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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 14 Hansard (11 December) . . Page.. 4362 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

Dear Minister

I am writing to you to bring to your notice the outstanding efforts of the staff and Principal of Miles Franklin Primary School in Evatt over the last five years.

My son, Timothy, attends the school and is currently in year 6. Timothy has been something of a challenge for me and for the school, as he is affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asperger's Syndrome). This has impacted on his capacity to interact appropriately with others and to gain the maximum advantage from his education.

Without exception, the staff of the school, his teachers, his special resource teacher, his Principal, the ancillary office staff and the school counsellor have consistently displayed patience and understanding in regard to both Tim and myself. Dealing with a child who is not in the "normal"range can be highly problematic and has necessitated a high level of involvement and resources from within the school. You should be aware that they have carried out their duties with compassion and commitment, in a non-judgemental and supportive manner that has ensured that Timothy has actually enjoyed his time in the school and will sorely miss Miles Franklin and its staff when he progresses to Belconnen High School next year. I sincerely hope that he will find his secondary school experience as rewarding as his primary school one.

I hope that you will take my letter as an endorsement of public education, and particularly of its committed and professional staff, and I hope that you will continue to provide the appropriate financial and resource support to this and other schools who deal so well with the "Timothys"of Canberra every day. Please feel free to pass a copy of this correspondence on to Miles Franklin with my sincere thanks for a job very well done.

Yours sincerely

the mother of Timothy.

That letter really does speak for itself. I will obviously be forwarding it to the school. It is a pleasure to know that our public schools are responding so well to the needs of children such as Timothy.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

The Assembly adjourned at 11.41 pm.

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