17 November 2023
Two sets of siblings have won top prizes for the 2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge, showing off their passion for reading.
Harley and Mia Grey, from Baynton West Primary School, and Maisha and Priyasha Kshetri (from Burrendah Primary School and Willetton Senior High School respectively) have claimed the four ‘most read’ categories.
The Premier’s Reading Challenge is an annual competition for all Western Australian students. Over several months, they are encouraged to read and log books, comics, song lyrics, manga and more.
Harley and Mia won the Kindy to Year 2 and Year 3 to 5 categories respectively, both reading more than 1600 books each.
Maisha and Priyasha Kshetri, and Harley and Mia Grey with their trophies.
Mia isn’t a stranger to picking up a book for the Premier’s Reading Challenge, finishing on top for a second consecutive year.
“I feel so proud about winning the challenge again. It made me feel good because I hope to inspire other children and all people in Western Australia to start reading and to read more,” Mia said.
“I love reading because I feel it improves my writing and my vocabulary. Reading teaches me so many things and increases my knowledge.”
Mia’s younger brother Harley also loves to read.
“I like reading because I like learning about new things and new worlds. I like sharing books with my parents and reading together makes me happy,” he said.
The Kshetri siblings also won big for this year’s challenge, with Maisha taking out the Year 6 to 8 category and Priyasha winning the Year 9 to 10 category. Both students logged more than 600 books each.
“Being announced as a winner for the Premier's Reading Challenge felt surreal, because I was astounded by where my passion for reading had taken me - the Parliament of Western Australia,” Priyasha said.
“Being able to celebrate my achievement alongside my sister was heart-warming, because we both encouraged each other to read throughout the challenge.”
Maisha wasn’t expecting to win, so it was a great surprise to her.
“I enjoyed how the challenge pushed me to read more books,” Maisha said.
“What I love most about reading is how it takes you to your own world, for the duration of the entire book. It feels like I’m in my own bubble and can’t be disturbed.
“I could be taken to India, or back in time, and I will just be sitting in my living room.”
Celebrating with friends and family, the four students were excited to be named the winners, walking away with a travel voucher and a trophy to mark their reading achievement. All four winners are excited to take part in the reading challenge again next year.
Other prize winners of the 2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge include:
Schools
Category: 0 to 35 students – Eneabba Primary School
Category: 36 to 200 students – Southwell Primary School
Category: 201 to 400 students - Balcatta Primary School
Category: 401 to 600 students - Good Shepherd Catholic School
Category: 601 to 1,000 students - Baynton West Primary School
Category: 1,000 plus students - Lynwood Senior High School
Students
Kindy to Year 2 prize draw – Imahni Ropiha Favel from South Thornlie Primary School
Year 3 to 5 prize draw – Emily Farrell from Coolbinia Primary School
Year 6 to 8 prize draw – Isabelle O’Shea from Floreat Park Primary School
Year 9 to 10 prize draw – Tom Macdonald from Beverley District High School