Mr MATT KEAN ( Hornsby—Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation) (18:28): I am delighted to acknowledge and congratulate Mount Ku-ring-gai Public School on reaching its sixtieth anniversary. With its distinctive red uniform, Mount Ku-ring-gai is a small but mighty school in the Hornsby community. I recently attended the celebrations held at the school, and it was wonderful to see so many ex-students and teachers able to reminisce about their time at the school. It was a community-led campaign that resulted in the school opening its doors on 29 January 1957. The Progress Association had lobbied the Department of Education for six years to open a school at Mount Ku-ring-gai. The community spirit evident in the campaign for the establishment of the school has been the backbone of the school for the last 60 years. I have met many ex-students and parents with a great love for Mount Ku-ring-gai Public School, and it is this community spirit that makes the school the wonderful place that it is.
The school started with 49 students, two classrooms, an office and a storeroom. Mr Greig was the first headmaster and Mrs Wood was the first teacher. The parenting community was active from the first day, with many attending the first Parents and Citizens [P and C] meeting. It was decided during this meeting they would apply for a loan so the school could install a phone. It was Mr Greig who chose the school colours of red and gold, which continue to be the school colours today. Over the years, student numbers have continued to grow and by 1965 the school received word that new classrooms would be built. By this stage the teaching staff had grown to five full-time teachers. By the late 1980s, the school had grown to 168 students and was moving towards putting computers in classrooms. To celebrate the Bicentenary in 1988, a mural was painted on the external wall of the kindergarten room, which is still there today. In 1993 the school was shaken when a deliberately lit fire caused damage to one of the school's timber buildings. The quick-thinking actions of the school cleaner contained the fire and saved the school from extensive damage.
Teachers are an integral part of any school, and there have been many special teachers at Mount Ku‑ring‑gai. I note three teachers who were at the sixtieth anniversary celebrations and who have taught at the school for many years: Gwen Johnston's favourite book to read to the kids was the Muddle-Headed Wombat;Alan Reynolds introduced "Bike Ed" to the school; and Maureen Disney seems to be everyone's favourite teacher and has taught at the school for 17 years. Mrs Disney is still a local. Her granddaughter Julia Disney is a school leader at another local school and attended my school leaders morning at Parliament House. Most Mount Ku‑ring‑gai students count themselves lucky to have been taught by these and other amazing teachers. Mrs Joffe was also a teacher at Mount Ku-ring-gai. Members may recognise that name; she is the wife of famous Hornsby cartoonist Mick Joffe. John Clegg was the principal from 1994 to 1996 and he wrote about his fond memories of the school in Memories of Mount Ku-ring-gai, which was published in 1998. Currently, the school is led by Matt Pinchbeck, who is the relieving principal, assistant principal Nicole Tudor and relieving assistant principal Luke Byrne. The school is in great hands with these three at the helm.
I also come across many ex-students and recently met Rohan Bright, who competed in the World Dwarf Games in Canada. Rohan is a shining star and I am sure he is destined to continue to achieve greatness in his sporting endeavours. I can also say with pride that I employ two ex-students from Mount Ku-ring-gai Public School in my office. Heidi Cameron, who was Heidi Hill, has worked with me for four years and was school captain in 1987, as were two of her brothers, Aaron Hill and Luke Hill. Mika Mitsui also went to Mount Ku‑ring‑gai. As well as studying and working for me one day a week, Mika also still works at the Mount Ku‑ring‑gai Out of School Hours [OOSH]. I was very impressed by the current student leaders, Ella Gibbons, Zachary Williams, Macy Andersen and Samuel Ireland, who recently attended my school leaders morning tea at Parliament House. I have no doubt these students will go on to great things. Macy's younger brother, Thor Andersen, was a finalist in my Christmas card competition not long ago.
From the very first P and C meeting the parents were willing to roll up their sleeves to attend working bees, donate resources and organise events. For the last 60 years, the school has held a fete or major fundraiser almost every year. It was at the second fete, held on 8 November 1958, that the school was officially opened by the then Minister for Education, Mr Heffron. In 2017, as in 1958, parents spend months planning and preparing for the annual event that brings the community together to celebrate their school.
I acknowledge Linda Artist and Rhonda Hutchinson who spent many hours organising and putting together the anniversary celebrations this year. Bec Gregory and Sally Loughnan have also been running the "I Grew up in Mount Ku-ring-gai" Facebook group, which has enabled many students to re-connect. Throughout the school's history the parents of Mount Ku-ring-gai have shown an amazing sense of community spirit towards their school. Whether holding spellathons, movie nights, bush dances, quiz nights or raffles, the parents of Mount Ku-ring-gai have been dedicated to giving back to the school. Some of the notable volunteers and families from the past include Margaret and John Mitchell, the Ayres family, the Fowlers, the Prescotts, the Mantles, the Favaloros, the Sullivans, the McPhersons, the Spencers, the Cooks and my friend Catriona Reeves, who sent her six children to Mount Ku-ring-gai. Many Mount Ku-ring-gai residents give a lot back to the community through the P and C, the Rural Fire Service or other local community groups. I congratulate Mount Ku-ring-gai Public School on 60 years of educational excellence. I know all students past and present have been enriched from their time at the school whose motto is "Grow in Knowledge". I look forward to watching students grow over the next 60 years.
