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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-22 Daily Xml
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STRUDWICK, MS J.

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (16:22): Teachers have, arguably, one of the most important jobs of any of the professions: the education of our young people. As someone with an extensive family connection to teaching, I speak with the authority of one who has observed the commitment and dedication of teachers firsthand. The seat of Florey has many great schools. It is with sadness that I advise the house of the passing of Ms Jay Strudwick, a person whom the South Australian Secondary Principals Association described as 'a highly valued professional colleague'.

At the time of her death, on 26 August, Jay was principal at Modbury High, a public secondary school that rightly enjoys a well deserved reputation for excellence. I first met Jay at The Heights School some 15 years ago when my children were attending there, and I have been the MP for the area for her time at Modbury High. Although I do not have full details of Jay's vast educational experiences, I did learn from Jay's friend, Stephen Measday, himself an educator with links to The Heights School, of Jay's time at two schools in Whyalla, among others, and her lifelong devotion to the wellbeing of struggling and at-risk students, in a career over some 30 years.

Modbury's acting principal, Martin Rumsby, was quoted in the Leader Messenger of 9 September this year as saying, 'Jay made a point of getting to know them. She did not judge them. She never wrote them off.' A very moving testament to Jay's way with such students came via a letter from one of her students, read at the funeral, crediting Jay with his eventual success. Jay's sudden death has stunned her family, friends and the school and wider community, and Harrison's Ridgehaven Chapel was packed to overflowing for her funeral.

I enjoyed a close working relationship with Jay over many years, and admired her ability and leadership of Modbury High School through some very difficult issues. Colleagues at Modbury High paid her a great compliment when they credited Jay with changing the culture of the school into a more caring community. She was very proud of every student, perhaps some more than others.

It was my privilege to work with her and the governing council on implementing the school's Remembrance Day assembly, which takes place every year and is well observed by all students. We both shared a keen interest in the schools music program, and travelled annually to Mount Gambier for the Generations in Jazz Festival.

Her family—her mother Jess, her son Tristan, her daughter Sharaze Pentland, son-in-law Sam, and beloved grandson, Hudson—were supported by extended family at the funeral. In Tim Williams' interview for the Leader Messenger, Sharaze spoke of the love Jay had for her grandson, Hudson, and that while she was an extrovert at work she was a very private person at home. Jay's sister spoke of her great love for her family and we saw a montage of photos of a life well lived in the service of others.

I will miss our times together at events like last week's pedal prix—another school activity we often went to and supported together. Just as Jay would have been watching the Crows' great and exciting final games this year, I am sure she would have been at the Pedal Prix watching the teams over the weekend.

I want to put on record a summary of the results of our local schools. Category 1, which is the least experienced category, saw Ardtornish's Ardrocket II in 32nd place with 241 laps. East Para Primary School's entry No. 47 came 56th on 214 laps. As it is their first year in Pedal Prix, they did a great job and congratulations must go to principal Mr Greaves and the whole team on an excellent effort. The winning team in that category pedalled 334 laps.

Category 2 saw 379 laps for the winner and Gleeson's Scorpio came eighth with 331 laps; Pedare's Blade was 25th with 285 laps, only just ahead of Golden Grove High School's Golden Grove II at 26th also on 285 laps. The Heights School's Phoenix had some difficulties and finished 58th with 223 laps.

In category 3, The Heights School's vehicle, Quasar, finished 43rd on 259 laps. The winner in category 3 did 396 laps. Gleeson's Hyper was seventh in category 3 with 350 laps and Golden Grove High School's Golden Grove I car in 10th place with 338 laps and Pedare's Laser came 17th with 320 laps just behind Modbury High School's Cheetah, which was 15th on 326 laps. Pink Panther is the all girls team which came 29th with 291 laps and Lynx was 38th on 270 laps. St Paul's College is actually in the Speaker's seat but it is close to Florey and their vehicle, COGS, finished 36th with 279 laps.

The winner of category 4 did 466 laps and Gleeson's Emilio was 14th with 366 laps. Modbury High's premier vehicle, Cougar, was 27th with 305 laps. The series' major sponsor, University of SA, finished 21st in that group with 325 laps. Our thanks and admiration go to all the teams that competed at Murray Bridge and in the event throughout the year—teachers, students and families who support the event to their utmost.

Time expired.

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