EDUCATION WEEK 2008
Page: 8793
Ms MARIE ANDREWS (Gosford) [7.37 p.m.]: As members would be aware, public schools throughout New South Wales recently celebrated Education Week 2008, held from 26 May until 1 June. Education Week is a celebration of our public education system. It also provides a good opportunity to showcase our schools, students and teachers. It is a week in which we celebrate the values, traditions and achievements of public education. Education Week recognises the learning successes of all students and the commitment of teachers, staff and parents to public education.
In my electorate of Gosford I visited three local public schools that held open days as part of Education Week celebrations. On Wednesday 28 May I visited Gosford East Public School. As a part of the back to school program I was able to recount my own experiences of school for the students. I was very impressed with my visit to 5/6H classroom, where the students were busy at work on their computers under the guidance of their teacher, Mr Simon Hutchinson. The interactive white board was certainly very popular with the students. It was also wonderful to meet a number of pre-apprentice students from Hornsby TAFE. These students are currently building four outdoor covered eating areas in the schoolyard as part of a construction course.
Gosford East Public School has 330 students, 32 of them in the support unit. The school has 15 classes—12 being mainstream, plus one for students with a mild intellectual disability and two classes for students with a physical disability. One of these two classes caters primarily for those who have high medical needs as well as a physical disability. A nurse is at the school at all times because of the medical needs of the students.
Gosford East Public School is to be commended for the successful relationship that all students at the school share. Principal Mr Graeme McLeod told me that the children in the support unit have adjusted very well to the school setting. Mr McLeod says that the students do not see wheelchairs and that one can often see a child in a wheelchair fielding at silly mid-on in a cricket game on the oval. During Education Week junior students at Gosford East Public School held a Teddy Bears Picnic whilst 60 students participated in the district cross country.
Currently the school has 24 Aboriginal students. These students visited the Central Coast Regional Art Gallery to see the Aboriginal art exhibition as part of their Education Week experience. They were also able to see the year 1 students' paintings that were on display at the gallery. The school has developed many programs to support their Aboriginal students, especially in literacy, mentoring and cultural awareness. Currently a group of Aboriginal children is writing books with the help of mentors. These will be shared with local schools. Aboriginal parents are very supportive of the school.
On Thursday 29 May, Public Education Day, I visited Ettalong Public School for morning tea and a tour of the school with the new school principal, Mr Colin Wallis. I was pleased to join kindergarten teacher Ms Di Meadham in visiting the kindergarten M class. Whilst I was there Ms Meadham was working on the interactive whiteboard, demonstrating its use for teaching young people literacy. Interactive whiteboards are a valuable tool for the classroom, which was demonstrated by Ms Meadham and her kindergarten students in a hands-on learning experience. Mr Wallis and I then joined parents, grandparents and carers in watching an excellent concert performed by students.
Alicia Brock, a year 6 student, sang first, followed by the Ettalong Public School recorder group, led by Katie Walker. The recorder group played magnificently and was recently able to showcase its talents when the group performed at the Opera House on 12 June 2008 as part of the Banksia concert. The indigenous choir then performed, led by Amy Foster. Following this wonderful performance the school's J rock team performed a dance routine, led by Sue Gillan and a number of teachers. Parents and teachers further contributed to the showcase by making the backdrops and costumes for the concert. This is typical of the sense of community that is shown throughout public schools in New South Wales, with so many people being involved in creating a memorable learning experience for students.
On Thursday 29 May 2008 I visited Umina Public School for its Education Week open day. The principal of the school, Mr John Blair, has advised that this year's event saw the biggest turnout of parents and carers ever. During the day I had afternoon tea with deputy principals Paul Farrugia and Angela Crowe, school captains James Rook and Emily Willings and deputy leaders Nicholas Hynez, Jacob Fowler, Lachlan Irving, Teigan Miller, Sheridan Desbrow and Sammi Cerulli. These young leaders displayed a great sense of pride in their school. A concert was also held on the day, with performances from the school band, choir and boys choir, a dance display and a recorder performance. In the afternoon the school held a reconciliation assembly in recognition of its being National Sorry Day. I applaud all the schools in my electorate, the teachers, ancillary staff, parents and carers, who add value to education in New South Wales.
Ms SONIA HORNERY (Wallsend—Parliamentary Secretary) [7.42 p.m.]: I commend the member for Gosford for her involvement during Education Week, a celebration of public education in New South Wales. She has been busy and worked very hard visiting a number of public schools in her electorate.