Hillcrest Primary School in Pahiatua sits on top of the
hill in a beautiful setting and the pupils are enthusiastic about reading.
Recently
the Education Review Office commented on the improvement in the reading levels
at the school, and the Rotary Club of Pahiatua was moved to recognise that
effort. The Rotary Club of Pahiatua
celebrated this success with the staff and students at Hillcrest by presenting
nearly fifty Usborne illustrated dictionaries to the school to help the budding
word-smiths enjoy their reading even more.
The
dictionaries were presented by Past District Governor Bill Carthew, who happens
to be an old-boy of the school (when it was the district high school) and Past
President Glynis De Castro, Director responsible for Youth Programmes. Mr Carthew took the opportunity to reminisce
about some of the things that had happened when he was a boy - looking to
strength from the past. Ms De Castro, on
the other hand, took the opportunity to welcome the Year 8 students moving on
to Tararua College next year – in essence looking to strength from the future.
The
passion for books was obvious. After the
presentation of a dictionary to each student who represented Hillcrest School
it was difficult to regain their attention as each youngster explored the book
with interest and enthusiasm.