The Reading Crusade takes place every second year and is brought to you by Christchurch City Libraries in conjunction with the CRFU (Canterbury Rugby Football Union).
In March 2013 Christchurch City Libraries and the Crusaders joined forces to deliver the Reading Crusade! Crusaders, librarians, parents and teachers worked in partnership to encourage reading.
The 2013 Reading Crusade is finished. Congratulations to all the kids who went on a Reading Crusade!
Christchurch City Libraries are delighted to announce that approximately 3500 children from 109 different schools completed reading logs, either individually or with their school/class. 57 per cent of the entrants were girls and 43 per cent were boys. The most frequently occurring age of participants was 10 years.
Schools with the highest participation rates
The two top participating schools were St Albans Catholic School, which had 100 per cent participation, and Roydvale Primary School, which has a roll of about 260 children, but registered 426 reading logs.
Top prizes
- Jacob Cowie (9 years) of Linwood North School won a stack of books as tall as his height.
- Kirkwood Intermediate School won a stack of books to the height of their librarian’s knees.
Thanks to the librarians, teachers, parents and children involved in this year’s Reading Crusade.
Download your congratulations certificate [1MB PDF]
How the Reading Crusade worked
- Children downloaded their reading log from the Christchurch City Libraries’ website or got a paper copy from their teacher or local library.
- Children read four books of their choice.
- Children completed a reading log. This reading log was verified online by a teacher, parent or librarian.
- Every school who registered automatically received a prize giving invitation for an adult and student of their choice.
How to get involved
The Reading Crusade can be incorporated into any part of the school day, including school camps, or as part of your literacy programme. Just take time out to read.
Visit your local library. Christchurch schools are welcome to contact their local community library to arrange a visit. We now also have new mobile library vans called Library to Go.
If you are interested in having a representative from Christchurch City Libraries come out to a staff or syndicate meeting to promote and discuss details of the Reading Crusade or if you have any questions please contact Kathryn Hartley, Learning Events Co-ordinator on 941 6647 or email us.
Critical dates for teachers
- February 2013
- Christchurch City Libraries sent you information and entry particulars.
- Monday 11 March 2013
- Reading Crusade began and ran until the end of term one (Friday 19 April 2013).
- Monday 13 May 2013
- The prizegiving ceremony is held (second week of term two).
Information for parents
You could win a stack of books as tall as you are!
How the Reading Crusade worked
- Children downloaded their reading log from the Christchurch City Libraries’ website or got a paper copy from their teacher or local library.
- Children read four books of their choice.
- Children completed a reading log. This reading log needed to be verified online by a teacher, parent or librarian.
- Every child who completed a reading log (and got it verified online) was entered into the draw to win tickets to the prizegiving ceremony on Monday 13 May.
Important dates
- Monday 11 March 2013
- Reading Crusade began.
- Friday 19 April 2013
- Reading Crusade entries closed.
- Monday 13 May 2013
- The prizegiving ceremony is held.
Want to help your child find some great books?
Take a look at our interactive reading guides or some of our book lists on our catalogue. Our Kids Blog also has lots of reviews and competitions. Books that you read to your child also count so check our parents’ reading lists or the lists on our catalogue.
The Reading Crusade is proudly supported by:
Previous Reading Crusades
View photos of previous Reading Crusades on Flickr.