Page 3118 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 24 August 2005
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concerns for young adolescent students. For many this time represents a major steppingstone on the path to becoming an adult. This time is also marked by several changes in educational expectations and practices.
In Australia primary school students tend to be taught in self-contained classrooms with one or two teachers. As students reach high schools they are required to interact with more students and teachers and there are greater expectations of them for individual responsibility and decision-making. This period of transition has often been associated with a decline in academic achievement, performance motivation and self-perception for many students as they adapt to new environments and expectations.
The model that has been put forward by the government is about creating a new school with new opportunities and a focus on middle schooling. The government is of the view that these opportunities, which are provided to students in new areas of Canberra, should not be confined only to those new areas; they should also be available to children and students in those long-established areas of the city. Mrs Dunne’s motion also calls on the government to table information in the Assembly. A number of members of the community have already approached the department and me seeking information in relation to this proposal. Recently, the Ginninderra parents and citizens association submitted a list of questions to the government relating to the proposal.
In response to these requests, information is being prepared and that information will be made public. I will ensure that it is passed on to members of the Assembly. The opposition is calling for the suspension of all activity that would lead to the closure of Ginninderra district high school until the consultation process is complete. The opposition is already using scaremongering tactics by referring to the fact that other schools in the area will be closing. How irresponsible is that approach? It named schools such as Charnwood, Latham, Macgregor and Melba as being under threat of closure and caused unnecessary angst and concern in the community.
Mrs Dunne: You said in your first press release that Melba would close.
MS GALLAGHER: I did not state in my first press release that Melba would close. Mrs Dunne, the words that you state in this place and the words you put in your media releases have a real effect on parents and students in the community. There are consequences as a result of using such scare tactics. It would be grossly irresponsible for us, as a government, to put this proposal to the community for a six-month consultation, and do nothing to prepare students, teachers and parents in the school for their educational requirements next year. Children would miss out on enrolling in schools of their choice and they would also face uncertainty over their future until the end of the year. The transition process will continue.
The government is in the process of comprehensive transition arrangements for all students. All years 7, 8 and 9 students have had information sessions delivered by representatives of other high schools. Bus tours to other high schools have also commenced so students will have the opportunity to examine their options for next year. Unfortunately, Mrs Dunne’s motion makes no mention of the opposition’s views on this proposal. I could not help but notice that Mrs Dunne chose to use the word “notes” in the text of her motion. Where does the opposition stand on this issue and on the broader issue of school closures? In 1996 when the shadow education spokesperson worked for
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