National Celebration of Literacy

On 16 March 1999, the then Commonwealth Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs Dr David Kemp, announced Australia’s inaugural National Literacy Week which was held between 6 to 10 September 1999, coinciding with International Literacy Day on 8 September. Following the success of National Literacy Week the Commonwealth, in conjunction with States and Territories, agreed to increase the focus on numeracy and in 2001 the event became known as National Literacy and Numeracy Week (NLNW).

In 2007 ALEA, in partnership with the Australian Association for the Teaching of English, was asked by the Department of Education, Science and Training to manage a major event to be held during NLNW called National Reading Day.

The objectives of National Reading Day were to:
• Facilitate the use of rich literature in the classroom and foster enthusiasm for reading amongst primary and secondary school students
• Provide teachers with best practice teaching strategies to develop students’ reading skills
• Promote increased community awareness of the importance of developing school students’ literacy skills.

In 2010 National Reading Day activities were extended across the whole of NLNW and the event was renamed the National Celebration of Literacy.

Schools are able to register their intention to participate in the National Celebration of Literacy online and have access to a range of resources to help them in their planning. They are also encouraged to upload photos, stories or links to share with others on the website. All schools that register are placed in a draw for some fabulous prizes donated by a range of sponsors.

The National Celebration of Literacy website is hosted by the Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations at www.literacyandnumeracy.gov.au Go to the website to view information and examples which will get you started on developing activities for your classroom. The website will also tell you about the next National Celebration of Literacy and give you details on how to register your class or your school.