National Simultaneous Storytime 2026

It has been a busy and exciting time in the library, with students enjoying Luna Roo, the Kangaroo Baller as the text for this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime which ties into the growing excitement around the 2026 Soccer (Football) World Cup.

Classes joined thousands of children across Australia to share in National Simultaneous Storytime, celebrating the joy of reading together. It was wonderful to see students so engaged in a shared story experience. We then built on this with the lively book Hat-Trick Harri, the Cheetah World Beater which tied in perfectly with the students’ enthusiasm for soccer as they follow the hype in the count down till kick-off.

With so much interest in teams and players, Hat-Trick Harri, the Cheetah World Beater gave us a great opportunity to talk about what it really means to be part of a team. Students explored the idea of leadership, especially the role of a captain, and discussed the qualities that make a good leader, such as encouraging others, being fair, and leading by example. We also talked about being a good team player—working together, supporting classmates, and showing resilience even when things don’t go to plan.

It has been fantastic to hear students share their thoughts, with many recognising that leadership is not just about being the best player, but about helping others and contributing positively to the group.

We look forward to continuing these conversations and encouraging students to apply these skills in the classroom and on the playground.

Patricia Doonan
Teacher Librarian