No, I’m not talking about water slides! The “summer slide” is a well documented decline in reading achievement that children can experience when they are away from school over the long summer break.

Continuing to read through the holidays, whether it’s books (print or online), magazines or graphic novels, will help set your child up for a great start to the new school year by maintaining or developing their reading skills.

Year 7 students who are returning to Heaton next year are encouraged to borrow up to six books from the LRC to help keep them entertained over the summer holidays. They can borrow from the LRC right up until the last day of the term, 20th December.

While Year 8 students can’t borrow from the LRC anymore, they can of course use their public library! Christchurch City Libraries are running a Summertime Reading Club over the holidays, open to kids up to 13 years old. Complete reading related challenges and be in to win prizes including an iPad mini 2, an Orana Park family pass, pool passes and movie passes. Find out more at http://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/summertime-reading-club/