Tuesday, 15 August 2023

 Vicki WARD (Eltham) (19:15): (288) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to come out and visit Eltham East Primary School and help commemorate the 60th anniversary of this fantastic primary school. Recently I was fortunate enough to be able to join principal Warren Lloyd and the school community for their anniversary assembly, where I learned much more about the history of this fabulous school, which was originally known as the Grove Street primary school and which opened in 1963 with just seven teachers and – wait for it – 217 students and one telephone. I also learned that in 1965 the first library opened at the school and £200 worth of books were purchased, which I understand equals $41,742 in today’s terms. In the 1970s the school saw lots of wildlife, including tiger snakes, and amazingly, we can now celebrate that we have got a confirmed breeding colony of the Eltham copper butterfly in the school’s remnant bushland.

Since then a lot has changed. The library and art rooms have been built, school uniforms have been introduced and interschool sports have begun, and more recently there has been the creation of an artificial turf oval and a kitchen garden. In 2023 there are over 60 teachers, more than 650 students and several hundred iPads, desktops and notebooks. There have been 17 principals since the school was opened, and I thank and congratulate all of these principals, including current principal Warren Lloyd and his teachers and staff, for their valued work. Minister, I ask you to visit this great school and meet with the principal and students to see all that Eltham East have to offer in celebration of their 60th year.