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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-05-17 Daily Xml
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Pasadena High School

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (15:36): Today, I rise to speak on the amazing unfolding story of Pasadena High School, a true story about community faith and belief. With the confidence of a few in this school, and now with recent events, we are about to witness a re-emergence of this school as never before. It will be like the phoenix rising, with the gathering momentum of renewed energy through a shared vision and commitment to see a future for this school. The school is a tribute to those who held the faith and belief in the possibilities that this school does and can offer.

Pasadena High School has for some years now faced pending closure rumours and conversations, a very damaging journey to the psyche and heart of the school. The school has been in limbo since last November, when its governing council voted to investigate closing the school and merging with Unley High. Pasadena's flagging enrolments and Unley's desire to upgrade its campus were among reasons the merger was considered as part of the state government's voluntary amalgamations program.

Since then, and with the conclusive supporting vote of the parents of the school against the closure of the school, the state government has announced that Pasadena High School would remain open. The result was also a win for the community and sporting groups that use the campus's Tower Art Centre and the school's ovals and basketball courts. This decision and vote followed extensive consultation with parents. The education department has said it remains committed to working with the communities of both schools to deliver the best educational outcomes possible. The support from parents and alumni during the fight to keep the school open was a very positive experience, as it turned out.

Principal Wendy House, along with teachers at the school and the governing council, now has the challenge of rebuilding and redeveloping the school on all levels, including curriculum and enrolments. With enrolments having dropped from 287 in 2008 to 150 this year, the principal plans a strengthened partnership with nearby primary schools and already has seen results, with increased numbers attending open days.

This renewed interest in the school by the community and potential students is great news for local area and comes on top of the news late last year that the school is now achieving 100 per cent SACE completion, with one of its year 12 students, Raaj, being awarded a subject merit for Scientific Studies at the SACE merit ceremony at Government House in February this year. Raaj was studying part-time at Pasadena High School in 2016 and has gone on to pursue university studies and a career in medicine.

While the Pasadena High School community has much to do, it finds itself in exciting times with a newly formed strategic partnership between the school, the Australian Science and Mathematics School and Flinders University. The tripartite partnership will create a new and beneficial educational hub to learning outcomes of students in southern Adelaide. The collaboration will see the sharing of resources and information for the advantage of students and teachers from all cohorts.

The cooperation between Pasadena High School and the Australian Science and Mathematics School will facilitate the evolution into a specialist science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics school—a STEAM school, not just STEM, but STEAM—and I am told that this will be the first STEAM school in South Australia. STEAM programs add the arts to the STEM curriculum by drawing on the design principles and encouraging creative solutions. This is a great fit for Pasadena with its Towers Art Centre and love of and focus on the arts over the years.

Flinders University will conduct research on schooling redesign, with its own students benefiting through receiving practical preservice experience and mentoring at Pasadena High School. Pasadena High School staff will also benefit from tailored professional learning and development, provided by Flinders.

Pasadena has a long-running Special Interest Basketball Program, which will be incorporated within a new basketball academy. The school will also grow the current partnership with Basketball SA and Sturt Sabres and, together with Flinders University's sport, health and physical education, will create a high-performance program within the school's Special Interest Basketball Program.

The three educational institutions—Pasadena High School, the Australian Science and Mathematics School and Flinders University—will work closely with each other to ensure the needs of students are met through collaborative planning, innovation and development that support individual learner achievement. The new specialisation will align Pasadena High School with the growing demand of STEAM industries and open up opportunities to better prepare students for future pathways in these areas.

Pasadena High will serve as a blueprint for broader curriculum transformation, in line with South Australia's drive towards an innovative economy, and the state and federal focus on STEM. Congratulations to Pasadena High School, the governing council, and parents and school community for your fortitude, commitment and belief. I look forward to seeing you evolve and grow into a unique and flourishing school.

Mr KNOLL: Madam Deputy Speaker, I draw your attention to the state of the house.

A quorum having been formed:

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