14 August 2026
Mandurah Baptist College has become the first school to be inducted into the Premier’s Reading Challenge Hall of Fame.
Mandurah Baptist College was awarded the honour at the challenge presentation event at Parliament House, after it recorded the highest number of books read in its category for three consecutive years.
Individual prize winners shared the morning celebrating with the Premier.
Students across WA turned the page on another successful Premier’s Reading Challenge, with almost 30,000 students reading a record-breaking 494,700 books this year.
Students from Kindergarten to Year 12 took part in the annual challenge, which encourages young people to discover the joy of reading and develop positive reading habits.
The outstanding achievements of students and schools were celebrated at the awards presentation earlier this week.
Students were recognised across year group categories for the most books read, while schools also competed, based on the number of students they have, to see which could read the most books.
The challenge encourages students to explore a wide range of reading material, including books, eBooks, short stories, graphic novels, poems and talking books.
This year, students also enjoyed a new ‘Story Time’ video series featuring host Alton Walley and student performers reading books by Western Australian authors and illustrators.
Premier Roger Cook said the challenge encouraged students to discover the joy and confidence that comes from reading.
“Reading opens the door to imagination, creativity and lifelong learning,” he said.
More than 1,400 staff volunteered as challenge champions this year, helping students across WA take part.
Prize winners of the 2026 Premier’s Reading Challenge were:
Schools (based on size)
- 0 to 35 students – Kalannie Primary School
- 36 to 200 students – Bindoon Primary School
- 201 to 400 students - Bramfield Primary School
- 401 to 600 students - Harmony Primary School
- 601 to 1,000 students - Riva Primary School
- 1,000 plus students - Mandurah Baptist College
Students
- Kindy to Year 2 - Naomi Abhilash, Woodland Grove Primary School
- Year 3 to 6 - Gurbaaz Singh, Wellard Primary School
- Years 7 to 9 - Anya Aryaputri-Edi, Perth Modern School
- Years 10 to 12 - Lily Sanderson, Mandurah Catholic College