All About Cork: 12 schools launch initiative to instill a love of reading books

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025 - 07:01

Darragh Bermingham

welve schools in Cork recently launched an initiative in Ballyphehane to instill a love of books and reading skills in the community.

The One Book One Community initiative brings students, families, and the community together in a celebration of brilliant books and the power of reading.

Tim and Sarah O’Neill, from Glasheen GNS, read ‘The Last Bear’ together — the selected book for One Book One Community initiative 2025.

Local schools, including Glasheen Boys ND and Glasheen Girls NS, were among the 12 that launched the initiative this year at an event in Presentation Secondary School Ballyphehane on Thursday, March 27. initiative has been organised by the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) teachers in the local area.

This year, the initiative will see one class group from each of the schools read the same book at the same time.

Glasheen Boys NS pupils Rory and Finn with parents Kathriona Devereux, who is an Echo columnist, and Deborah Hickey with (rear middle) Tara Leen, Home School Community Liason teacher, and Tim O’Neill, principal at the launch.

Children, parents, and teachers from the 12 schools were present at the launch on March 27.

The book that has been chosen for the children to read this year is ‘The Last Bear’ by Hannah Gold.

This book highlights the topic of global warming but also draws a picture of the wonderful connection that can develop between children and animals.

Charlie, Jackson, and Ava with, front, Kincso and Moira from Greenmount NS at the launch.

The children were introduced to the book by guest speaker, Kathriona Devereux, an award winning broadcaster, science communicator and columnist.

Pupils Holly and Tyler with (rear) Casey and Christian from Presentation Secondary School at the launch of the Home School Community Initiative at Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane.

The 12 schools involved in the initiative are Bishopstown Community School, Glasheen Boys NS, Glasheen Girls NS, Coláiste Éamann Rís, Gaelscoil an Teaglaigh Naofa, Greenmount NS, Morning Star NS, Presentation Secondary School Ballyphehane, Scoil Maria Assumpta, St Mary’s of the Isle PS, Togher Boys School, and Togher Girls School.