30 June 2026
Students at Beldon Education Support Centre discovered that stories can leap off the page and into real life, as teachers transformed literacy lessons into an alpaca-inspired adventure.
Students were full of awe as alpacas roamed their classroom.
As part of the Premier’s Reading Challenge, students explored alpaca-themed books and completed activities across literacy, art and science, helping them connect stories with hands-on learning opportunities.
Education Support Teacher Delia Williams said the initiative was developed as part of the school's whole-school literacy focus and aimed to encourage greater participation in the challenge.
"The alpaca theme was chosen in response to our students' love of all things animal, creating a highly motivating, sensory-rich context that was engaging and accessible for our students," she said.
Classes embraced the challenge in several ways.
Some became authors and illustrators, creating their own interpretations of stories, while others named alpacas, built sentences and incorporated literacy learning into sensory art activities.
The initiative culminated in a surprise visit from two actual alpacas, bringing the stories students had been reading to life.
Students listened to Macca the Alpaca, interacted with the animals and learned fascinating facts about their behaviour, diet and care.
Ms Williams said the experience had a significant impact on student engagement.
"Students showed increased motivation to participate in shared and guided reading and greater willingness to engage with texts," she said.
"A standout moment was seeing students' faces full of awe and wonder during the alpaca visit as they connected their reading experiences to a real-life context."
Deputy Principal Emma Ross said the initiative highlighted how schools could creatively adapt statewide programs to ensure all students could meaningfully participate and experience success.
The memorable experience is one example of the many creative ways students and staff embraced this year's Premier's Reading Challenge across the state, helping students discover that reading can be engaging, accessible and full of unexpected adventures.
The Premier’s Reading Challenge is now closed for 2026, with winners to be celebrated at an event later in the year.