Students at the Francis Lettsome Primary School (FLPS) surpassed their 2014 reading record as part of the annual ‘Winners Read and Readers Win Reading Contest.

One hundred and ten students competed and collectively read 1,371 books during the five-week competition designed to encourage students to read for pleasure. The school surpassed last term’s reading record of 1,139 books.

The contest was sponsored by Harneys and students were challenged to read at least 10 age-appropriate fiction or non-fiction books within a five-week period. Students were then required to complete a book report for each book read and reports were reviewed by their classroom teachers. Participants were recognised at a prize-giving ceremony on the school grounds on November 13.

The term’s stand-out reader for the second term in a row is Miss Amia Wheatley, a 10-year-old Grade 3 student, who read a total of 68 books.

“I want to be the top reader in my class and the school,” said Amia. “I was really excited when I broke my old record of 36 books!”

Other top readers include Grade 5 students Kishelle John, Jaynay Thomas and Daniella Jeffery who read 58, 46 and 33 books respectively; and Grade 2 students Sierra Potter, Aireainia Harridial, Shadae James and Treveonte Freeman who read 43, 39, 38 and 33 books respectively.  

The student readers were recognised for their participation.  Each student who read ten or more books was given a certificate and won an additional prize. Jaguar House was also recognised for the second year in a row as the house that read more books than any other.

The prize-giving ceremony featured readings by 5th Grade Teacher Mrs. Alfreda Gordon-Wheatley and Associate at Harneys Mrs. Tamara James-Maduro. The Drama Club also performed a dramatisation on literacy.

Harneys also made a special presentation of literacy instructional supplies to the school including a six-person listening centre, read-along story book sets and educational listening games.

Director of Marketing Mrs. Susanna Henighan Potter, who made the presentation on behalf of Harneys said, “Literacy is one of the focus areas which Harneys and FLPS have identified for our partnership. We are very pleased to present the school, and particularly the teachers, with these supplies which we hope will aid the development of literacy skills among FLPS students now and for many years to come.”

The presentation was received by Principal Mrs. Deborah James who thanked Harneys for its continued support of the school.

Harneys began sponsoring Francis Lettsome Primary School in 2004. Over the past 10 years, the firm has made improvements to the school facilities, purchased playground equipment, sponsored enrichment activities and volunteered at school events. In 2013 the firm partnered with the Ministry of Education to open a computer lab and purchased over 3,000 books for the school library.

The Ministry of Education and Culture is committed to creating a “Culture of Excellence” throughout all the Territory’s educational institutions.