Whitney Institute Middle School students “shared the joy and importance” of reading with primary students and seniors this week as part of the Bermuda National School Salute.

The Salute programme was launched by The Royal Gazette last year to help middle and senior school students to feel a sense of pride in their schools as well as their own achievements.

This Tuesday, Whitney students greeted traffic on East Broadway roundabout and engaged in several reading events throughout the day.

Participants of Whitney’s Feed the Need to Read peer reading event read to students at Francis Patton Primary, Harrington Sound Primary, Elliott Primary, Prospect Primary, Victor Scott Primary and West Pembroke Primary Schools.

They also read to the residents of senior residential care facilities Easter Lily, Lefroy House, Matilda Smith Williams, Packwood, and Westmeath.

Helen Paynter, English language and arts content leader, said: “Shared reading is an interactive reading experience. For the reader it reinforces the reading process and use of reading strategies. For the listener, it allows the enjoyment of material they may not be able to access.

“We wanted to do something that would connect the various members of our community with our students. Reading is something people always enjoy engaging in.”

Students of Whitney clearly enjoyed the experience.

Student Tai Amaral said: “I really enjoyed that class because I was working with my best friend, Jahquandae. The children were well behaved, and it really made me think about how I behave sometimes.”

Tyrone Butterfield, another Whitney student, said: “I used a mike to read the book and made different voices and sounds to make the story more interesting. From my perspective I believe the students enjoyed themselves. It was fun and I hope to do this again.”

Salute participants across the island worked with The Royal Gazette to create newspapers which are being published in the newspaper as well as online on our new website www.salute.rg.bm.

The newspapers have included articles on topics in education, economics, entertainment, environment, health, human rights, labour and law and politics.

Yesterday’s supplement, The Bermuda Institute Observer, included features about the school’s spring concert, money management tips for students and advice for tackling family issues.

The Royal Gazette is planning to launch a national school newsletter which will be on the website in the new school term. Part of the essence of the Salute is to offer a national platform for the young people of Bermuda to share their successes, hopes and visions for Bermuda.

The remaining school newspaper publication dates are:

• May 16: Berkeley Institute

• May 17: Mount Saint Agnes Academy

• May 18: Warwick Academy

• May 19: Saltus Grammar School

• May 20: Bermuda High School

• For more information follow #rgschoolsalute