Head of Primary Message, Term 3, Week 5 2026

Celebrating Literacy and a Love of Reading at AISHK

At the Australian International School Hong Kong, we believe that literacy is one of the most powerful gifts we can give our children. Strong literacy skills open doors to learning, creativity, communication, and lifelong success. Equally important is fostering a genuine love of reading, helping children discover the joy, wonder, and inspiration that books can bring.

Reading is about far more than learning to decode words on a page. Through literature, children develop vocabulary, comprehension, critical thinking, empathy, and imagination. Books allow young readers to explore different cultures, perspectives, and experiences, helping them better understand both the world around them and their own place within it. Research consistently shows that children who read regularly not only achieve greater academic success but also develop stronger social and emotional skills.

At AISHK, nurturing a culture of reading is a key part of our educational philosophy. We strive to create opportunities for students to engage with quality literature every day, whether through classroom learning, library visits, author studies, reading groups, or independent reading. We want every child to see themselves as a reader and to experience the excitement of becoming immersed in a great book.

One of the highlights of our literacy calendar is Book Week, which we celebrate in alignment with schools across Australia. Book Week is a cherished annual event organised by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA), recognising and celebrating outstanding Australian children's literature. Each year, the CBCA announces a shortlist of exceptional books that showcase the very best in storytelling, illustration, creativity, and literary excellence.

Throughout Book Week, our students explore the shortlisted titles and engage in a range of activities designed to deepen their appreciation of literature. This week we had experiences in the library and beyond; visiting authors, a spotlight party, the little library, teddy bears picnic and of course the much-awaited Book Week costume parade which ends the week on Friday. A big thank you to Ms O’Connor and her Book week team who have put this together this whole week!

At AISHK, we are proud to celebrate Book Week and the valuable work of the Children's Book Council of Australia.  This is a firm favourite of our students and families. A big shout out to the families that spent time this week preparing costume designs and innovative ideas – Maybe it is time for parents to dress up too?