Mil Lel Primary School students have read ahead securing their place as one of the top 55 schools in the state for the Premiers Reading Challenge, achieving 100% participation and outstanding achievement.

Mil Lel Primary School Principal Tamarin Condon was proud of her students.

“We were the only school in the portfolio from Mount Gambier through to Naracoorte which is a massive achievement,” she said.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is a literacy engagement program that was introduced by the Premier in 2004 to encourage students to read more books, enjoy reading and to improve literacy levels of students.

There are 14 awards the students are eligible to achieve based on their participation, from a certificate in their Foundation year of schooling to the “Hall of Fame for life” celebrating eight years or more of continuous achievement.

As a result of their achievements Mil Lel students were invited to attend a reception at Adelaide Zoo.

School Captain Caelin Hayman, Mrs Condon and Pastoral Support Worker Belinda Tilley attended the reception where they met South Australian Premier Steven Marshall and South Australian Education Minister John Gardner.

“For Caelin it was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Mrs Condon said.

“This year is a special year in the sense that Steven Marshall has had the first group of children that started the challenge in Foundation actually finish and get to that whole lot of achievement through their schooling.

“From a school level, we received a certificate and some books donated by Mr Marshall and Mr Gardener that will go into the school library.

“We are very proud of our students and thank all the community for supporting their children with reading.”