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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-03-20 Daily Xml
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Springbank Secondary College

Mrs POWER (Elder) (15:36): I rise today to talk about an important school in my electorate, Springbank Secondary College, and its recent transformation. Opened in 1965 as Daws Road High School, the school underwent a name change in 2002 to what many may know the campus by: Pasadena High School. As Pasadena High School, the school was best known in the community for its great basketball program and its superb support for students with a disability through the Pasadena Disability Unit.

On Friday 8 February, I was delighted to attend the official launch of the new identity of the school as Springbank Secondary College alongside the Minister for Education; the federal member for Boothby; Uncle Tamaru, Aboriginal elder; Mitcham council members; and other key community members. Driven by principal Wendy House, partnerships have been forged between Springbank Secondary College, Flinders University and the Australian Science and Mathematics School with a shared vision to re-create the school as a science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) school.

These partnerships present a great opportunity to demonstrate the value of collaboration with leading-edge, research-informed teaching practice for the 21st century. This is an exciting move for our local community. Principal Wendy House, and the governing council, currently chaired by Mrs Jody Moate, are to be commended for their efforts to reimagine what education can mean for their students at Springbank Secondary College. I would also like to pay special tribute to the previous governing council chair, Helen Shepherdson, whose leadership and hard work were also instrumental in the school's transformation.

When speaking with principal Wendy House, she has been very clear in highlighting that this is not just a new name and a new logo for the school; rather, it reflects a complete overhaul of the school's culture and pedagogy. Springbank Secondary College's new motto, 'Igniting inquisitive imagination', is a strong reference to the new teaching practice and approach to learning now being offered, with themes of creativity, research and forming new ideas and a strong knowledge base.

The redesigned school will look to emphasise learning approaches with a special STEAM focus embedded into the curriculum. Specifically, the school will integrate interdisciplinary curriculum design, inquiry and collaboration, along with research-informed teaching pedagogies, driving innovation, applied knowledge and entrepreneurship to achieve the best possible outcomes for students and to provide opportunities for growth. Plans to establish a new senior school will enable curriculum choices to be expanded to include arts, design, support, recreation, food and hospitality.

In the future, it is envisaged there will be an opportunity for students to prepare for careers and life after school by embedding local industry internships, VET and school-based apprenticeships as a core component of the new senior school curriculum. Learning spaces are also set to receive an upgrade to equip the school to support its STEAM curriculum. This will require integrating appropriate digital resources and facilities, colourful, flexible and appealing spaces and flexible furniture that can easily be adapted to meet the learner's needs.

In addition to its academic focus, Springbank Secondary College will also seek to grow its existing sports academy, in particular its special interest basketball program. The new sports academy will be supported through partnerships with Flinders University Sport, Health and Physical Education; the education department; and local sporting bodies, such as Basketball SA and the Sturt Basketball Club. These partnerships will provide a high-quality program, including sports sciences, strength, conditioning and player management.

The principal, governing council, school staff, students, community members and local residents have all been instrumental in driving this change and new direction for Springbank Secondary College. As technologies evolve and people assume multiple careers in the future and new careers emerge, the school is really equipping its students for careers of the future.

Well done and congratulations to all involved. I look forward to continuing to support this important and valued school community in my electorate as this new school steams ahead.

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