National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 21st successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

By facilitating NSS here at SJV we aim to:

• promote the value of reading and literacy,
• promote the value and fun of books,
• promote an Australian writer and publisher,
• promote storytime activities in our library and community
• and provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents in this wonderful event.

This year we are particularly fortunate to have a VIP reader for our school. I’m very pleased to advise that Mr Edgar (Ed) Kruzins has agreed to be our ‘celebrity’ reader. Although you may not know his name, Ed has only just retired from being the Director of the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex (CDSCC) out at Tidbinbilla for the last 20 years. The CDSCC is run by CSIRO on behalf of NASA as part of its Deep Space Network, and tracks spacecraft from all over the world, including the Voyager missions and the current Mars missions.

Ed will also bring along with him some special memorabilia from his time at the Deep Space Station Complex for this occasion, will share stories about different Missions and he is available to any questions they may have in relation to “What’s in SPACE?” The students are getting very excited about participating in this special worldwide event.

Happy reading! 

Joanne Reed/Assistant Principal