Page 1984 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 5 August 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
schools. In term 1, 40 students from the Lanyon High School feeder primary schools were invited to participate in a creative writing day and extension mathematics day. Students from the primary schools worked alongside leadership students from Lanyon high to explore creative writing and to participate in drama activities.
Students in years 4, 5 and 6 from the primary schools and years 7 and 8 from Lanyon high worked in multi-age groups to problem solve and build structures in the cluster maths workshop under the guidance of staff and leadership students from Lanyon High School. Further events are planned in science and the performing arts.
Later this term, leadership students will be linking with elderly residents at the retirement village in Gordon using a virtual learning environment. They will use iPads and desktop computers to teach residents how to communicate with their families using email, take photos and videos, use internet banking, online shopping and download applications for everyday use. I look forward to visiting Lanyon high and to see firsthand the great addition to the school.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, could you provide information on Melrose High School’s new dirt bike track and how this has enhanced outdoor education at the school, given that it serves students in the south Woden area and a number from Tuggeranong?
MS BURCH: I thank Dr Bourke for his interest in dirt bike tracks. I recently had the privilege of joining Paralympian Michael Milton at the opening of the Melrose High School new dirt bike track. The track has turned a previously unused area of the school grounds into an inviting area for physical activity. It also provides another sporting facility for the local community and is proving very popular with many of the young people utilising it after school and a wider cross-section of community members using it over the weekends.
The track will cater for all school levels, from beginners to the more advanced. As an example of how this track is being used, the years 7-8 cycling program now includes a mountain bike component while the students from the years 7-10 learning support unit are using the track to improve their balance and coordination. Previously the only option for students at the school was an excursion to Mount Stromlo mountain bike track. Students can now use the facility on site and are riding a number of times a week.
Stage 1 of this project had a value of $105,000 and includes the dirt track, shade trees, native understorey plants, an automatic irrigation system and signage. Stage 2 will see a shipping container relocated to be used as a workshop and storage facility, shade sail seating and water refill station and bike racks.
As part of the towards zero growth healthy weight action plan, the ACT government is committed to supporting a healthy, active and productive community through projects such as this. I know, as observed over the weekend, that it has been used by many in the community and is a great addition to Melrose High School.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video