Oatley Electorate Schools

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-125048

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Oatley Electorate Schools

Mr MARK COURE (OatleyMinister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Seniors) (18:30:24):

— I inform the House of local improvements to education outcomes and infrastructure upgrades in the electorate of Oatley. This Government is focused on providing the children of New South Wales with the best possible start in life. Investing in our schools means investing in our communities. The Government is rolling out more than 200 new and upgraded schools across the State, including four in my own electorate: Penshurst Public School, Hurstville Grove Infants School, Hurstville Public School and Penshurst West Public School. The brand-new Penshurst Public School includes 47 state‑of‑the‑art classrooms and a new library, hall and covered outdoor learning space. This is in addition to open play spaces, including playing courts, seating, shade structures and running tracks. There are new administration and staff facilities along with new staff and student amenities. This year marks the first anniversary since I opened the new school alongside former Premier Gladys Berejiklian and education Minister Sarah Mitchell.

At Penshurst West Public School, the works are done and dusted and the students are absolutely loving it. The upgrades to Penshurst West Public School include new modern teaching spaces and facilities, seven new learning spaces, classrooms, a new student amenities building, a special programs room and enhanced open spaces. Hurstville Grove Infants School, which is just up the road from where I live, has also received a brand‑new multipurpose facility that can be used as an additional learning space, a special needs area or for before- and after‑school care area. It also features kitchen facilities, air conditioning and a quiet room for additional use. Hurstville Public School now boasts an upgraded inclusive learning space designed for collaboration and it has the technology to match it, with audiovisual screens and speakers throughout. This is fantastic news for the people, the kids, the boys and the girls at Hurstville Public School.

These schools service a vast proportion of our region and ensure that every student can access the best possible education. The Government is investing heavily in our schools. It has also committed to ensuring their future prosperity. That is why we are empowering students and schools to make their learning environments more sustainable through our Sustainable School Grants program. The $10 million program gives schools the opportunity to develop hands‑on sustainability projects, enhancing the school learning environment and teaching students important lessons about sustainable practices. I was also thrilled with the success of the Government's Share Our Space program over the past two summer holidays. Share Our Space gives public schools the opportunity to offer their play spaces—playgrounds, ovals et cetera—to the local community during school holiday breaks. This places schools at the heart of our communities, promoting their importance and giving locals more facilities to use. Investing in education invests in our future. Our investment stretches across all stages of education from early childhood education to primary and secondary schools through to our TAFE network.

I give a special shout‑out to my two sons, James and Sammy, and countless others who are benefiting from our bold and ambitious investment into schools and education across New South Wales. I of course give a big shout‑out to my wife, Adla, who is a high school teacher in Cronulla. Her passion for education is inspiring, and that passion has rubbed off on me and many others. I am incredibly proud that our Government is continuing to invest in our education system right across our State. I should note that Adla was recently appointed president of Mortdale P&C, where my son goes to school. So, for us, education is personal. I look forward to keeping the House up to date on any further developments of our education system across the area.