Page 3355 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 22 September 2015
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would also like to recognise the great work of Mark Scarborough from My Gungahlin. Thank you, Mark, also for coming in today. He helps keep our community connected in a new way every day.
Of course, I would like to thank Jessica and her mum and dad for their very thoughtful donations which really help people in our community and highlight just how wonderful it is to live in a city like Canberra where people look out for one another. Communities@Work has a vision for a resilient and socially inclusive community that cares for the wellbeing of all, as does, of course, the ACT government.
Jessica, in particular, demonstrates that you do not have to be big to make a big impact. It is just great to see all people—young and old—coming together to build better futures for everyone. I hope Jessica keeps looking for ways to help people in our community and inspire people in this place and beyond.
Brindabella Christian School
MR COE (Ginninderra) (4.51): I rise this afternoon to speak about Brindabella Christian College, particularly the Charnwood campus. The college was formerly called O’Connor Christian School, and it has been providing a holistic approach to education based on Christian values for over 30 years. The school commenced in 1980 with two teachers and 29 students. It has grown to 700 students across two campuses.
The Charnwood campus caters for children aged from one to four years in its early learning centre and children in kindergarten through to year 3 in the junior school. Classes take place in the Canberra Christian Life Centre building, and the school eventually plans to extend to year 12 on the site.
Brindabella Christian School encourages parents and carers to be actively involved in their children’s school life, including through reading groups, library, sports carnivals, excursions and assemblies. Parents can also contribute through involvement in parents and friends associations.
Junior school students at Brindabella have been focusing on the idea of healthy safe kids, and the school has organised a number of initiatives to help support this concept, including the mid-morning munch, a healthy bones morning tea, visits from Constable Kenny, a self-defence workshop and the walk safely to school program.
Last Wednesday morning I was pleased to take part in the walk to school with dad program. This was the second time all students met at the local oval and walked to school together. Last Wednesday’s event focused on dads and male role models. Students, teachers, dads and other people from the community met at the Melba Oval and walked to the Charnwood campus along bike and walking paths.
The idea for the event came from Keith Roberts, the head of the junior school at the Charnwood campus. Keith was supported by teachers Louise Sullivan, Sarah Lim, Anne Bowman and teacher aide Wendy Straw. Helen Wilks helped with the invitations and organisation.
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