Page 3718 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 21 November 2006
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Importantly, think water, act water sets targets for reduction in water consumption of 12 per cent by 2013 and 25 per cent by 2023. This is to be achieved through a variety of measures, including water recycling, the use of stormwater and rainwater, as well as water conservation measures. In addition, permanent water conservation measures were introduced for the ACT in March 2006.
Narrabundah primary school
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (4.47): I am very excited to hear that the Narrabundah primary school is the winner of the 2006 Australian Education Union Arthur Hamilton award for reconciliation in education. People would be aware that the Narrabundah primary school was marked in the 2020 plan to be merged, administratively at least, we are told—though people are concerned that it might be more than that—with the Red Hill primary school and that nearly 50 per cent of students at Narrabundah primary school are indigenous children.
I commend to the Assembly the submission that was prepared by the Narrabundah school community and the broader neighbourhood community. It has prepared a very thoughtful submission, a very exciting submission, about making Narrabundah primary school a centre of excellence for indigenous education; that is, working from its strengths. Those strengths were recognised by the Australian Education Union. Its president, Ms Pat Byrne, said in relation to the award:
We congratulate the dedicated staff of Narrabundah Primary School whose educational practices and programs are underpinned by principles of inclusive education.
The school engages its small but culturally diverse student population, including an Indigenous enrolment of almost 50%, through best practice programs such as the On Track program, created to support Aboriginal students using a flexible approach to learning.
The school also runs a Guided Reading program recognising that achievement in literacy is core business and providing relevant and challenging learning opportunities for Aboriginal students.
Aboriginal culture is celebrated and valued at the school with the Bundah Booris Dance Group providing the welcome dance and performances to visitors to the school.
The AEU—
as we all know—
strongly supports Reconciliation between the wider community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All Australians should know and understand the history and issues which Reconciliation involves.
Established in 1999, the Arthur Hamilton award for reconciliation in education is in recognition of those members of the union who actively promote reconciliation in an educational setting. The first winner of that award was another ACT school, Campbell school. That was some time ago, however.
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