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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-06-13 Daily Xml
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WORLD EDUCATION GAMES

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:43): Can the Minister for Education and Child Development inform the house about the recent World Education Games and the exceptional results by a South Australian student on World Maths Day?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:44): I would like to thank the member for Mitchell for this important question. South Australia does have something of a history of young people who have outstanding mathematical skills. Of course, we all recall, for example, Professor Terence Tao, who went to school at Blackwood High. In fact—

The Hon. C.C. Fox: Yes; he was in my class in year 8.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —he was in the same class as the member for Bright in year 8. According to one of the school's newsletters, he did year 11 and 12 maths while he was still in primary school. Of course, Terry Tao went on to become a Professor of Mathematics at the University of California in Los Angeles, and he is Australia's only ever recipient of the Fields Medal.

I am extremely delighted to advise that we have another internationally recognised young mathematician at one of our state high schools. I take this opportunity to congratulate this young man, Aaron Herman, who is a year 9 student from Seaford 6-12 School. He has already shown—

The Hon. J.D. Hill: Hear, hear!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —exactly—he is a champion at maths at his school, and he has now proven his exceptional skills on the international stage having achieved seventh place in the world in the 11 to 13 year age division at the World Maths Day event, which is part of the World Education Games. This year, I am advised that 5.5 million students from 235 countries and territories took part in this global event.

I was invited to the Seaford School assembly today to recognise Aaron's achievement, but unfortunately I was unable to be there because of parliament. However, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere congratulations to Aaron and, of course, his family, and to acknowledge the many, many teachers and parents who work hard every day to develop these incredibly important skills for our students.

From the state government's perspective, we are actively supporting the commitment to lift maths and science skills because they are vital to the future of South Australia. We are supporting our teachers and students through measures such as professional development for our reception to year 7 primary school teachers through our $51.1 million Primary Maths and Science Strategy. Under this strategy, students are expected to learn maths and science throughout their primary school years while there are measures such as our advanced technology industry and School Pathways Program designed to strengthen these skills among our secondary school students.

I am sure everyone in this place will join with me in congratulating Aaron, the school community, and his family; they must be absolutely delighted. This is what our school system is absolutely capable of producing. We are incredibly proud of him.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

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