Michelle Ananda-Rajah (Higgins, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I had the pleasure of touring Lloyd Street Primary School in Malvern recently. The school will be celebrating its centenary next year and is a mix of traditional red brick buildings and newer structures around a playground with pear blossoms in full bloom. I had the privilege of meeting some of their students: Charlie, Ellie, Raff, Ivy and Annabel, who, under the supervision of John Painter, took me on a tour. The children were articulate, thoughtful and personable. Principal John was happily sidelined as they took over. We came across clusters of children on the oval all deep in thought learning about life insurance, health insurance and income protection, which is part of their financial literacy program. I wish I had been offered this in my early years. It would've saved me a lot of heartache and a lot of dollars later in life!

Before I knew it, I was in the world of philosophy, as part of their International Baccalaureate program. The children said philosophy had taught them to keep an open mind. Watching over us were the sages of humanity lining the walls: Marie Curie, Mother Teresa, Cathy Freeman, Gandhi, Barack Obama, Rosa Parks—they knew her story—and, of course, Oprah. Outside was a beautiful painting made with the handprints of the preps titled, 'Be brave. Make Change,' in reference to National Reconciliation Week. The school is a marvel. It is a crucible of thought and of learning and of love. It should be commended for its wonderful far-reaching program.