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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-11-01 Daily Xml
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National Teachers' Day

Ms THOMPSON (Davenport) (15:37): Last week was National Teachers' Day, and I would like to take this opportunity to give a big and deserving shout-out to all of our amazing teachers who really do play a fundamental role in shaping our future. Our teachers are not just educators, they are mentors, role models, sometimes therapists, and they are the leaders in our school communities.

Every day, parents across our state like myself put our complete trust in the hands of the teachers looking after our children, not just to help them to learn, but to keep them safe and to help shape them into responsible citizens and all-round good humans. I am frequently told heartwarming stories of teachers who go over and above in their positions, sometimes reaching into their own pockets to supply a bowl of fresh fruit, or popping a toaster or Milos in their classroom. There are even teachers who go as far as shaving their heads in support of some of their students who are undergoing tough cancer treatments.

Graduation season is upon us and many of us in this place will have already started getting around to the many ceremonies across our electorates. It is at these events especially that we see just how much the teachers' commitments extend beyond the classroom, preparing our kids—and particularly our year 12s—to face the big bad world. They give us the tools to navigate life, to make a real difference in the world and to become the best version of ourselves. I am sure that many of those who spoke on the motion earlier today would have taken a moment to reflect on the impact of our teachers.

I remember those teachers who would stay after class to explain a difficult concept, the ones who encouraged you to pursue your dreams, the ones who believed in your potential even when you did not. There are brilliant teachers in classrooms right across our state, and every day we see examples of the profound impact that they have on our kids.

My daughter had been suffering from the occasional panic attack at school and would head up to the front office to try to calm herself down before she would head off to class. One teacher would often sit with her, chat with her and do Lego until she felt well enough to go back to her classroom. Those Lego creations grew and grew and they began adding in mechanical components, and she actually developed a real skill for mechanics and a real love for it.

That same teacher then encouraged her to join the STEM action group, which she did, and she now tells me that she wants to become an engineer one day. I know that he was the one who ignited that spark in her, and she has now considered her strengths in that space when choosing a high school to go to next year. These are the moments that shape our lives. These are the moments that happen in our schools every day, and they are the moments that exemplify the dedication and the passion of our teachers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for the work that they do.

Finally, a quick update on one of my local election commitments at Serpentine Reserve in O'Halloran Hill. We had a $300,000 commitment from the state government, which was handed over to council to deliver on a list of priorities for our community. We have delivered a new cricket pitch and a new half-court basketball court, which the local teenagers are absolutely loving. We have shade over the existing playground, some new picnic facilities and an SA Water drink fountain, and we were also able to squeeze in some practice footy goalposts for the local kids.

That whole reserve has really come alive and is thriving now. We had a bit of a barbecue to celebrate it last week, and many of the people in the community are saying that it is really fantastic to drive or walk past and see so many kids out enjoying the beautiful sunshine that we are seeing now, doing healthy activities and getting to know their local community. I am grateful for that funding and also grateful for the work that the council did in delivering those projects.

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