Alpacas, maracas and book stackers galore! Students at St Patrick's joined over one million kids in Australia and New Zealand in gathering together to be read aloud the same book at the same time for National Simultaneous Storytime.

In its 19th year, the annual Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) event has been a huge success, with kids in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country all sharing in Australian author and illustrator, Matt Cosgrove’s book ‘Alpacas with Maracas’.

The colourful, fun event aims to promote the value of reading and literacy using an Australian children's book. This year’s book celebrates a positive storyline and themes and was chosen for its appeal to a modern and diverse audience, addressing key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6, and lending itself to craft and other learning activities – many of which were greatly enjoyed by our students throughout the day.

At St Patrick's, students and teachers gathered in our spacious breakout area to listen to our librarian read ‘Alpacas with Maracas’.

We also held themed book competitions for the K-2 and 3-6 year groups to promote the value of reading. Our infants enjoyed a colouring competition, with the winner receiving a much-coveted toy alpaca. Meanwhile, Years 3-6 took part in a book trivia competition where the winner received a special book prize.

St Patrick's was one of several CEDoW schools who celebrated National Simultaneous Storytime. Read more here.