Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Adjournment

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (17:09): I move:

That the house do now adjourn.

Southern Metropolitan Region school principals

John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (17:09): (580) My adjournment is for the Minister for Education in the other place my friend Deputy Premier Carroll. The action I seek is for the Deputy Premier to join me in the community of Southern Metro when I host a principals morning tea at the beginning of next year’s school year.

One of my favourite opportunities as a new member of Parliament has been visiting our great local schools, because it is an exciting time for our education system. We are transforming it from the ground up. Our side of the chamber has invested $31 billion into the education sector since being elected in 2014, from developing our next-generation understanding of STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – to our massive investment in school infrastructure, all $15 billion worth, to upgrade or build new schools just like Prahran High School, which I can see out of my electorate office window, which we built for 650 students, a school that first opened in 2019 with a group of year 7s. They will be graduating next year by the way. And do not forget our $80 million Inclusive Schools Fund, which has funded 385 projects across Victoria. The fund was created so that schools could modernise with 21st-century facilities fit for purpose for those with a disability, removing an unnecessary barrier to accessing quality education. The fund was established on the principle that every student deserves the opportunity to gain an education.

We have changed the face of education for the better in our state, from funding indigenous plant gardens and introducing sanitary items in all government schools to supporting families through subsidised school uniforms, essential school learning items and so much more. We are on track to open 100 new schools by 2026. But we could not achieve this without our school principals and their dedication and hard work to keep our government schools thriving. I have had the opportunity to meet and speak to some of the best in the state this year, from my partnership with Janet Gale from Camberwell Primary School to the strong advocacy of principal Andrew Wood to transform Belle Vue Primary School into a community hub and the passion for staff and student wellbeing at Auburn Primary School of principal Tim Sawalaga and assistant principal Allison Blackley, and of course there is Glenferrie Primary School principal Tanya Gurney’s advocacy on road and community safety. I am proud to be a member of a government that supports them.

Part of supporting our educators is by listening to what they need and working collaboratively together. That is why next year I will be hosting a principals morning tea to connect principals right across my community of Southern Metro with each other and to their government, so that we can talk together and create the best outcomes for our kids. I know the school principals would deeply appreciate the attendance of the Deputy Premier at this event.

Debate interrupted.