The 2026 Premiers' Reading Challenge has come to an end, and it has once again proved popular for our avid readers.
The challenge is an important annual event that plays a vital role in building lifelong literacy skills, offering students far more than a simple checklist of titles. At its heart, the challenge is a deeply personal journey, one that encourages participants to read for their own pleasure and individual development. By asking students to set goals, track their reading and explore diverse genres, the initiative empowers young people to discover the transformational joy of books on their own terms.
The primary aim of the challenge is for students to complete a set number of books over the course of the year, logging and recording their progress online. Tailored specifically for secondary students, the program is open to participants from Years 7 to 10, requiring each student to read at least fifteen titles throughout the challenge's duration. This target strikes an ideal balance between achievable goal-setting and meaningful literary engagement, helping students establish consistent reading habits during crucial academic years.
This year, our SHC celebrated an outstanding level of commitment and passion from its readers. We recorded 63 students successfully completing the entire challenge, with an extraordinary total of 2,476 books logged as completed across the student body. This massive tally reflects not only the required fifteen titles per finisher, but a broader enthusiasm for reading that extended far beyond the minimum requirements.
The top ten students all received a badge for their efforts. We congratulate the following students, who placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively:
| Name | Year | Total of Books Read |
|---|---|---|
| Mylah Hunt | Year 9 | 139 titles |
| Annabel Hunt | Year 7 | 117 titles |
| Caitlyn Bellet | Year 9 | 91 titles |
Such an outstanding achievement highlights the dedication, curiosity and persistence of SHC students. Committing to independent reading amid busy academic and extracurricular schedules is a remarkable feat, and all participating students deserve high praise for their incredible effort and enthusiasm throughout the challenge.
