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An east Auckland business is backing a local school’s efforts to improve its pupils’ literacy and encourage their love of reading.
Paper Plus Howick owner Ziahad Mohammed recently visited Bucklands Beach Intermediate School (BBI) with two of his staff members, Gordon and Lucy, who are both ex-BBI students, to host the school’s Book Fair.
The event took place in the school’s newly renovated library, called ‘Te Manawa’.
The school’s pupils and parents were invited to drop in to view the books for sale with the children being able to buy them to read, and their parents also having the chance to buy a book to donate to the library.
What made it more special was the name of their child would be recorded inside the donated book, and they got the privilege of being the first person to check it out.
“The Book Fair is helping the school lift up literacy,” Mohammed says.
“What they’re doing is buying the books to take away and we’re giving a donation and some promotions back to the school.
“From our side this is a good initiative, Gordon and Lucy are locals, and it’s a great idea to help the school.
“It’s nice that these local kids are coming back to the school to help with literacy.”
Lucy says she enjoyed returning to her old school to help with the Book Fair.
“Being a student here and being a massive reader when I was younger as well, it’s so great to come and give back to a school that helped me to learn, and on my reading journey.
“It’s good to see kids who have the same passion that you feel and helping them learn or grow their knowledge of books and their love of reading.”
She’s a big fan of the Percy Jackson and Hunger Games books and appreciates it that younger readers enjoy them also.
“There’s something very special and rewarding about choosing to pick up a book rather than something else such as your phone, or watching TV.
“It’s enjoyable but you’re also feeding your brain and rewarding yourself and doing something good. I always tell people that reading is like a movie in your mind.”
BBI deputy principal Debbie Allan says the Book Fair’s purpose is to inspire a love of reading among the pupils and allow them to explore a wide range of books in an exciting and engaging way.
“We also wanted to bring our parent community into our newly renovated library, Te Manawa.
“Our pupils loved discovering new authors and genres, and many walked away with books they were genuinely excited to read.
“Our librarian was keen to learn what books the students purchased, to consider purchasing similar books for our library.
“This was also a great chance for us to strengthen our connection with the local community by inviting local business Paper Plus Howick to run the fair.
“We’re especially thankful to them for their support, especially the two staff members who ran the event, who are former BBI students!”
