Tamworth Region Education Facilities

Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [12.10 p.m.]: I move:

That this House:

(1) notes the community consultation part of the Vision 20/20 consultancy process looking at future education delivery in Tamworth has concluded, with a recommendation to build a new school for special purposes on a greenfield site;

(2) notes that the consultants will return to Tamworth on 25 and 26 May 2007 to present their final recommendations to school principals, the broader community and the reference panel; and

(3) calls on the Government to include funds to construct a new Bullimbal school in the next State budget.

That consultancy process examined future education delivery in Tamworth and concluded last year with the project aiming to identify what public education services needed to be provided to meet the educational requirements of our community to 2020. This project was inclusive, it was designed to be participatory and it was based on engagement with all stakeholders. The resultant report is based on this consultative process, which included a large number of stakeholder consultations, world cafés and deliberative forums. The message that came through strongly was that Tamworth continues to be a regional success story, attracting more people and developing a robust economy based on agriculture, commerce and equine and country music activities. Education provision must reflect this situation.

It became clear very early in the process that schools in Tamworth will play a leading role in developing the young adults of the future and ensuring positive learning outcomes for all students, whether or not they proceed to tertiary education. Preparation for school and transition from primary to high school were identified as very important issues to address through the project. Ensuring that all students are school ready and that issues with learning difficulties or other barriers to full participation are identified and addressed prior to children starting school are paramount in ensuring good outcomes for all students. It is crucial that early and effective intervention is available for families that need additional support with parenting, health and community services. This is essential to ensure good educational outcomes for students.

The excellent quality and experience of learning attained by students of Bullimbal School for Special Purposes and Parry School are well recognised, and that was highlighted throughout the process. A clear need for these schools to expand and have their facilities upgraded was a prominent issue, with teachers and parents identifying a need to develop the schools as centres of best practice. The state of the school buildings and facilities is of great concern to the community, as is the capacity of both schools to cater for the growing demand for their services. Both have highly passionate and very talented teachers who deliver wonderful outcomes despite the limitations imposed by the physical nature of the schools. It is incumbent upon the Government to work with the education community of Tamworth to provide facilities that will allow it to progress as a centre of education excellence. The Government should work towards providing continuing improvement in the outcomes and experiences of education for all students in the region who have learning, behavioural or emotional difficulties.

Bullimbal School is located in north Tamworth, near the Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital. This school provides a caring, supportive and stimulating environment for children with moderate to high physical and intellectual disabilities. All staff in this outstanding school—who are very passionately led by Mal Donald—are dedicated and expert in the special needs of each student. They are supported by an active and supportive parent group. My grandmother, Mary Riley, was the first principal of the school back in the 1950s when it was established on another site and was known as the Tamworth Handicapped Children's School. She remained in that role for some 27 years, and still is a passionate advocate for giving people with disabilities the best opportunities. I take this opportunity to wish her a very happy ninetieth birthday on 16 March.

As a child who often visited my grandparents, I spent many happy hours with my grandmother at the school. I learnt that every child has the right to the best possible education, no matter what disabilities they may have. Sadly, however, the buildings have not substantially changed since my grandmother's days there. The Tamworth 2020 Learning Project identified several issues that must be resolved to allow Bullimbal school to meet its full potential. Despite having a significant waiting list to access its services, the school site allows no scope to expand the current level of enrolments, which is leased by the Department of Education and Training from a neighbouring respite care service, the Challenge Foundation. Lions Club volunteers built the school in the 1950s and, despite a number of minor renovations, the school is cramped, with little outdoor play area and limited adaptability within the small classrooms. Occupational health and safety for both staff and students are also a major concern. Currently 33 students are enrolled at the school—its maximum capacity.

As I highlighted previously, the Bullimbal school staff are dedicated, but they are working under quite difficult conditions. The school community works extremely closely with people in other government departments who assist students with day-to-day difficulties they may encounter, and many of these people have contributed significantly to the school. During 2006 Mrs Darien Homing, who is a speech pathologist from the Department of Aging, Disability and Home Care, was given the director general's award for her contribution to public education. Mrs Homing has assisted students at Bullimbal for 20 years. She was nominated by the school for the wonderful contribution she has made to the students, and also to the many other students with disabilities at the city's many fine public schools. This is a terrific example of cooperation between the Department of Education and Training and other government agencies. It also highlights the efforts of Bullimbal staff to deliver the best for their pupils.

In all, the school is served by the equivalent of 13.326 staff, some working on a part-time basis. All the teaching staff at Bullimbal hold either a degree or diploma in education and or a masters in special education. The school is structured to provide five classes of between six and eight students, with the classes organised around the ages of the students and their support needs. The staff are totally committed to delivering the best outcomes for students. Those completing year 12 are assisted in organising their applications for post-school funding with the Department of Aging, Disability and Home Care. In 2006 the students completing year 12 were successful in gaining places with Challenge Incorporated in Tamworth. Students at Bullimbal are involved in a wide range of activities to broaden their life experiences. In 2006 they participated in the biannual Creative Arts in Public Education Regional Spectacular. Three students in wheelchairs were involved in the stage two massed dance performance, assisted by four students from Tamworth Public School. Eight senior students were involved in choreographing their own routine to complement the stage five massed dance.

All the Bullimbal students have also been involved in a number of video projects, and sport is also an important ingredient in providing broad educational experiences. The school holds an annual sports carnival, utilising the facilities of the Riding for Disabled grounds in Tamworth. Students participate in a variety of events. Bullimbal pupils are also involved in other activities and excursions. They provide the students with an opportunity to develop and expand their skills and to reinforce the concepts that they develop in class programs. The hard work and dedication of school staff in implementing these programs has resulted in students achieving great results towards outcomes as stated in their individual learning plans. At the end of the last school year two students were awarded their School Certificate in Life Skills and two students were awarded their Higher School Certificate in Life Skills. Those results are a great credit to the students, their teachers and their parents, who combine to provide a rewarding educational experience.

Since I first raised the issue of a need to rebuild Bullimbal School for Special Purposes the New South Wales State Government has committed to this project in the 2007-08 budget, indicating a completion date of 2010. Strangely, during the recent Federal election campaign the Australian Government also committed the same level of funding. It is now critical that this funding is delivered and that work on providing suitable facilities for this key component of regional education delivery is expedited. Facilities at Bullimbal are markedly outdated and it is widely acknowledged by parents, teachers and staff that they do not meet the needs of students. It is of great concern that waiting lists are unable to be reduced due to size constraints at the present facility. Mainstream schools cannot support high-needs students. Additionally, the students need a large playground area to expend their energy as well as a sensory playground and room to encourage them to respond and engage. I can see many benefits in their being co-located. The proposal, which I am very supportive of, is to rebuild Bullimbal on the site of Tamworth High School.

One of Bullimbal's greatest strengths is its independence from other schools. It has a separate funding structure and does not compete with mainstream classes. I support community calls to have Bullimbal developed further as a centre of best practice. It is a vital place providing specialist support and training to Tamworth and the wider region, but we need to get construction started as quickly as possible. Four schools—Bullimbal, Parry, Tamworth High School and Tamworth West Public School—have had major issues with their premises. I fully support the longstanding position of Tamworth West that it deserves to be assured the school will remain open, and I will continue to lobby the Government to make sure that happens.

Similarly, I also recognise the need for a major investment in infrastructure at Tamworth High School and I will continue campaigning, but Bullimbal is the main priority at the moment. As I have said before, action is urgently needed to redevelop the school. It cannot take on additional students and there is a crying need for that to happen. In summary, we are all aware of the dedication of staff and parents, the success of the programs and outstanding achievements by the students. Both State and Federal authorities have committed to building a new school and I believe that should occur as quickly as possible so that this vital education service can meet its full potential.

Mr STEVE WHAN (Monaro—Parliamentary Secretary) [12.20 p.m.]: Although the Government supports most of the motion, I move:

That the motion be amended by leaving out paragraph (3) with a view to inserting instead:

(3) notes that the Government has allocated funds to construct a new Bullimbal school.

That updates the motion. As the member for Tamworth would acknowledge, this motion was formulated quite a long time ago and the process of bringing the motion on for debate takes some time. In that time there has been quite a lot of progress, which is to the credit of the Tamworth community and the member for Tamworth. I congratulate him on the work he has done on the issue. The people of Tamworth have been engaged in an exciting project examining the best way to deliver public education in their city. A discussion paper prepared by the Department of Education and Training, Planning for the Future of Public Education in Tamworth, dealt with the role of each school within the area and encouraged people to think about a community of schools rather than individual facilities. Since then the department has been engaged in a broad community consultation process led by external facilitators and it has become known as Tamworth Learning 2020. It is pleasing to be able to inform the House that a number of recommendations arising from the consultation process are underway. The member for Tamworth acknowledged those in his speech.

The Government has already committed to a new facility for students at the Bullimbal School for Specific Purposes. Planning for the construction of the new facility on land adjacent to Tamworth High School has commenced and members of the Bullimbal community are being included in the planning process. I acknowledge the comment by the member for Tamworth that he wants to see that proceed as quickly as possible. All members have that attitude when they have particularly important projects in their electorates. The Tamworth Learning 2020 project has provided an invaluable opportunity for the Tamworth community to shape the future of educational delivery in one of our very important regional centres. The Government commends the local member for his involvement in this project and recognises his family's longstanding association with the Bullimbal school as well.

The member for Tamworth highlighted that Tamworth is a healthy, growing regional community. Recently the Rural and Regional Taskforce visited Armidale and talked to a number of people. The member for Tamworth contributed as well. Rural areas have a number of interesting approaches to education. I commend the community for the way it has looked at the delivery of educational facilities. Education should be a whole-of-community issue and recognised as more than just a formal education compact. It is all about a broader range of people being involved, making connections into the community and with the community as well as with industry and a range of other players.

One of the interesting things we heard about at the Rural and Regional Taskforce consultations was the Gwydir learning model—another interesting model for community and council involvement with education providers to meet local needs. I hope we can share such positive models with the rest of New South Wales to overcome education access issues. I am pleased that since the motion was formulated the Government has provided resources to allow construction of the new facility. There is always more to do but a lot of good work is being done. I highlight the Government's upgrading of science laboratories in rural areas. A new school in the area I represent has brand-new science laboratories. They are a terrific advance on the laboratories we had when I was in high school and when we spent most of our time playing with the Bunsen burners and hoping that the teacher did not see us.

Mr Alan Ashton: Weren't they the great days?

Mr STEVE WHAN: The good old days—and those little asbestos mats. The new laboratories are terrific. Teachers can move the kids from the desks with the Bunsen burners while they teach. There are terrific innovations, some simple things—

Mr Barry Collier: Did you make rotten egg gas?

Mr STEVE WHAN: I cannot quite remember that. I do not want to go any further, on the grounds that I might incriminate myself. A terrific innovation in the new facility was the simple idea of having a mirror over the desk the teacher is using. It is angled so the kids can view what the teacher is doing with the experiment. A number of science laboratories will be upgraded during this term of government as part of our investment in an area that is very important for skills development. We have probably all heard that one of the areas of skill shortages in teaching is maths and science, and there is an overall shortage in Australia of science skills. We need to invest in science facilities. Food technology rooms are being upgraded so that they are more like commercial kitchens. In many areas represented by rural members the hospitality industry is a growing and important part of our employment base. Trade schools can also improve country skills and education development. I recently had the pleasure of visiting with the Premier in Queanbeyan one of the first trade schools to be completed.

Mr Peter Draper: There's one in Tamworth as well.

Mr STEVE WHAN: Again, that is a credit to the work of the member for Tamworth. For a long time The Nationals took the seat for granted until an Independent member was elected who stood up for the electorate and made sure its voice was heard. The performance of the member for Tamworth was endorsed at the last election. Of course, Country Labor representatives would be a step forward—but I will not become too political. Trade schools are addressing specific skill shortages. With those trade schools operating, the kids will be able to start their vocational education and finish year 12 as well.

The one at Queanbeyan High School will be focusing on metalwork, which is an area of real shortage in our region. I am sure that will be a great boost. There are separate welding bays, areas for heavy machinery and industrial standard machinery. Those are the sorts of things that are happening around regional New South Wales. The motion is a terrific opportunity for the member for Tamworth to highlight the importance of the Vision 20/20 work being undertaken in Tamworth. It is an exciting step forward for public education in that city. I commend the member for Tamworth for moving the motion. The Government has pleasure in supporting it, as amended.

Mr ALAN ASHTON (East Hills) [12.30 p.m.]: I, too, make the point that the member for Tamworth moved this motion in May last year—which is not that long ago in terms of parliamentary sittings dates and times. I congratulate him on bringing it forward. The original motion notes the community consultation process, puts forward a case for improvements in schools in the Tamworth electorate—particularly Bullimbal—and calls on the Government to increase funding in the next budget. The amendment moved by the Parliamentary Secretary acknowledges the fact that funding has been provided, that work is underway—as the member for Tamworth stated—and that things are looking very good.

I make the point that moving a positive motion and taking appropriate action, rather than merely complaining all the time, achieves results. It is important to involve the community in the consultation process, get the entire electorate onside and involve inspectors, departmental officers and the school community. It is not always possible to meet all deadlines because most members—for example, the member for Tamworth, the member for Miranda, the member for Menai, who is in the chair, and I—want similar things. Rather than competition, I prefer the community model. I acknowledged in conversation with the former Minister for Education and Training, the Hon. Carmel Tebbutt, that we probably cannot afford to have in a single electorate several schools that specialise in the same areas. Increasingly, we will need to consider particular community interests in electorates and regions—this approach will be more appropriate in country areas—and allow particular schools to specialise in different areas in order to cater for everyone. I congratulate the member for Tamworth on his success and his great representation of the electorate of Tamworth.

Mr ANDREW STONER (Oxley—Leader of The Nationals) [12.33 p.m.]: As shadow Minister for Education and Training, I think it is worthwhile to support the motion moved by the member for Tamworth. I was recently in Tamworth and conducted a public education forum, which unfortunately the member could not attend. However, there was wide representation from the Tamworth school community, including teachers, parents and people from government and non-government schools. The future delivery of public education in Tamworth is important to the community. Longstanding issues need to be resolved, particularly the fate of Tamworth South Public School. There is a proposal to construct a new school because the existing facilities have probably reached their use-by date. I have toured the Tamworth South Public School, and it is in need of a major upgrade. It is situated in a busy, commercial area of Tamworth, which is not an ideal environment for large numbers of young students and parents.

A unique opportunity has been presented to the Government to get it right and devise an integrated, holistic plan for the development and future of public education in Tamworth. During the public education forum teachers expressed a concern that those who consulted on Vision 20/20 did not listen to the education community and that many opportunities for a fresh start with respect to the location and delivery of school services in the Tamworth district had been lost. Teachers had no confidence at all in the process. I note also that, in seeking to progress the matter, the member for Tamworth has called on the Government to include funds to construct a new school at Bullimbal. I have spoken with the member for Barwon, who was a former teacher and principal, and he has impressed upon me that this is an urgent project. The issue has been ongoing for 65 years and it is still not resolved.

This morning I argued that school infrastructure needed urgent attention because parents must choose whether to enrol their children in government or non-government schools. From observation of local school facilities and feedback I have received from parents, this is a factor in Tamworth. If public education is to be the first choice of parents in Tamworth—as it should be of parents throughout New South Wales—infrastructure must be addressed urgently by way of an integrated strategic plan for education in that district. I note the Government's amendment, which effectively waters down the motion. But, as the member for Tamworth has accepted it, the Opposition will not quibble on that point. We support the motion in the interests of public education not only in Tamworth but in all country regions.

Mr KEVIN HUMPHRIES (Barwon) [12.37 p.m.]: I support the motion. Historically, I was born and bred in Tamworth.

Mr Steve Whan: Historically? Was it a long time ago?

Mr KEVIN HUMPHRIES: Yes, it was. I attended four schools, both primary and secondary, and later in my career I returned to teach in a local combined secondary school. I keep in touch with a large number of people in the teaching profession in my hometown of Tamworth.

Mr Peter Draper: Name them.

Mr KEVIN HUMPHRIES: There is Anne Jacobs, the former principal of Tamworth West Public School, who lobbied us a couple of weeks ago. Tamworth is a regional centre and it is important to support our regional centres. Education is one issue that continues to raise its head. As the member for Tamworth knows, in the past 20 or 30 years—I am not sure how long he has been in the area—there has been excellent development, particularly in the non-government schools sector. It is excellent that the Government is getting on the front foot and considering a review of government schooling in general.

I know Bullimbal well, as I grew up in Tamworth and am involved with the local teaching fraternity. The school has been there for more than 60 years, and was known for quite some time as the Tamworth special school. The school must be relocated to a new site. That is critical not only for the people of Tamworth but also for those who are making life choices about whether to stay in, or move to, our country towns. I support all those in the Tamworth community who are working to develop a new greenfields site for the new Bullimbal school. The staff—many of whom have worked at the school for years—make an outstanding contribution to the education of children with special needs and to the town as a whole. Anything that will move the project forward is a plus.

The member for Monaro referred to some of the initiatives regarding education, particularly special education. The Gwydir learning initiative, which grew out of the Warialda community, has now been taken up as a best practice model by the State Government, which I certainly support. However, the initiative struggled to gain recognition in the early stages. In many cases, schools, particularly a school at Warialda, worked closely with the community with regard to vocational education and training. It was a partnership between the community and the schools.

One of the things the schools did—which the bureaucracy struggled with at the time—was to allow input by, and consultation and direct engagement with, the community regarding the operation of the schools and how they took on young people in what was a shared responsibility for their vocational education and training during their secondary school years. The project has reached the point where many of the schools involved, including the school at Warialda, are now training centres for larger towns in the area, such as Moree. So the Gwydir learning initiative is a good model and a good partnership.

As the member for Tamworth said, in many cases it is legitimate that special education schools remain independent and self-governing to a large extent. The push to integrate some students with special needs into mainstream education, particularly in rural areas where we do not have a lot of choice, is a matter of concern. I meet regularly with teachers and principals—indeed, I will meet with the Teachers Federation when I return to my electorate next week—to discuss the integration of special education into mainstream schooling and how this does not necessarily meet the needs of students and their families. The issue needs to be looked at.

There is a case for special education schools such as Bullimbal to be established in many of our rural communities, particularly the larger centres. We are seeing families relocate out of mainstream centres such as Moree to larger centres, and even to coastal and metropolitan cities, in order to obtain services for children with disabilities and special needs. In short, much needs to be done with regard to special education and students with difficulties who have special needs. I commend the Tamworth community for pushing the issue forward, and I urge the State Government to implement this project as soon as possible.

Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [12.42 p.m.], in reply: I thank the members representing the electorates of Monaro, East Hills, Oxley and Barwon for their contributions to this important debate. It is wonderful to see united support for something as important as the redevelopment of Bullimbal Public School. The school has offered major opportunities for students with disabilities, both intellectual and physical, for many years. As I said earlier, I am extremely proud that my grandmother was the founding principal and had 27 wonderful years assisting young people in our local area.

Bullimbal is an example of what one can do when one works with the local community. By working with the community we were able to deliver Gunnedah a brand-new hall for which the residents had fought for decades without success. Having attended the Gunnedah South hall on a number of occasions now, I know how valuable the hall is for the Gunnedah community and how much the broader community appreciates it when they hold functions, presentations and other such events at that school.

I thought it was a shame that the shadow Minister for Education and Leader of The Nationals sought to politicise the motion, because it is non-political; it is something that deserves support from both sides of the House. I have to say that his education foray into Tamworth has not left him with the information and education that he was seeking, because he was quite critical of Tamworth South. Tamworth South is a wonderful school. It is in very good condition. It is very capably and passionately led by Chris Shaw, who continues to assure me that he is the luckiest principal in the country because he gets to teach at that wonderful school every day. I think the Leader of The Nationals may have meant to refer to Tamworth West school. Tamworth West has been under a cloud for many years. I have been fighting to make sure that that school remains open, and I will continue to do so.

Bullimbal school has been a standout example of what can be accomplished in education for people with a disability. Some of its students have experiences that would be the envy of many students in other schools. In 2006 a senior class went on a week-long excursion to Darling Harbour. The students got to plan the excursion; they got to go on computers and have a look at where they were going. The excursion provided them with a whole range of activities across their key learning areas of science, English, mathematics, technology and applied science, human society and environment, and creative arts. The students gained a great deal. It is wonderful that in this day and age we can offer our young people opportunities such as that. But that would not happen without the passionate and dedicated staff that Mal Donald leads at Bullimbal school.

I will not take up the five minutes allocated to me simply for the sake of it. I thank the Government for moving its amendment, which does not water down the motion but simply reflects reality. The reality is that the Government has now provided the necessary funding for the redevelopment of Bullimbal school and we are now in the consultative process. I simply urge the Government to ensure that we continue down this positive track, that the money is forthcoming, and that we see construction commence as soon as possible.

QuestionThat the amendment be agreed toput and resolved in the affirmative.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion as amended agreed to.