Stories, events and highlights
There's always something to celebrate at our school! From exciting events to proud moments and everyday wins, here are some of our highlights.
Events
School events bring learning to life and help shape our school culture. They help students build confidence, connect with others and celebrate their progress. Events also give families and NSW schools learn more about NSW CER and about how to support children's reading.
Our school events may include:
- online webinars for schools
- online webinars for partner-families
- online author talks for partner-schools
- acknowledgement of and resources for significant events such as Book Week, Indigenous Literacy Day, National Booklovers Day, National Simultaneous Storytime, National Close the Gap
- online welcome sessions for families and schools being supported by NSW CER
- online Supervising Teacher Induction Days for our partner school staff
- online NSW CER information sessions
Contact us to learn more about our events.
2026 Events
World Read Aloud Day
World Read Aloud Day is celebrated every year on the first Wednesday of February. This year it will be celebrated on February 4th 2026.
World Read Aloud Dayis a global movement run by non-profit organization LitWorld, to celebrate literature as a way to build bonds through reading together. It’s also a time to fight for higher literacy rates around the world. Reading aloud is a key that unlocks a lifetime of connection, happiness, and success for children. Research shows reading aloud builds powerful neural pathways that contribute to both emotional wellbeing and academic success. When a child is read to, they are transported to a world of possibility, joy, and magic, and learn to form deep connections to themselves and the people around them.
Marking World Read Aloud Day can be a great way to encourage a love of literature in the next generation!
2025 Events
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day honours the men and women who have served and sacrificed in wars and armed conflicts throughout history. It is observed each year on November 11. This year, is the 107th anniversary of the Armistice signed in 1918, which brought an end to the fighting in World War I.
At 11:00 a.m., we pause for one minute of silent reflection to honour those who have served and those who gave their lives. Many people choose to wear a red poppy, the traditional symbol of remembrance. From 10:30 a.m. to 11:02 a.m., all flags are flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.
On Remembrance Day, people often say, “Lest we forget” and recite the final lines of the Ode of Remembrance:
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
These words remind us to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served, and to ensure that the lessons of the past arenever forgotten.
School Counsellor and School Psychologists Recognition Day
This year, School Counsellor and School Psychologist Recognition Day is on Friday 7th November 2025.
This year’s theme, 'Together, We Grow', celebrates the role of school counsellors and psychologists in creating the conditions for growth—within students, school communities, and the profession itself. It highlights the power of strong therapeutic relationships, the value of collaboration with colleagues and supervisors, and the personal and professional qualities that foster resilience, connection and development.
NSW CER is so proud of the amazing work our NSW CER School Psychologist team does to support students and schools across NSW. Their expertise, compassion and passion truly goes beyond all expectations. Thank you - together we grow!
International Children's Book Day
NSW CER staff celebrated International Children's Book Day by sharing heir favourite books. They had lots of fun reading, sharing and laughing.
NAIDOC Week
In Term 3, 2025 NSW CER hubs joined together to acknowledge the history and events of NAIDOC week. We demonstrated our committment to supporting and advocating for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community by signing our Partnership Agreement. We sang, danced, created art and shared stories.
Led by our Community Partnerships Officer Crystal, we were privileged to host members of the AECG, including special guest, Raymond, President of NSW AECG, for the signing.
NSW CER is committed to closing the gap in educational outcomes and striving for all learners, especially those who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, to reach their potential, and become empowered through the transformative journey of learning to read.
Our Dubbo team created a NAIDOC week video collage that we would love for you to watch: click here to view the video
Children’s Book Week is the Children's Book Council of Australia's (CBCA’s) key highlight national event of the year. This year’s celebration will run from Saturday 16 to Saturday 23 August.
The 2025 theme is Book an Adventure! And NSW Centre for Effective Reading loves an adventure, especially a book adventure. Across our sites we all love books, and hope that everyone is able to be transformed by the journey - or adventure - of learning to read.
Westmead AECG Partnership Signing
On Wednesday 23 October AECG representative Margy Pitt attended our Westmead hub for a Partnership signing and cake cutting. This event was an opportunity to formalise the NSW CER's commitment to supporting our Indigenous students. NSW CER values our ongoing partnership with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Incorporated (NSW AECG) and is committed to continuing to strengthen this relationship.
Welcome sessions for 2026 Semester 1 support
Welcome session for partner schools (2026 Semester 1 Support)
Date: Thursday 4 December
Time: 3:30-4:00pm AEST
Our welcome sessions for schools are hosted online and are an opportunity to learn more about the 12 months of support that will be provided for those students accepted for support in 2026. This is an opportunity to ask questions and meet our staff.
Welcome session for families (2026 Semester 1 support)
Date: Thursday 12 February 2026
Time: 3:30-4:00pm AEST
These online welcome sessions for families of students accepted for 2026 Semester 1 support share the process for the 12 months of support. Families are invited to ask any questions, and to meet our staff.
World Teachers Day 2025
On World Teachers’ Day, 31 October, we celebrate the amazing educators who make such a difference across New South Wales. Our NSW CER teachers go above and beyond every day — supporting up to 20 schools each with their deep expertise and unwavering commitment to improving the teaching of reading.
They’re always there to offer expert advice, practical guidance, and tailored resources, helping teachers and schools build stronger, more confident readers. Whether they’re answering a quick question, leading professional learning, or developing new materials, their passion for supporting quality teaching shines through in everything they do.
We’re so lucky to work alongside such dedicated professionals who inspire excellence and make a lasting impact on students and educators alike.
Thank you to all our teachers — today and every day — for the incredible work you do.
2025 Book Week
Staff at NSWCER love Book Week - a chance to share our passion for all things books and reading (and dressing up).
2025 NAIDOC Week
2025 International Children's Book Day
NSW CER staff celebrated International Children's Book Day by sharing heir favourite books. They had lots of fun reading, sharing and laughing.
2025 Online author talk with Deborah Frenkel, author of 2025 Simultaneous Storytime book 'The Truck Cat'.
Students were asked to design their own cover for 'The Truck Cat'. Here are some of the wonderful designs sent in from Sutton Public School.
"This has truely changed our child's life! They now love reading, want to come to school and we have seen a real change in their confidence. We are so lucky to have experienced this support from NSW CER.” — a parent of NSW Centre for Effective Reading student
Have a story to share?
Do you have a great school moment to share? We’d love to hear from you!