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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-11-09 Daily Xml
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EDUCATION INITIATIVES

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (15:23): I address my question to the Minister for Education. Given the important role that principals and preschool leaders play in the education of young people, in particular, can the minister advise the house about initiatives to engage with those leaders?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Education, Minister for Early Childhood Development) (15:23): As members may be aware, I have been trying to get to as many schools and preschools as I possibly can in the time that I have been Minister for Early Childhood Development. At last count, it was over 80 schools and preschools.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. R.B. Such: What about Clarendon?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I was happy to be with the member for Fisher at Clarendon on Sunday afternoon. It was a lovely sunny day and we opened a BER project, which was much welcomed by the local community; and, also, a lovely Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden, another fantastic initiative. We were celebrating 125 years of the Clarendon Primary School, and it was a lovely event.

Of course, I try to spend some time talking not only to the leader but also the teachers and the governing council. I also try to speak to the students and get some appreciation for the school. However, we have 580 schools in our system, as well as preschools, so, obviously, I am not going to be able to cover all those in an enormous hurry.

So in August, when we released our discussion paper about a new relationship with schools and preschools, it foreshadowed a trial of a school leaders hotline. Each week at a set time we would set aside an hour for principals to ring me directly to discuss their ideas and concerns about our education system.

I am pleased to say to the house that the trial began last Friday when I spent an hour taking calls from principals and preschool directors. For me, it was invaluable. I got to speak with principals from a range of settings: regional schools, high schools, primary schools, small schools and preschools. It was a very broad range of people from the South-East, the Riverland, the South Coast as well as the West Coast and some of the metropolitan areas.

It was great to get an insight into how teachers and principals were experiencing their school. We got some great feedback about the fact that, contrary to what you will hear over here, they have welcomed the additional resources that are going into our schools. Jim Davies, President of the South Australian Secondary Principals' Association, said on radio that the initiative was welcomed by principals. He said that it was 'a really welcome initiative by the minister, talking around amongst principals, school to school. They are all applauding this initiative'.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Instead, we have the member for Unley who said I should be getting out there and visiting schools. I am out there. How many schools have you visited in the last seven years?

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: None, or more than me? Which is it?

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Look, I can't help you if you scare small children, if they will not let you in. If you want a visit, come and see me. If you want to go to a school, I will let you in. I will go with you and say, 'Don't be scared of the big man.'

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Unley! You can ask your question tomorrow. Question time is finished.

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