This year I was privileged to play a small role in the Premier’s Reading Challenge WA – as a Challenge Cheersquad member. My job was to cheer on the readers across the state who did an amazing job of reading for pleasure – with more than 360 000 books read and logged in 16 weeks.

Yesterday I attended a ceremony at Parliament House where prizes were given to the readers in each age group who read the most books, as well as to four readers who were randomly drawn (a lovely initiative because while quantity is wonderful, simply participating is equally wonderful), and then also to the schools in different enrolment categories who had the greatest participation.

What I loved about yesterday’s event was the joy in the room from everyone from the young readers, to the educators, members of the challenge staff, politicians, including the Premier and the Minister for Education, and other MPs who came along because a child from their electorate was there. A real recognition that reading matters – and, specifically, that reading for pleasure matters. It was also lovely to join fellow cheersquad members, Chenee Marapodi , who did an awesome job as event MC, and Norman Jorgensen.

You can see some lovely official photos on the Premier’s Facebook post about the event. 

And if you are not sure why I am SO excited about the Challenge being back in WA, not only do I love reading and seeing children read, but as an educator I know  that there is evidence backed research  evidence that Reading for Pleasure is more significant than a raft of other factors in a child’s educational success. That is reading for pleasure leads to better outcomes not only in literacy, but across all subjects (yes, even science and maths). And, of course, not only does reading make you smarter, but it makes you nicer – ie it builds emotional regulation, empathy and more.

So, the Premier’s Reading Challenge is not just about counting books, and feel good moments like yesterday’s – it is an investment in the future of our young people, and thus in our whole society.