Reading Oasis

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What is Reading Oasis?

We take a van of student volunteers from the University of Otago to visit a local school to spread the love of reading with pupils from Years 1-3. The programme runs throughout semester with a stream on Tuesdays and another on Thursdays from 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM with transport from campus provided. If you’re a keen bean to join us, click the button above! Recruitment of readers happens at the start of each semester so stay tuned to our Instagram for that.

Reading Oasis is a programme that aims to foster imagination and a passion for reading for all kids. Teaming up with Catalytic Foundation, one of the world’s largest not-for-profit organisations, Reading Oasis in Dunedin is the only programme of its kind in the South Island.

Give every child the opportunity to love reading. Grab a book and sit down to read with little ones at a local school in Dunedin.

Requirements

  • You love reading

  • Ability to maintain personal boundaries and act in a responsible manner

  • Belief in the potential of young people

  • Willing listener

  • Able to ask for help when needed

  • Tolerance and openness to different world views

  • Sense of humour and fun

  • A background check via the Proctor’s office is required for this role

Time commitment

The time commitment is about 6-8 hours total over a semester.

This programme has two streams that run on two different days of the week: 11:15 AM -12:45 PM Tuesday or Thursday (includes 15 mins either side for travel). We do require that you only sign up if you can commit to all the sessions - that is you are free for all the Tuesdays or all the Thursdays that Reading Oasis runs for, as the kids will be expecting you! We use a rotating roster, so you'll likely only go once a fortnight on average, but if there is an absence we need others to sub in! If you can’t make training or three or more of the sessions, unfortunately, you’re not able to be in the programme.

Reading Oasis dates semester one:

TUESDAYS
Training: 25 Feb 11 AM - 12 PM
Session 1: 4 March
Session 2: 11 March
Session 3: 18 March 
Session 4: 25 March 
Session 5: 1 April
Session 6: 8 April
Session 7: 29 April
Session 8: 6 May
Session 9: 13 May
Session 10: 20 May

THURSDAYS
Training: 27 Feb 11 AM - 12 PM
Session 1: 6 March
Session 2: 13 March
Session 3: 20 March 
Session 4: 27 March 
Session 5: 3 April
Session 6: 10 April
Session 7: 1 May
Session 8: 8 May
Session 9: 15 May
Session 10: 22 May

If you have any further questions feel free to flick an email to volunteer@otago.ac.nz.