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Rural And Regional Schools

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About this Item
Speakers - Tsang The Hon Henry
Business - Adjournment


    RURAL AND REGIONAL SCHOOLS
Page: 4697


    The Hon. H. S. TSANG [10.01 p.m.]: I take pleasure in reporting to the House on my recent visits to a number of schools in rural and regional New South Wales. It is important for members of Parliament to take every opportunity to engage our children and youth and to understand them. That is why I was pleased to represent the Government at a number of school openings, including Sandon Public School in Armidale, Ingleburn High School, and Bargo and Oakdale public schools, both in the Southern Highlands electorate. I am very impressed with Sandon Public School's modern building design and bright colour scheme. I was even more impressed that the school was well equipped to cater for students with special needs. I was moved to witness the kids' compassion in looking after their school mates with disabilities. The parents and teachers took great pride in protecting the caring environment of the school.

    I was delighted to learn that Ingleburn High School has a strong focus on student discipline and encourages students to take responsibility for their actions. It is this example of civic pride that leads to the strengthening of our community. I was also impressed that the headmaster took the kids to the Pizza Hut as a reward for the excellence of their achievements. At Bargo Public School I found that the kids were very imaginative and creative in their many endeavours and are keen on sports. I had great fun having the four school captains and deputy captains work with me on a poster of their smiling headmaster to replace the missing plaque that marked the opening of the school. The headmaster was pleasantly surprised with the kid's quick thinking and ingenuity.

    In Oakdale I found the school environment truly exceptional. The magnificent grounds were well kept and the school buildings are kept in good shape by the voluntary labour of the parents. I found the children well behaved, innocent and very loving. Surprisingly, they told me that they aspire, like many young children in regional New South Wales, to have all the things that city kids have so readily—things such as a big swimming pool with water slides, a theme park and a large shopping complex with movie theatres. It is interesting that when I visit city schools all the city kids wish for are green open spaces and the strong supporting community of country schools like Oakdale and Bargo.

    Despite the apparent differences and aspirations, one element of school activities brings them together: the desire and interest in finding out more about Australian history and what it means to be an Australian. I found, as a life member of the RSL and one who takes great pride in marching with the RSL State Executive on Anzac Day, that kids from both the city and the country take pride in participating in Anzac Day activities. Tomorrow Sandon Public School will have an Anzac Day public commemoration ceremony, observing a minute's silence and the playing of the last post, followed by a discussion on the meaning of war and the value of peace. Last year Oakdale had a similar ceremony and invited a Vietnam veteran to talk to the schoolchildren and their parents about his experience. In each class the students are making their own wreaths from flowers they brought from home.

    At Bargo Public School this morning a special school assembly was held with a solemn commemorative ceremony during which the children were encouraged to bring a flower to pay respects to all Australians who sacrificed their lives for the peace we enjoy today. Like many other high schools in the State, Ingleburn High School has a longstanding tradition of commemorating Anzac Day. As this special day is fast approaching, I commend those schools I have mentioned for their efforts in acknowledging such an important day. I urge all schools and committee groups to embrace the Anzac spirit and celebrate our freedom that was gained through the sacrifices of thousands of Australians who fought in wars and paid the ultimate price so today we can enjoy the wonderful unique Australian way of life.


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