Page 2657 - Week 07 - Thursday, 2 August 2018
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importance. It is always great to talk about some of the work that is happening in ACT schools and the government’s commitment to this vital area of service to the ACT community.
Of course, every parent wants the very best for their child, both during childhood and into their future lives. Decisions about education are some of the most significant that a parent will make. Of course, that comes with a desire to be informed about the opportunities available at a school.
The most informed choices about important decisions like where to send children to school come from firsthand experience. The best way for parents to have this experience is to visit their local school, talk with the principal and other teachers and support staff, see learning in action, and observe the interactions between teachers and parents. There are also other ways to connect with schools, such as through open days, fetes, other events and celebrations. All of these opportunities allow parents a real chance to understand how their local school community comes together, and applies to schools in all sectors: government, non-government and religious education.
In the ACT we are incredibly fortunate to have an excellent school system. I am very proud to be a former student of the public school system here in the ACT. I know that our teachers in all of our schools are equally committed to understanding their students and making sure that they meet their learning needs. ACT parents have been spoilt for choice.
In ACT public schools the government’s priority, consistent with the expectations of the Education Act, is to make sure that every ACT child and young person has guaranteed access to their neighbourhood school. Our goal is to ensure that parents who choose public education find the local school to be a great school, where excellent, personalised learning happens and relationships are made that can last a lifetime.
In my time as minister, I have found that in every case schools are striving towards this goal. Through the future of education conversation, my observations have been validated, alongside some excellent discussion of the necessary next steps to keep up this work.
I have heard parents say that they want their children to be happy to go to school, inspired and positive about life, enjoying learning and willing to try new things and accept new challenges. Schools have raised that it is important for children to have a love of learning and the ability to engage as successful members of the community. Students themselves have said similar things.
It also shows in the growth in demand for public school education. The government has responded by prioritising infrastructure investment to make sure that schools can provide high quality learning environments in both new and established schools. For example, more than $23 million has been invested to modernise Belconnen High School from 2015 to 2018. The Caroline Chisholm Centre for Innovation and Learning has been completed, with an investment of $5.7 million. $85 million over four years has been invested through the public school infrastructure upgrade
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