Terry Young (Longman, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

It was back to school for so many of our children and teenagers last week, but for some it was the first day of their school and education life. For some there was anxiousness; for others, excitement; and, for all the preppies starting, the obligatory backpack that is almost bigger than them. Don't worry, kids; you'll grow into them! My mum was a state schoolteacher in grades one to three her entire life. I know and appreciate the unseen work that our schoolteachers do after hours. I can remember Mum getting home after four o'clock, cooking dinner for our family, making sure we got to bed and then starting lesson planning and marking before retiring for the night a few hours later. Mum also instilled a great value on learning the basics into my two brothers and I—much to our disgust because it interfered with our play and wrestling time. She ensured that, before we started school, we could write our names and do some basic maths, which I am now grateful for. With this in mind, it was great to hand out some times tables and spelling charts to the students at Jinibara, Caboolture and Dakabin state schools last week . I apologise to the other 28 primary schools in the great electorate of Longman that I couldn't get to. If any schools, mums or dads out there would like these charts so your kids can get ahead, please call into my office and pick one up. If you can't get in, then contact me and we'll get them out to you. All the best to all the preppies out there. I'm sure you'll do great, and well done to all our hardworking teachers. If you can't get in, then contact me and we'll get them out to you. All the best to all the preppies out there. I'm sure you'll do great. Well done to all our hardworking teachers.

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