St Therese Primary School Mascot Year 6 Graduation

Ron Hoenig MP & Marcelle-Rita Zarzour

I was pleased to join the St Therese's Year 6 graduating class of 2013 and their families, friends and teachers in December, at the schools Annual Graduation Mass. The church was filled to capacity as the community, led by Parish Priest Father Dominic Ceresoli CS, wished the students all the best in the important transition to High School.

St Therese School is a catholic primary school in Mascot that has for as long as I can remember, always enjoyed an excellent reputation for the quality of its education and teaching staff. St Therese Primary is the largest inner-city primary school in the Archdiocese of Sydney. The school boasts multi-million dollar campus consisting of 21 classrooms, specialist rooms, canteen, outdoor learning areas, administration block, staff facilities, parish hall and library. 

I was delighted to present the "Ron Hoenig MP Outstanding Leadership Award" to Marcelle-Rita Zarzour. Marcelle demonstrated an awareness of the people around her and their needs that is beyond her years.Marcelle offers selfless service and commitment to eh entree school community through her involvement in: film crew, history club, school choir, interior school debate art club, photography club and school production. She is enthusiastic about her school and always displays a positive attitude. A worthy award winner and terrific role model to students around her.

Tempe High School Presentation Day

Ron Hoenig MP with Katherine Kai

It was a pleasure to attend Tempe High School Presentation Day 2013 on the 17 December 2013. Tempe High is an outstanding school in my electorate that provides quality education for both selective and mainstream students.

The school has excelled again in 2013 in academic, sporting and extracurricular fields made possible, as principal Socrates Dassaklis pointed out; “because of the support they have received from their families, and our staff. This team approach has remained the key to why Tempe High is so successful.”

The school hall was filled to capacity with proud parents, guests and students and it was a pleasure to be invited to present some awards, one of which was the “Ron Hoenig MP Outstanding Leadership Award” that was award to Katherine Cai.

Katherine as the 2013 Tempe High School Captain worked tirelessly in the leadership of both the Student Representative Council and her year group. Katherine is a true leader and role model for students as she worked closely with the captains and the other school leaders.

Pagewood Botany Football Club. Thank you on behalf of the community

Ron Hoenig MP & George Lundy

It was a pleasure last night to present to George Lundy, President of Pagewood Botany Football Club a parliamentary certificate thanking the club for doing so much for the local community.

This fantastic club, with such community minded volunteers do not just organise football or soccer for its members, it actively engages with the community, raising funds, and works intellectual disabled children at Windgap, and through the Special Olympics.

This year this club raised and donated $12,000 to the Sydney Childrens Hospital. It donated $1400 to Windgap. It held soccer Gala Days for Windgap at Jellicoe Park and has invited Special Olympic teams to Pagewood.

Their efforts are even more remarkable as they are always subject to criticism by peak soccer bodies. Believe it or not it is all about complaining that money should be paid to peak soccer bodies or trying to stop their volunteers training and organising football for the intellectually disabled children. In reality if these sport bodies had their way, rather than money going to Sydney Childrens Hospital or the intellectually disabled, it would go into the pocket of soccer administrators who do not reside in this community and contribute little to it.

In this state for a child to play representative football that child needs to find $3000 to play. In my view it is a scandle. No other representative children's sport does this. I have great confidence in Frank Lowy FFA Chairman's ability to effect improvements, but in states like NSW there is a long way to go.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School, Waterloo Presentation Day

John Farrell(Principal), Apollo Vo_Truong, Ron Hoenig MP

I regarded it a privilege to return to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School at Waterloo this week for the school's presentation day. Last week I attended the school's Christmas concert where I was so amazed and proud of the talent of the children.

The work done by principal John Farrell and his staff is just inspirational. The children are delightful. A wonderful environment has been created.

The school has partnered itself with organisations and people that provide the marvellous support for its students. One program I would like to mention is the breakfast program that runs on a Monday and Friday morning. The program is sponsored by the Red Cross and is conducted in partnership with the local PCYC and community volunteers. I would like to thank the Red Cross and the local community for their terrific support over the year as you are making positive contribution to these great students.

The Ron Hoenig MP Outstanding Leadership Award went to Apollo Vo-Truong who showed excellent leadership potential and took on an active leadership role in his school and local community. Well done Apollo.

Gardeners Road Public School & Eastlakes Public School

Last week two very special schools in my electorate had their annual presentation day. Both Eastlakes Public School and Gardeners Road Public School celebrated the year that was, and the student’s achievements along with the fond memories that made them laugh, learn and experience.

As I was attending other school presentation events at the same time I unfortunately  was not able to attend, however, my wife Christine went along in my place awarding a student from each school the Ron Hoenig MP Outstanding Leadership Award to students that have demonstrated true leadership and have gone beyond just being a student, that they been a role model and a support to their peers.

I would like to congratulate Umaiya Rahman from Eastlakes Public for being the 2013 Outstanding Leadership Award recipient. Umaiya is well deserving of this award as she always goes out of her way to help all in the school community. She will take on any responsibility given to her and nothing is too much trouble. These are qualities of a leader and I congratulate Umaiya on her contribution to her peers and school.

I would also like to congratulate Elijah Tahau from Gardeners Road Public School as he has won this award as a student that shows great respect, honesty and is trustworthy in his dealings with his peers and teachers. Elijah is a true role model as he is always assisting others and setting a good example of excellence in behaviour and co-operation. This shows great citizenship and leadership and responsibility always follows through.

Congratualations to Umaiya and Elijah.

Tempe Public School Annual Presentation

Ron Hoenig MP with Harrision Andrews

 It was a pleasure this week to be the guest of Tempe Public School at their Annual Presentation Day. Tempe Public has a history going back to 1863 of providing quality education in a caring environment. The school has been refurbished with modern rooms. It is air-conditioned and also contains group-learning spaces, all contained within charming historic buildings.

The school has strong links with Tempe High School and its children are the beneficiaries of talented and dedicated staff that strongly value academic excellence. The school is well supported by an involved and supportive P & C, something that is essential for a school to thrive.

Every time I visit Tempe Public School, whether it is for presentation days, P & C meetings or simply to watch the children’s activities, I am made very welcome.

I was delighted to present to Harrison Andrews the Ron Hoenig Outstanding Leadership Award. Harrison has been an exemplary School Captain in 2013 and has been a real asset to the school, its staff and fellow students. Congratulations Harrison.

Alexandria Park Community School presentation evening

Ron Hoenig MP with Jennifer Vo,

It was wonderful to return to Alexandria Park Community School for their annual presentation evening. Held in the school auditorium, just renamed the "Denzil" after Mr Terry Denzil. Terry has been so dedicated and committed to the students of "Alex Park" it is was fitting tribute to a person that has given so much.

As Ms Diane Fetherston, the School Principal pointed out "Alexandria Park Community School is a dual campus, partially selective, co-educational Kindergarten to Year 12 School with an enrolment of 470 students. The school population consists of 75% of students from a Language Background Other Than English (LBOTE) and 15% of the students are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background with strong student learning and engagement programs to meet the needs, interests and talents of our LBOTE and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. 

"The school has a junior, middle school and senior structure with Opportunity Classes in Year 5 and Year 6 as well as a Selective Stream in Year 7 to Year 12 for academically gifted and talented students. There is a well-established vocational education program operating in the secondary school with strong partnerships with the local community, business groups and community organisations. There is a Community Centre operating within the school delivering and co-ordinating a variety of Pre-School and Parent/Family programs for families with children aged 0 to 5 years including supported playgroups and transition to Kindergarten.

 Year 6 Alice Zhang (left), Ron Hoenig MP, Year 12 Jacey Li (right)

"A sports development project in partnership with the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy operates from the school with aims to improve academic achievement, engagement, attendance and retention. The school has established close links with the University of Technology formalised through a memorandum of understanding and the University of Sydney. The school receives funding through the National Partnership Initiative. 

The staff are enthusiastic about their students achievements. Speaking with parents and students they too have a real affinity with the school, its staff and the local community. I was delighted to present the Ron Hoenig MP Outstanding Leadership Award and School Dux Awards.

The Ron Hoenig MP Outstanding Leadership Award went to Jennifer Vo, who certainly demonstrated true leadership qualities as she contributed so much to her school, fellow peers and local community through many activities.

The School Dux awards were award to Year 6 Alice Zhang, and Year 12 Jacey Li.

I would like to congratulate all students of this fine school for making a tremendous effort in their education for 2013, whether it was academically, creatively through music or drama, sporting triumphs or for achieving a personal best.