Torrens Electorate School Awards

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (15:35): It appears as though today is the day for awards. As a member of state parliament, one of the highlights of the year is presenting awards to students in our local schools. Today, I would like to take the opportunity to shine a light on some of the amazing people in the electorate of Torrens and the high esteem in which they are held by their school communities.

The first is Avenues College Senior School, where I presented the Avenues College Value Award to two students—it is usually one, but students who have demonstrated one or more of the college's values of courage, creativity, resilience and respect during their time at the college. The first year 12 student is Rita Mann. Throughout her schooling Rita has demonstrated the values of courage and creativity through her leadership and support of many extracurricular activities, including the Cheltenham Exchange, mock trials and house leadership. She has also showed outstanding resilience in managing study with her many extracurricular activities, which also included undertaking university studies through the Adelaide University Headstart program. Rita has always demonstrated respect in her interactions with her peers, teachers and school staff.

The second Avenues College student to receive the College Values Award is Joe Harrison. Throughout his years of schooling at Avenues, his participation in the student wellbeing team over two years has seen Joe demonstrate a commitment to promoting wellbeing and creating a positive school climate. Joe Harrison has played a key role in fostering a student voice and participation in decision-making with regard to promoting college values and improving student wellbeing as well as having contributed to implementing wellbeing initiatives, including the values poster, totem poles and school special events.

He has continually demonstrated respect for others in the school community by treating staff and peers with courtesy and consideration at all times. In addition, he demonstrated a commitment to ongoing evaluation and improvement of school culture through regular attendance, thoughtful participation, solution-focused thinking and innovative ideas in student wellbeing leadership meetings.

Also at Avenues College, which is a birth to year 12 school, we move to the primary school, and we have the Torrens Academic Achievement Award. This award was presented to Salima Subedi to acknowledge outstanding academic achievement. Salima is a quiet achiever who demonstrates unwavering diligence in pursuit of continuous improvement in learning along with a genuine concern for the achievements of other students, frequently offering support to them in their learning. Salima Subedi exemplifies the qualities of diligence, conscientiousness and a commitment to excellence.

Also at Avenues College Primary School, I presented the Torrens School Spirit Award, and this was to Dallandra Owen. Dallandra embodies the core values of Avenues College, consistently demonstrating respect in interactions with others and eagerly extending a helping hand or volunteering throughout the school community. Dallandra exhibits a sense of courage by embracing new challenges, speaking up and sharing ideas and opinions. Determination, especially in pursuit of academic goals and an exceptional level of resilience when confronted with challenges, are commendable characteristics of this student.

I move now to Hillcrest Primary School and the Torrens School Spirit Award. This particular award was presented to two students, Dhyan Patel and Aarya Patel. Dhyan and Aarya are two wonderful students who are full of spirit, which they display in everything they do. This goes beyond their excellent values and skills and reflects on the type of people they are. Dhyan and Aarya are students of exceptional character and disposition; charismatic, courageous and energetic. Most importantly, they are the kind of people who bring happiness and kindness into the world. These were the words of their principal.

The Vale Park Primary School Torrens School Spirit Award was presented to Ashlee Pettigrew. Ashlee embodies everything about what it is to be an active participant in all elements of school life. She conducts herself with maturity and a high level of accountability, both socially and academically, while embracing all opportunities to support and represent Vale Park Primary School values with pride and diligence. She takes on roles of responsibility and approaches all aspects of her schooling with a positive attitude and growth mindset, and she encourages others to be confident and courageous in their learning. That is something that is very commendable.