Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Schools) Share this | Hansard source

Last week I had the great privilege of being principal for a day at Plenty Parklands Primary School in my electorate of Scullin. I'm very pleased to report that the school remains standing after my brief period of stewardship.

Mr Zimmerman interjecting—

We won't go to the record of my day, but can I just say what an extraordinarily important program Principal for a Day is. It has provided me, on three occasions now, with great insight into the challenges of running a primary school and/or a secondary school, and the complex interactions that principals are required to have with communities, teachers and students. I'm very much indebted to Principal Claire McInerney for her indulgence and for the insights that she shared with me.

I'm so pleased to have a closer understanding of what Plenty Parklands Primary School means to the communities of Bundoora and Mill Park, and to be better placed to support that school and its community. I was particularly excited to spend time with the quality leaders of the school. I encourage everyone to check out their video, which I'm sure will do very well at the Victorian Student Representative Council awards night. This is a group of young people who themselves have set out a value statement for the school as well as a purpose and vision statement. Both are documents that warrant careful consideration amongst the leaders in this place. I'm excited by my association with Plenty Parklands, and I'm inspired by these young people. I hope I can live up to their example of leadership.

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