Isaiah 1:17 calls us to "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed." Taking this message to heart, our wonderful staff recently put faith into action, living out Mother Teresa’s reminder that "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." Demonstrating this spirit of everyday kindness, our team generously donated their own resource money and personal time to gather together and make fresh sandwiches for Carevan Blacktown who take pride in supporting vulnerable members of our local community. We are so proud of our Good Shepherd staff for leading by example and showing how small acts of love can make a big difference! 🥪💚🥪💚🥪 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
Latest News More news
09 Sep 2026
From Facebook
STEM Showcase 👩💻👨💻 Thank you to Mr Rainert, Mr Pestano and our brilliant STEM Group students for presenting their work to us during our recent STEM Showcase! Students from across Primary grades had the opportunity to explore a range of student work created by our STEM Group, including STEM challenge projects, interactive Scratch programs, Ozobots and RVR+ rovers. Students were able to see how coding, design and engineering can be used to create, test and improve exciting solutions. During the Showcase, there was a short demonstration of the school’s 3D printer. Students were able to see how a digital design becomes a physical object using Tinkercad. We look forward to presenting a similar Showcase later in the year, targeted towards our Infants students.
07 Sep 2026
From Facebook
As we reflect on our mission here at Good Shepherd Primary, we are guided by scripture and the wisdom of inspiring leaders 💚 Isaiah 1:17 calls us to "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed." Taking this message to heart, our wonderful staff recently put faith into action, living out Mother Teresa’s reminder that "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." Demonstrating this spirit of everyday kindness, our team generously donated their own resource money and personal time to gather together and make fresh sandwiches for Carevan Blacktown who take pride in supporting vulnerable members of our local community. We are so proud of our Good Shepherd staff for leading by example and showing how small acts of love can make a big difference! 🥪💚🥪💚🥪 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
06 Sep 2026
From Facebook
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! To all of our Good Shepherd Fathers and Father Figures, we wish you a very Happy Father’s Day! Thank you for everything that you do for your children.
04 Sep 2026
From Facebook
TEACHER AIDE APPRECIATION WEEK! A massive thank you to all of our incredible teacher aides at Good Shepherd. Each day, our TA’s work with our students across the school to support them in the classroom and on the playground, demonstrating their care and compassion, and their commitment to helping each child be their very best. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
03 Sep 2026
From Facebook
A quick update from us 💚 You may notice a few changes to how we share moments from Good Shepherd Primary School on social media, and we wanted to explain why. We love celebrating our students and school community, their learning, achievements, creativity, friendships and special moments. In response to the recent online safety guidance from the eSafety Commissioner, and as the digital landscape continues to change, including the increasing use of artificial intelligence and the potential misuse of images online, we are taking a more mindful approach to sharing student photographs publicly. Protecting our students’ privacy and online safety remains a priority. But this doesn’t mean we’re going quiet! We’ll still be sharing the wonderful things happening at Good Shepherd, including sporting events, classroom learning, liturgies, excursions, performances and celebrations. You may simply notice that we are more intentional about the images we share and how identifiable individual students are. Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate the ever-changing digital world. We want to continue celebrating our school while ensuring our students’ privacy and safety remain at the heart of what we do. Same Good Shepherd. Same community. Just a little more mindful about how we share it 💚 Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School 💚
03 Sep 2026
From Facebook
30 Aug 2026
From Facebook
A Prayer for Nepal ❤️💙 Loving God, Be close to all those caught in the devastation of the floods in Nepal and Tibet. Comfort those who have lost loved ones, strengthen those waiting anxiously for news, and guide rescuers and emergency workers as they search for survivors. Give courage to displaced families and compassion to communities offering shelter, food and care. May those who are missing be found, and may those who mourn know they are not alone. God of mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.
28 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Book Week has been a huge success at Good Shepherd this week! Students have loved sharing their love of reading across the school, with a range of events happening across the week organised by our librarian, Mrs Joseph. Students have enjoyed: 📕 An author talk by acclaimed author, Kristin Darell 📘 A performance by Perform Education, on the shortlisted books from 2026 Book Week 📗 A colouring in competition and guessing competition 📙 And of course, a parade, featuring a whole range of costumes worn by students, teachers and little brothers and sisters Our STEM club also got into the spirit of book week, by conducting lunchtime races using BeeBots, featuring images of shortlisted books on the top. We have never heard our students cheer so loudly for books before!
28 Aug 2026
Our schools are cracking the reading code
Do you remember how you learned to read? For a vital skill that is linked to all other learning, it’s surprisingly difficult to explain how to go about learning it.
26 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Happy Principal’s Day Ms Knezevic! Good Shepherd came together yesterday to have a belated celebration for our school principal, Ms Knezevic. The students presented her with cards and drawings, and our kindergarten students decorated her office with donuts! Thank you Ms Knezevic for all that you do for the students, staff and families at Good Shepherd.
20 Aug 2026
Six Habits That Help Children Develop a Love of Reading
Book Week is a celebration of stories, imagination and creativity, but helping children love reading isn't just something that happens during one week of the year. The good news? It doesn't take expensive resources or hours of extra time. Often, it's the small, everyday habits that make the biggest difference.