Page 3103 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 9 November 2021

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If you were one of the many Canberrans taking their child to school over the past fortnight, you would have noticed how organised schools have been. At Ngunnawal Primary School parents dropped off their children, who were greeted by staff, sorted into their new groups and escorted through their own gate. There were balloons, excited kids, even a media crew there to record the event.

Evatt Primary School in Belconnen has made a wonderful video explaining the return to school. Presented by Principal Michael Hatswell, making quips about his lockdown hairstyle, the video features a suspiciously bearded student skipping his way through the different gates, showing how Evatt primary will keep COVID at bay. There are many stories about how our dedicated staff are achieving one essential goal: getting students safely back to school, where we know they learn best.

I want to point out that these many actions, this extraordinary effort, is not just about the safety of students, staff and their families. Schools are at the heart of Canberra community life. This is about the safety of all Canberra families. So I want to acknowledge the effort and goodwill that have been required of all in the education sector and our passionate, wonderful school communities. I am so proud of this commitment to the education of our children and young people. I think I speak on behalf of all in this Assembly, and from the wider Canberra community, when I say that we are deeply grateful.

I present the following paper:

COVID-19 safe return to education settings—Ministerial statement, 9 November 2021.

I move:

That the Assembly take note of the paper.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Housing—strategy

Ministerial statement

MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (10.59): I am pleased to table in the Assembly today the third progress update on the ACT Housing Strategy. The ACT Housing Strategy’s sustained progress in its third year of implementation demonstrates the government’s enduring commitment to improving access to quality homes that are safe, secure and suited to the needs of all Canberrans. In addition to this ministerial statement, I have also released the ACT Housing Strategy year 3 report card. The report card demonstrates the government’s commitment to ongoing monitoring and transparency and tracks progress against the actions within the implementation plan.


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