“National Literacy and Numeracy Week aims to celebrate learning and raise awareness of the importance of reading, writing and maths skills. I encourage all schools in our community to get involved,” Mr Joyce said.

The literacy activities this year are A Poem in Your Pocket and Read for Australia. The numeracy activity is Reach for the Stars. A Poem in Your Pocket invites students to write a poem in any form they chose and share it with their friends, classmates, family and communities.

Read for Australia will provide all schools with the chance to participate in a simultaneous reading of the book Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabey at 2pm Friday, August 29.

The numeracy activity Reach for the Stars has the theme drinking water. Students will identify, count and measure the sources of water in their community.

Local schools wanting to get involved in National Literacy and Numeracy Week can access a large range of free online resources at www.literacyandnumeracy.gov.au.

Mr Joyce also encouraged families in the New England electorate to get involved in National Literacy and Numeracy Week.

“The government understands the important influence parents have on their children’s education, and I invite them to join in to celebrate literacy and numeracy,” Mr Joyce said.

Schools can also enter a draw to win prizes by completing a short survey, once they have completed all their activities. For further information about National Literacy and Numeracy Week visit, www.literacyandnumeracy.gov.au.