Hollie Hughes (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I'd like to acknowledge the students at Spinifex State College in Mount Isa. You may be wondering, Mr Acting Deputy President, why a New South Wales senator is talking about a Queensland school. My very, very clever stepdaughter, Alex Gordon, has been working there as a science teacher for the past few years. Just this month, Spinifex students from year 7 won—and those in year 8 came third—in the Wonder of Science competition, a competition that is held across all of Queensland. Wonder of Science fosters a STEM culture that empowers and increases capability for positive student and societal outcomes by providing access to high-quality, evidence based STEM education. Specifically, it is a culture where all students, their teachers, parents and other community members understand and value the importance and potential of science and STEM pathways and careers.

Not only do I want to congratulate Alex, as their teacher, and the head of department, Jade Appelkamp, but also their students. In the year 8 team, who won the bronze medal, we have Lewis Richters, Holly Jobling, Emily Wilson and Peyton Burden. In the year 7 team, who won gold—who beat out every other school across Queensland participating in this competition—we have Lillian Scotney, Hannah Lovett, Anneliese Smith, Charli Marshall and EvieWilliams. This is a fantastic achievement from a small regional school, and it's absolute proof of what smart, passionate teachers can evoke in their students, setting them up for a positive future.