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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-02-25 Daily Xml
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Modbury High School

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:18): I also want to recognise a golden anniversary today. This year sees a significant milestone being celebrated in the Florey electorate—the 50th anniversary of the founding of Modbury High School. A whole school assembly, the first for this year's 1,000 students and staff, was held on Thursday 19 February to begin the year's activities to mark this occasion and acknowledge the remarkable results achieved by the Modbury High class of 2014.

The assembly was attended by many special guests: the federal member for Makin, Tony Zappia; Mayor Kevin Knight, from Tea Tree Gully; DECD CE, Tony Harrison; and it was my honour to represent the Minister for Education. There were also some pioneering class of 1965 students, their parents and four inaugural teaching staff, as well as many of those who have followed in their footsteps in other varied roles, along with current-day students, parents and supporters. We were welcomed by 2015 school captains, Paul Hammond and Geena Ho, who introduced current principal, Mr Martin Rumsby.

In his address, Mr Rumsby made references to some of the many achievements of Modbury High and its student body. The principals who have led the dedicated and talented teaching staff who have inspired so many were present in portraits painted by school artists. Gordon Strawbridge from 1965-75 focused on the three Rs, so much that the first PE lesson at Modbury High School was pulling weeds from the paddock that eventually became the oval. John Deer was principal between 1976 and 1985 and Robert Hill (my first Modbury high principal) from 1986 to 1999. Jay Strudwick was appointed in 2000 but, sadly, died in 2009 and was succeeded by present-day principal, Martin Rumsby, in 2010, already a 20-year veteran at Modbury High School. The theme of Mr Rumsby's speech was 'The old school tie', the connections that bind us all together.

The school was built to address the demands of several fast-growing primary schools in the Tea Tree Gully area in the communities of Modbury, Hope Valley, Golden Grove and Tea Tree Gully. Local students had been forced to seek secondary education a long way from home, either in the city or at Campbelltown, or at the tech school at Strathmont. A parcel of land was purchased from the rural holdings in the area used for either dairy or cropping. Some of the holdings were as small as two acres and some as large as 80. The land where Tea Tree Plaza stands was still a paddock, and there was no hospital and no streetlights.

Under Mr Jake Jacobsen, the chair of the district council, the Harkness Dairy became the site of the building effort that saw the whole school campus ready for the start of the 1965 school year, although only year 8 students enrolled on that day. By a strange twist of fate, the newly constructed Modbury South Primary School, adjacent to Modbury High School, was not ready at the start of the school year and so the primary students occupied the south wing until their accommodation was completed.

Much of the above information was included in the marvellous speech by Mr Dean Stringer, who addressed the gathering on the early days of Modbury High. Dean is now 87, and his eldest son was a pupil on that very first day. Dean was a member and chair of early governing councils. He helped set up the Gilles Plains TAFE and played footy for North Adelaide. Dean is a fine example of what sort of inspiration and individual can be. Just as he no doubt was at the time of Modbury High's beginnings, so he was on the day of our assembly, and his impact on those who heard him speak was obvious.

Old scholars have been connected to the celebration by a Facebook page. Many old scholars from Modbury High have gone on to achieve great things. These include: Trevor Hearn, an emeritus professor of biomechanical mathematics; Christine Blacker (formerly Edgcombe), who has been a leader in Port Lincoln for 35 years; Raija Linkers (formerly Vanannen); Randy Bulpin, who played with Australian rock band Mondo Rock and lives the life of a professional musician; and, of course, Brendan Nelson, former leader of the federal Liberal Party and currently Chief Executive of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

The achievements of last year's year 12 students, now old scholars themselves, were recognised at the assembly. State winner of the English competition was Nathan van der Hoek. A levels in multiple subjects were achieved by 13 students, and five achieved merit awards in at least one subject area. Sixteen students achieved outstanding ATARs in the top 15 percentile; among them was school dux, Tajwar Tahabub, who received a 99.95 and addressed the assembly on the topic of 'The next 50 years'. His thoughts were as exciting as his prospects. While clearly a high achiever, he has been inspired by great teachers.

Modbury High upholds the best and finest of educational traditions. It provides so many opportunities to students in academia; a vast array of sports; one of my favourite programs, the Pedal Prix; and visual and performing arts, including the iconic Generations in Jazz. Modbury has produced many fine musicians, among them Sam Leske and Cam Blockland who performed two musical numbers for the assembly, one a personal Stevie Wonder favourite called Isn't She Lovely? The assembly was treated to a wonderful music compilation of past decades which accompanied a visual presentation of Modbury High over the years.

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful planning and work of the Anniversary Committee, so capably led by governing council chair, Julie Caust, herself a Modbury old scholar and now in her seventh year of governing council, who is proud to carry on a family tradition and send her children to the public school that has played such an important role in so many local lives.

Time expired.

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