Get Involved - Parliament

Public Education

Published on: March 2025

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-150930

Public Education

Mr TIM CRAKANTHORP (Newcastle) (15:00:51):

I move:

That this House:

(1)Notes that students across Newcastle have returned to school for term 1.

(2)Wishes all students and teachers a happy and successful 2025 school year.

(3)Commends the Government's ongoing commitment to rebuild public education in New South Wales, including rolling out explicit teaching, reducing teacher vacancies, and building new and upgraded schools.

Having been surrounded by many incredible teachers throughout my life, including my grandmother, both my parents and my wife, I would not dare to undervalue the impact that teachers have in our communities. But jokes aside, growing up around educators has given me an invaluable insight and a deep appreciation of all forms of education. I have witnessed firsthand how our teachers go above and beyond for their students—whether it is volunteering to support students at after-hours school events, going to work early to plan classes, or staying up late at night to mark papers.

Data has proven time and again how essential teachers are to the social fabric of our communities. Whether it is in early education, primary schools, high schools or tertiary education, teachers play a vital role in ensuring our kids have the confidence and skills needed to be active members within our community. Let's be honest: Without the support of teachers, none of us would have the skills we need to stand here today. This was further reaffirmed during the COVID lockdowns, during which our teachers went above and beyond to continue supporting and educating students, quickly transitioning all class models and teaching to online platforms.

As a father of four kids in public education during lockdown periods, I can say the online classes were a lifeline, enabling my kids to have a semblance of normality and connect with others while the world was isolating. However, despite all the research and seeing how valuable our teachers were during the lockdowns, the former Liberal-Nationals Government continued to neglect and undervalue the teaching profession, resulting in a statewide teacher shortage crisis. For 12 long years, the former Government supressed wages, positioning New South Wales teachers as the lowest paid educators in the country. This not only completely undermined the hard work of our teachers but also led to a record number of teacher resignations and vacancies, peaking in a daily shortfall of more than 3,300 across the State. Rather than stepping up and taking accountability for the crisis, former education Minister Sarah Mitchell had the audacity to gaslight the teachers who were crying for help, claiming they were "beating up" the situation. As a result, our kids were the ones who suffered, with over 10,000 merged and cancelled classes every day across New South Wales in 2023.

The Minns Labor Government understands the importance of our educators. We listened to their concerns and expertise, and we committed to fixing the mess left behind by the Opposition. Since being elected to government, we have taken huge steps to address the teacher shortage crisis. In October last year, we scrapped the Liberal-Nationals Government's cap on wages to deliver the most significant teacher pay rise in a generation. Further, the Minns Labor Government has implemented several measures to improve attraction, retention and flexibility within public schools, including making 16,000 temporary teachers and support staff permanent to create more stability for students, as well as providing additional support for 700 schools; replacing the former Government's disastrous student behaviour policy to empower teachers and principals to deal with disruptive and persistent misbehaviour; setting clear guidelines for digital communications in school hours; and halving the number of policy procedures and staff meetings to enable our teachers to spend more time in the classroom.

In the short space of time since the Minns Labor Government implemented these measures, the public education system has seen many record wins, including positioning New South Wales teachers among the highest paid educators in Australia. Permanent teacher vacancies are now at an outstanding four-year low, with teacher vacancies down 40 per cent across the State and 50 per cent in Newcastle public schools. Resignations have fallen for the first time in 13 years, and are currently at a four-year low. In addition, the number of cancelled and merged classes across the State has halved from 10,000 a day to 5,700.

More recently, the agreement by the Albanese and Minns Labor governments to fully and fairly fund New South Wales public schools emphasises our commitment to supporting New South Wales teachers. The $4.8 billion in additional Commonwealth funding represents the biggest ever new investment in New South Wales public schools by the Australian Government. It will ensure more teachers are at the front of the classroom, supporting the education and wellbeing of our students. Free and accessible education is globally recognised as a fundamental human right, and every person should have access to the opportunities that education creates.

I commend the Minns Labor Government for delivering more equitable and accessible educational avenues for New South Wales. This is in stark contrast to the actions of members opposite. I end with some shocking quotes. When the Premier said to the Hon. Damien Tudehope, "A lot of them can't forget that during COVID you didn't have 2.5 per cent as a wages cap; you put it down to zero. Was it a good decision?" the Hon. Damien Tudehope replied, "A very good decision." The member for Ku-ring-gai has said, "The reality is that teachers have got those substantial increases without demonstrating any productivity improvement." That really sums it up—the lowest paid teachers are now the highest paid.

Mr MATT CROSS (Davidson) (15:07:48):

The Opposition will not oppose the motion. The motion started off so well. It notes that students across Newcastle have returned to school for term 1. That is very true; there is nothing truer than that. Students in Davidson have also returned to school for term 1. Students have also returned to school in Oatley, but I will let the member for Oatley speak for himself. Paragraph (2) wishes all the students and teachers a very happy and successful 2025 school year. Nothing could be more true. We are strong supporters of the work that our teachers do. To echo the member for Newcastle, every student should have access to the highest quality education.

Paragraph (3) is where the motion gets a little disappointing. It commends the Government's ongoing commitment to rebuild public education. I suspect it is rebuilding public education since it was destroyed under the Carr Labor Government and right up until 2011. The Government is continuing to rebuild public education, just like the Liberals and The Nationals continued to rebuild education after the previous Labor Government. I support explicit teaching, which is about a teacher-centred approach where educators clearly and directly explain and demonstrate learning goals and outcomes, providing structural guidance and opportunities for practise and feedback. I think every member in this House supports that. I quote the former Minister:

The Curriculum Reform is continuing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as we build an evidence-based world class curriculum …

Through this consultation, teachers are helping build and refine content and outcomes.

The new curriculum removes any ambiguity for teachers and comes with explicit teaching advice.

That Minister was former Minister Sarah Mitchell, speaking in August 2021. Explicit teaching started under the previous Liberal‑Nationals Government and has continued under this Government. Credit is due to the previous Government for making sure that it became a teaching method.

The second point is about reducing teacher vacancies. Of course there are vacancies. The COVID pandemic was very tough on everyone concerned. Interestingly, a media release put out in August 2024 titled "More teaching and learning hours as teachers move back on class" said that a review would see hundreds of deputy principals, assistant principles and head teachers return to the classroom to teach. It is fair to say that that is the Government moving chess pieces across the board. Of course they have reduced vacancies, because they are saying that deputy principals, assistant principals and head teachers are returning to the classroom. Let us put that on record.

The third point is about building new and upgraded schools. As I said in my opening remarks, governments since 2011 have had to rebuild public education. How many schools did the Labor Government shut from 1995 to 2011? It shut 83 schools in 16 years. There were 58 schools shut between 1995 and 2005, then eight in 2005. In 2006 it shut three, in 2007 it closed four and in 2008 it closed one. Then there was the year of shame, when in 2009 it closed 12 public schools. So it closed 83 schools. The Liberal-Nationals Coalition came into government in 2011. We opened 37 new schools, including three new schools in 2014 and five in 2015. Then there was a year, in 2019, when nine schools opened. It was great investment in education.

The Labor Party has good form when it comes to shutting schools, including not proceeding with schools. No doubt that is affecting the community of the member for North Shore, who is in the Chamber. An interesting article by Lucy Carroll from February 2025 titled "These North Shore schools have been shelved but thousands of new homes are coming" stated:

The NSW government has shelved plans for new schools earmarked for St Leonards and Chatswood as thousands of new homes are set to be delivered in the area under transport-oriented rezoning reforms.

The article goes on to say that, in estimates, the Deputy Secretary of School Infrastructure said that changing enrolment demand meant there was no "urgent need" for a new primary school at St Leonards. The problem is that when we do not open up new schools with new infrastructure, local area enrolment will continue to shift. My experience on the lower North Shore is that there is no new infrastructure to support those communities, and that is starting to impact on the upper North Shore. It nothing short of a disgrace in February when, with little or no consultation, local enrolment areas for Killara High School were changed. That affects families deeply. Those are life-changing decisions and there was zero consultation by the Department of Education.

I think members would agree that we want to see best practice in community consultation. One of my deep values is community-mindedness. It is important to talk to communities. Funding is important when it comes to education and achieving great learning outcomes, but the other thing is to build the infrastructure needed for students to reach their full potential. It is so disappointing that the Labor Government has shelved those schools. In contrast, in 2021 the former Coalition Government allocated more than $7 million for early plans at St Leonards education precinct and a new primary school in Chatswood. We had put the money there; we had it funded and planned. But, sadly, we now have a Labor Government.

Ms SONIA HORNERY (Wallsend) (15:14:48):

I thank the member for Newcastle for moving the motion. The more we can discuss the needs of public schools and the value of public schoolteachers, the better, as far as I am concerned. Many members know that I was a teacher for a very long time—a public schoolteacher by choice. I taught as a chalkie in Walgett, Kempsey, Northlakes and Kurri Kurri. I was never a head teacher or deputy. That was not what I wanted; I wanted to work with children in the classroom.

My comment to the member for Davidson is this: As a former chalkie, I have no problem with more head teachers, deputy principals, assistant principals and principals in the classroom because I believe that, as an educator, your role is to be in the classroom, not in an office. I will leave it at that. I remember the days of a very famous education Minister, a bloke by the name of Terry Metherell. At the time I was teaching in the bush, in Kempsey. I remember the things he said about public schoolteachers, as my education Minister, and how I had never felt so demoralised in my life. I will not take that any further, but it was a disappointing stage.

Governments need to value all teachers in all classrooms across New South Wales. As I have mentioned before, when I was teaching in Walgett, I saw a great gulf between the kids I taught at Walgett High School and some of the children who grew up in the Walgett area in terms of the opportunities they had. There was definitely a three-tier system in Walgett. I never really knew that because I grew up in West Wallsend, where nearly all kids went to a public school, and thank heavens for that. The richest kids—the cocky kids—went down to Sydney and had schools with 50-metre pools, diving pools and all the mod cons. The parents who wanted to keep their kids in Walgett but could not face them going to the public school sent them to the local Catholic school.

It was really tough for the public school kids in Walgett; it was tough for the teachers too. The resources were very limited and, personally, I thought that was really sad. We did not have a P&C or canteen facilities that ran every day. The kids really missed out, although we did the best we could as teachers. The Government needs to work to ensure that, whether someone is a working-class person living in Bourke and or they live in the northern beaches—and whether or not they want their child to go to the public school—all kids have the same opportunities. There is no way they are born with the same opportunities. A child who is poor is not born with the same opportunities as a child who is born into a wealthy family. I thank the member for Newcastle for moving this important motion. Let us value our public schools and our public schoolteachers forever.

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (15:18:58):

This is an excellent motion where it pertains to our public schools, students, teachers, communities and parents. It is week eight now. Can we believe we have gotten through eight weeks already, considering we had the longest public school holidays in the history of time over the last Christmas period? My own little girl has today got her school photos. Earlier in the week, she had an excursion. She had a St Patrick's Day event. Tomorrow the whole school is celebrating Harmony Day. Those are some of the wonderful things that our public schools put together for our students. That takes work from our teachers, and our P&Cs do so much behind the scenes. Of course, the contribution and involvement of all our students big and small is also vital.

Our public schools are special environments to be involved in. Across my community, I have about 24 schools. I recognise all of those schools, and I particularly thank the educators for their work. I thank the member for Newcastle for allowing us to do that in the Chamber today. I hope that my new school leaders are enjoying their new experiences. We have a newly appointed principal at Neutral Bay Public School with Joann Sayers. We have a new principal at Wenona with Linda Douglas. We have two new principals at the brand-new Reddam House North Shore with Dave Pitcairn and Dee Pitcairn. Dr Nicole Archard is also enjoying her first year as principal of Loreto Kirribilli Senior School. I want to make sure that they all feel very welcome in our educational community across North Shore.

In the past couple of years three schools in my electorate have received significant upgrades, and well over $100 million has been spent on upgrading education facilities in my community. I acknowledge the wonderful principal Susan Wyatt at Mosman High School. The upgrade at that school includes 15 new classrooms, new administration staff facilities, a library and a roof-top basketball court that is iconic for public education and better than one at any private school—sorry to those paying those fees. It is incredibly important for us to make sure that we do that for public education.

North Sydney Demonstration School has a brand-new hall, 19 new classrooms, a new covered outdoor learning area, a new canteen and upgraded amenities. It also has wonderful new staff facilities and a brand-new accessible entrance so that everyone can get to and from school. Neutral Bay Public School, my own school, has new classrooms, a new library, new administration areas, new out-of-school-hours facilities and improvements to some heritage buildings. That work took many years. I recognise the P&Cs, the school councils and my predecessor Jillian Skinner, who all worked hand in hand to make sure that we could fund those upgrades through investment from the former Liberal Government.

It is crucial that we recognise the comment in the third paragraph of the motion, where the member for Newcastle wants to commend the Government for its ongoing commitment to rebuild public education in New South Wales. This is not about postcodes, it is not about electorates and it is not about socio‑economic status. As the member for Wallsend said, this is about every single student having the best start in life and an investment made in them regardless of their circumstances. We see now that Labor is starting to let down communities like my own. In 2018 it was recognised that we needed a new primary school and high school in St Leonards. The Labor Government kept that in the budget for the last two budgets, but now we have ambiguity about whether those two new schools have been cancelled. Those schools are even more required since the 10-year-old Cammeraygal High School opened by the previous Liberal Government hit capacity in November last year and turned away students who live on that same street as the school.

This Government needs to take seriously ensuring that we are delivering schools as community assets for students in every postcode across New South Wales. I have reached out to the Minister for Education and Early Learning. I would welcome her coming to see Cammeraygal High School and sites in St Leonards. I want to make sure that every student across out State has the investment needed.

Mr CLAYTON BARR (Cessnock) (15:23:10):

As a parent, how good is it that school has gone back? Let us celebrate that, at the very least. Let us celebrate the fact that some students are starting their very first year of school, while other students finished school last year and are starting the first year of the rest of their lives. I acknowledge, very carefully and sensitively, that school is the only safe environment in the lives of some young people. Being back at school gives those students the chance to feel safe for at least six or seven hours a day. For some students, school gives them the chance to have a reliable source of food each day. That is the work that some schools now do in these difficult times.

I am sure that some young people look forward to returning to school for reasons that other students do not always think about. Certainly, in the electorate I represent, wonderful work is being done in our schools to support students who most need the love and care that is provided by their local school. In the Cessnock electorate, there are 24 public schools and three public high schools, four Catholic primary schools, and one Christian school that ranges from prep through to year 12.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

Nulkabar represent!

Mr CLAYTON BARR:

I could not possibly comment on Nulkaba Public School, because that is where my kids went and that would suggest I was biased. Last year our public schools had seven relieving principals, and I look forward to resolving that situation during the course of this year. In the electorate of Cessnock, Congewai Public School, our smallest primary school, has just five students. Our largest school has 671 students. Our high school numbers are normally around 600 to 900, which is much smaller than some high schools in other electorates. Some 5,500 students were registered in our public schools at the start of 2025, and more than 3,000 students were registered in our public high schools. I give a shout-out to Greta Public School, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary this year. When the Europeans settled in Sydney, they struck out north. They went around the back of the Hawkesbury, and the Old Great North Road brought them in through Laguna, Wollombi and Millfield. They then went on to Maitland, which essentially became a shipping port to send product back to the new establishment at Sydney. I am looking forward very much to spending some time at Greta Public School.

I acknowledge that this Government has announced that it will build a brand-new primary school and high school at Huntlee, where a massive development of about 7,500 homes is coming online. I acknowledge that at about 5,000 homes have come online at Cameron Park, but still no school built there despite the fact the development has been underway for about 20 years. I also acknowledge that the education Minister stood up to the Federal Government and demanded, squeezed, pushed, prodded and poked for the funding we need to fulfil the Gonski funding model that will finally see our public schools recognised with 100 per cent of their funding. I thank Minister Car. I commend the motion to the House.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (15:27:41):

I thank the member for Newcastle for moving the motion today. It is a pleasure to talk about something that is very close to my heart: teachers and education. Education is the foundation of our society, and teachers are the ones who build that foundation. They do not just teach subjects. They inspire, mentor and shape the future. For me, this is not just a general statement. It is something that I see firsthand every day. It is personal to me. My wife is a teacher, as is my mother-in-law in Lebanon. With my wife I have seen the hard work, the dedication and the passion she and all teachers bring to the classroom. Teaching is not just a profession; it is a calling. It takes a lot of patience, resilience and an incredible amount of effort to guide students and to help them grow.

I acknowledge—particularly today after a phone call I had with her—Mrs Mateski, the principal of Mortdale Public School, where my two young boys attend. We thank her for her wonderful leadership at Mortdale.

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