Reading initiative turns over new leaf  

CHILDREN at a Northside school were delighted to be given the opportunity to take part in a reading initiative which started last week. 

St Mary’s National School on Windsor Avenue in Fairview is among seven schools taking part in the Time to Read programme. 

ESB is partnering with Business in the Community Ireland for the fifth year of the programme.  Eighty ESB staff members are volunteering to read with second class students for 30 minutes each week for 20 weeks.

The programme aims to increase enjoyment and confidence in reading while encouraging self-discovery for the children. As part of the programme, the children will visit the local library, and will be welcomed to the nearby ESB Head Office on East Wall Road.

Eibhlín McGarry, Principal at St Mary’s Girls’ National School, said they were delighted to welcome their partner volunteers from ESB to work with the students. 

“The Time to Read initiative not only gives our children the valuable opportunity to improve their reading fluency and comprehension but the warm, caring, positive environment in which the programme is presented opens up a world of interest in and love for reading in the long term,” said Ms McGarry.

Pat O’Doherty, ESB chief executive, said literacy is a key building block of life-long learning. 

“The Time to Read initiative exemplifies ESB’s commitment to improving educational outcomes as part of our overall corporate responsibility programme,” said Mr O’Doherty.