Page 3599 - Week 11 - Thursday, 23 October 2014
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Arawang Primary School
MR DOSZPOT (Molonglo) (4.22): As shadow minister for education, I had the pleasure of visiting Arawang Primary School in Waramanga last Friday, 17 October. I have visited Arawang Primary School previously and have always been impressed, so it was also a pleasure to meet the new principal, Mrs Jeni Page, and note her enthusiasm and pride in her new role and confidence in her pupils. She assigned two year 5 student leaders, Kieran and Lucinda, to show me around the school, and I was most impressed with their knowledge and observations about their school and their open pride in its achievements. Their attitude was a perfect illustration of the school programs that, according to the school website, are designed to foster student independence, maturity and self-confidence.
Principal Jeni Page and deputy principal Angela Georgopoulos also briefed me on the other aspects of their school: quality teaching; the attention to a stimulating and challenging learning environment that also incorporates technology; the focus on the development of student leadership, creative and innovative thinking; and, of course, the exceptional music program, which I was able to appreciate to an even greater degree as I was invited to be a special guest at the Arawang school assembly that morning.
Arawang’s musical achievements are quite well known in the community. Their successes include: the primary eisteddfod under-12 choir, first place; Singfest, where they received an outstanding award; year 6 band fest, top score, 39 out of 40. I congratulate all the students on their dedication, which shows in their brilliant performances. To constantly achieve at such high levels is a great credit to their music teacher.
I have met Arawang music teacher Lynne Kowalik on a number of occasions, and I think she is the epitome of what defines quality teaching. She is an enthusiastic and dedicated professional who inspires her students with her talent and sheer love of music.
To highlight her dedication to her profession, I understand that, apart from her studies at the New South Wales Conservatorium High School, she then attended the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music, and between 1981 and 1983 Lynne Kowalik attended the Kodaly Institute in Kecskemet in Hungary. So it is not surprising that she has won Children’s Week awards for her work. She inspires and engages her students, and the results of her infectious enthusiasm were demonstrated at the assembly concert last Friday.
The program for the Arawang school assembly last Friday comprised the following: the opening was performed by year 6—West African drumming, taught and directed by Professor Gary France, using Djembe drums. This was followed by the 2/1 choir—year 1 and year 2 students—which performed three Canadian Indian songs, the first two performed in two parts, with a simple ostinato in each—My Paddle’s Keen and Bright, Land of the Silver Birch and I’m an Indian Warrior.
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