For many young Victorians, last week marked the start of their schooling journey.
Every Prep student in state schools will be given a new library bag and bundle of books to encourage a love of reading.
Almost 60,000 Prep students in more than 1200 schools will be given the new bags.
As well as five children’s books, the bags include a water bottle, a ruler, booklets, flyers and stickers with useful information and resources.
The picture on the front of the bag is the work of Ana Lívia Maiorino, who won a competition to design this year’s Prep Bag.
Her design aims to encourage Prep students to make new friends and learn new things on their first day of school.
“The first day of Prep is a huge step for students and parents, we want to make sure that the education students receive at school continues at home,” Education Minister James Merlino said.
“Reading to your child is a great way to spend time together – it increases a child’s vocabulary and understanding of the world while helping them make the link between spoken and written words.”
