More than 28,200 students from across Western Australia competed in this year's Premier's Reading Challenge.
Students collectively read and logged 300,142 books during the challenge, which ran from May to September and was open to all students from Kindergarten to Year 10.
Participants came from 845 schools and were encouraged to develop a love of reading while fuelling their imagination and supporting their literacy education.
More than 220 school staff members stepped forward as Challenge Champions to promote the program within their schools.
Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery awarded the prizes today during a ceremony at Parliament House to mark the end of the Premier's Reading Challenge 2022.
Students participating in the challenge were required to read at least 12 books to be in the running to win major prizes.
This year's theme was 'Reading can take you anywhere'. Student prize winners and their families will soon be on their own journey after each winning a WA family travel voucher valued at $3,000.
The top six schools according to their size received a certificate of recognition and a creative workshop prize. Awesome Arts will deliver the workshops in November and December 2022.
Weekly prizes were also awarded throughout the challenge, which was open to students from public, Catholic and independent schools.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Congratulations to the many students who participated in the 2022 Premier's Reading Challenge, and unlocked the wonderful world of reading a massive 300,142 times.
"That's an incredible number of stories and adventures, laughs, twists and scares, trials and triumphs in just four months.
"When this challenge was cut by the previous Liberal National Government in 2014, many teachers, parents and students were left disappointed.
"It's exciting that year's challenge was such a huge success.
"Reading really took students anywhere and I wish this year's age category prize winners a happy family holiday in Western Australia."
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"It was fantastic to see the overwhelming interest from students who took on this year's revamped Premier's Reading Challenge.
"To have more than 28,000 students from 845 schools take part is incredible.
"It is so important that students develop their literacy skills from a young age. Reading helps with this, and the more students read, the more they build on the important skills they are learning at school.
"Congratulations to the prize winners, and all participants, on expanding your literacy skills and igniting your imagination by reading a truly impressive number of books."
Education and Training Minister's office -6552 5700
Premier's Reading Challenge 2022 prize winners
Schools:
Category: 0 to 35 students
Winner: Trayning Primary School
Category: 36 to 200 students
Winner: Southwell Primary School
Category: 201 to 400 students
Winner: Christmas Island District High School
Category: 401 to 600 students
Winner: Good Shepherd Catholic School
Category: 601 to 1,000 students
Winner: Baynton West Primary School
Category: 1,000 plus students
Winner: Rostrata Primary School
Students:
Category: Kindergarten to Year 2 - most books
Winner: Tabitha Thirunavakkarasau, Winthrop Primary School
Category: Kindergarten to Year 2 - prize draw
Winner: Kyra Pravindh, Aspiri Primary School
Category: Years 3 to 5 - most books
Winner: Mia Grey, Baynton West Primary School
Category: Years 3 to 5 - prize draw
Winner: Frankie Williams, Richmond Primary School
Category: Years 6 to 8 - most books
Winner: Aditi Sheth, Karrinyup Primary School
Category: Years 6 to 8 - prize draw
Winner: Yilia Wang, Methodist Ladies College
Category: Years 9 and 10 - most books
Winner: Kalyani Pamarthy Rao, Southern River College
Category: Years 9 and 10 - prize draw
Winner: Arina Nosova, Churchlands Senior High School
