A Grade 1 learner from Buck Road Primary School in Lotus River has made it to the nationals of the SA Literacy Association annual Reading Competition.
Brenda Tommy, grandmother of Cassidy Hendricks, said the seven-year-old loved books from an early age.
“We are quite excited; she is very excited but a little nervous. She has loved reading from the age of two and she has a lot of books.
“She is one of four learners who will represent the Western Cape in October at the nationals.”
Tommy, who comes from an educational background, said her granddaughter always asked her to take videos of her while reading her favourite books.
“I am from an educational background; I am qualified as a high school teacher and my last school I taught at was Steenberg High.
“I taught for 16 years as the technology teacher for Grade 8 and 9. I’ve always been passionate about learning.
“Through social media I discovered the SA Literacy Association, there are a lot of people unfamiliar with the organisation.
“Their aim is to obviously promote literacy among all Grades of children.”
Due to her grand-daughter’s love of reading she entered the Grade 1 learner in the literacy competition.
“Because she loves to read and always asked me to make a video of her reading, I submitted a video. “She entered the competition in March and she received the results in May to say she had made it through to the next round.”
The bookworm scored 92% for her submission and made it onto the semi-final round.
“We received the news last week that she has proceeded to the national round,” said Tommy.
The seven-year-old was happy to read from one of her many books at home while the People’s Post caught up with the family.
She simply said: “I like learning new words. I like animal books and like to read.”
