Windsor Gardens Secondary College

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (15:08): Last week the sweet sound of music could be heard at Windsor Gardens Secondary College in my electorate of Torrens. While this is not unusual for the school, it was a special occasion: the official opening of the new first-class music suite that includes a performance space and a high-tech recording studio.

The $4.2 million state government-funded redevelopment of Windsor Gardens Secondary College includes three classrooms; renovations to provide an electronics area; a new physical education area; and specialist spaces for music instruction, practice, performance and sound recording.

The students' educational experience and opportunities are enhanced by the new music suite providing for participation in indoor and outdoor programs. Now there is no need to set up a temporary stage for the school's annual arts event, Windsor Under the Stars, as the new design structure allows the stage to be in the building with the audience sitting out under the stars. It provides the perfect stage for showcasing the students' voices, instrumental skills and harmonies.

Students also have space to play their musical instruments or practise with the bands, choir or small ensemble, and all students are now using the new music suite for music theory lessons, music practice or music performances. Classes are run for students from years 8 to 12, including SACE music courses. In addition, the sound production certificate III is offered across the north-east schools for year 11 students from schools in the area and run by a teacher from Windsor Gardens Secondary College.

I have spoken to students who are now accessing the new music suite, and they told me it makes such a difference. They love the performance area and the practice rooms, and the teachers in the arts area love the new facilities and how they benefit students. One of the voice coaches said:

The best part is that the students can practise in a space and have their voices or playing recorded and then be able to listen to their sound and get instant feedback.

This in itself makes the learning experience more valuable and supports the students to evaluate and improve on their performance. College principal Paulette Sargent said to me that they are keen to continue building the school's music program and down the track would love to share the space with surrounding schools in their partnership. It is terrific to see the commitment by the state government delivering for students at Windsor Gardens Secondary College. The new music suite adds significantly to the school's music focus, providing greater opportunity for its students.

This week in Australia, we celebrated Harmony Day. It is a day on which we celebrate Australia's diversity, a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home. The central message for Harmony Day is that everyone belongs, reinforcing the importance of inclusiveness of all Australians. This year's theme is 'Our diversity is our strength' and is focused on how diversity makes Australia a more inclusive, cohesive and stronger nation.

Over the past 70 years, 7 million migrants have made Australia their home. Almost half of Australians were born overseas or have a parent who was. People from more than 200 countries make up our Australian community, and 300 languages are spoken in our homes. Harmony Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This year marks 50 years since the declaration of the day.

I was very pleased to be able to attend one of my local primary schools on Harmony Day to join in their acknowledgement and celebrations. From the moment you step into the Hillcrest Primary School, you know you have entered a wonderful learning environment where everyone is respected for their uniqueness, individuality and culture. The principal, Lissa Hutter, and the teachers lead by example, engaging with the students, embracing and celebrating the cultural diversity of the school community, working to ensure students achieve to the best of their ability.

To celebrate Harmony Day, students at Hillcrest Primary School ate oranges, orange being the chosen colour for Harmony Day. They later placed orange images of their hands that they had made in class on the school's harmony tree, which was central to their gathering in the schoolyard. Those students that were in traditional dress formed a circle around the tree, and then all students and teachers joined hands to form a friendship circle. To add to the special occasion, ABC's Behind The News (BTN) was on hand filming so that Hillcrest Primary School's Harmony Day celebrations could be shared with other schools across the state.