Page 1687 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 18 May 1994
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The instrumental music program which operates in ACT government schools is highly valued by students and parents alike. A great example of this program is to be found at Ginninderra High School. The school has six bands which cater for students from beginners to experts. There are 150 students in the program. It is offered outside and above their full program. It caters for all students regardless of socioeconomic background. The quality is superb and they perform throughout the ACT and Australia. Our concert band has won at the National Eisteddfod often in the last few years.
During 1994, with the help of sponsors, Wanniassa Hills Primary became the first Australian school to participate in the global schoolhouse project. This project links schools all around the world, enabling them to exchange ideas and information. Students from Year 3, with their teachers Cheryl Patrick and Jo Duncan, participated in a project on space in April. They linked up with four schools across the USA. Students from Year 5 and their teachers, Natalie Wise and Stewart Clarke, are involved in an environmental project called "Trash". They linked up with seven schools across the USA. You may be interested to know that the former Federal Minister for Transport and Communications, the Hon. Bob Collins, became very interested in this project and recognised its possibilities nationally. On an entirely different tack, Madam Speaker, is the quest program which will begin at Dickson College in term 3. This course is designed to pick up students likely to drop out of college. The course emphasises skills in job readiness and provides a lot of work experience for the students.
I have provided examples of outstanding educational initiatives across our government school system. These programs focus on excellence in outcomes for all students, no matter how their gifts differ. Apart from individual school initiatives, provision for gifted and talented students is fostered through district networks. In the Woden-Weston district a three-week program for gifted and talented students during term 2 this year will focus on the arts, a writers workshop, music and science. Other curriculum areas will be targeted in term 3. Teachers within the district are currently engaged in developing teacher modules for the professional development of others in the area of gifted and talented education.
I hope, Madam Speaker, that members of the Assembly, and in particular Ms Szuty, who raised this matter of public importance, will take the opportunity to visit the schools and see for themselves the sorts of examples that I have given today of the high quality of education which is being provided in our schools. I do not for one moment walk away from any debate on the question of education, the supply of education and the quality of education in this Territory. One thing we must always remember to do in a debate of this kind is to acknowledge the level of work being done whilst that debate is being held.
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