From tomorrow (February 14), NSW schools will be encouraged to participate in fundraising activities to support Tsunami relief.

The Premier of NSW, Mr Bob Carr and Minister for Education, Ms Carmel Tebbutt, said the NSW Department of Education and Training is supporting the NSW Teachers Federation's initiative - Tsunami Action Week - which includes teachers donating a half a day's pay to contribute to the UNICEF appeal. 

In addition, Dymocks Literacy Foundation, the principal partner of the Premier's Reading Challenge, has offered to support the relief effort, allowing schools to contribute through the Foundation. Funds raised will go directly to Plan Australia .

Dymock's program called Read to Rebuild was inspired by the personal donation of $500,000 by Dymocks Chair, Mr John Forsyth. This kick started the nationwide Dymocks Rebuilding Schools Appeal which will see at least five schools built in Aceh , Indonesia .

Mr Carr challenged the state's keenest readers to get on board and raise funds for this important appeal.

The Dymocks Literacy Foundation are providing NSW schools with information kits outlining how students can work together to successfully fundraise.

Funds raised by schools will be used to rebuild schools in areas affected by the tsunami.

"This initiative by NSW teachers and by Dymocks Literacy Foundation transcends borders," Mr Carr said.

"The teachers and students of NSW are reaching out to send not just money, but sympathy and goodwill to fellow students and teachers affected by this tragedy.”

"NSW schools are also supporting schools in Sri Lanka in a sister-school project initiated by the Secondary Principals' Council and Primary Principals' Association.

"To date over 50 schools from all over NSW have been 'twinned' with schools in Sri Lanka. And NSW schools have participated in fund raising activities, including cake stalls, collections, initiated and organised by students and teachers.”

The NSW Department of Education and Training is creating a website on the tsunami and its effects for use in NSW public schools, providing advice for principals as well as links to teaching resources.

Information about the Premier's Reading Challenge can be found by visiting the website at:

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/premiersreadingchallenge/index.htm 

In 2004, over 150,000 students were registered for the Premier's Reading Challenge; more than 35,450 students from 1,288 schools completed the Challenge.