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- 19 September 2006
Callaghan College
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Mr JOHN MILLS (Wallsend) [6.02 p.m.]: Last week in the western suburbs of Wallsend there was a triple celebration for public education, in particular for all three campuses of Callaghan College—Wallsend, Waratah and Jesmond. First, the Minister for Education and Training went to Callaghan College last Friday to officially open the new modern facilities at all three campuses; second, Jesmond campus celebrated the golden jubilee of Jesmond High; and, third, Waratah campus celebrated its centenary. The Minister participated in the jubilee celebrations at Jesmond and Waratah during her visit. Waratah campus is in the Newcastle electorate, which is represented by my colleague Bryce Gaudry, who attended throughout the celebrations.
Perhaps more important as a cause for celebration than the new building works, important though they are for the local community, are the improved educational opportunities and outcomes for students that have flowed from the establishment of Callaghan College. The development of Callaghan has been a big win for students in Newcastle's western suburbs. The idea of combining Wallsend, Waratah and Jesmond was a local solution proposed by local people, especially the three principals—John McConnell, Robyn Cragg and Wilma Simmons—the District Superintendent of Education, Laurie Tabart; and Deputy Superintendent of Education, Louise Ferguson. It was proposed that the years 11 and 12 senior campus be at Jesmond, and the two middle school campuses be at Wallsend and Waratah.
The proposal was endorsed by parents, and I commend Margaret Bryden, the foundation chairperson of the combined parents and citizens associations, for her assistance and for gathering the opinions of the parents. The proposal was approved by the then Minister for Education, John Aquilina. The college was designed to rekindle the desires of local students to complete secondary education, to provide the widest curriculum choice available in the region, to enhance the educational opportunities for western corridor students by linking the college with the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Institute of TAFE, via a memorandum of understanding, and to use specialised teaching methods to encourage students and increase their desire to learn.
The parents and families love the college, the teachers are enthusiastic supporters of the new pedagogy and students are returning to public education in that part of the Hunter. Retention rates have improved strongly. Callaghan College represents a new and better way of delivering secondary education and developing the potential and aspirations of each of its 2,300 students. The concept was developed to its current success by foundation principal Graham Boyd, his successor Pam Wellham, and by recent campus principals Ian Nebauer and Peter McBeth and their teaching and support staff. I have to declare an interest: I serve as a community member on Callaghan College council. I acknowledge the contribution of the council, representatives from the community, the university, the Hunter Institute of TAFE, business, parents, staff and, of course, the students. The buildings have involved an investment of $11.7 million in public education in Newcastle, a promise kept by the Government which it made when Callaghan was formed. The parents expect good facilities and the students certainly deserve them.
The Jesmond High School golden jubilee was celebrated last weekend. The Newcastle Herald published a magazine, 50 years—Walking up school hill, dedicated to the jubilee. The official opening of the then named Jesmond Secondary School took place on Friday 12 April 1957. The first students attended the school in about September 1956. The Minister for Education at the time was Bob Heffron, who later became Premier. At the opening in 1957 he said that the school was one of the most expensive schools in New South Wales. At the opening the choir sang a piece from Brahms and an upbeat sea shanty. The Herald reported that there were "so many speeches".
Last Friday there were but four speeches, two by student leaders, and an enchanting performance of Pachelbel's "Canon" by Alana von Finster. The fiftieth anniversary celebrations proceeded and concluded with a dinner in the town on Saturday night. I congratulate the organising committee led by Ann Venaglia, Pam Marley and Clive Maddocks, on the celebrations, the great commemorate book High on a Hill, a DVD, and the commemorative port. It was a wonderful entertainment and a fitting tribute to the proud history of Jesmond Secondary School, Jesmond High School, Jesmond University High, and now Jesmond Campus Callaghan College.
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