Education Week 2020: A Time To Celebrate Learning Together

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today announced that Education Week 2020 is a terrific opportunity to celebrate the many achievements of our local public schools across the Kiama electorate and the critical role they play in equipping our students for the future.

Mr Ward said that ‘Learning together’ is a fitting theme given the extraordinary challenges this year has presented.

“In the face of drought, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, our local school communities have proven just how strong and adaptable they are,” he said.

“Teachers and support staff moved quickly to online lessons; parents and carers took on additional responsibilities at home and students adjusted to a new way of learning.”

Mr Ward said that many exciting opportunities lie ahead to build on the strengths of the public education system.

“Already 42 new and upgraded schools have been built in 2020 as part of the NSW Government’s $6.7 billion school infrastructure program, with more to come.

“We are also rebuilding the NSW curriculum to cut unnecessary content, focus on literacy and numeracy and modernise vocational education and training,” Mr Ward said.

The NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said Education Week has been a highlight of the NSW public education calendar for more than 60 years, and this year provided an opportunity to reflect on achievements over the past year.

“This is particularly relevant for the past year, as our education system has triumphed amidst difficult circumstances,” Ms Mitchell said.

“If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that schools are the cornerstone of our local communities in NSW and together we can achieve great things.”

This year’s Education Week will look a little different with many schools opting for virtual celebrations in place of the usual open classrooms and school assemblies.

Education Week 2020 events include a celebration of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and their language app; a student film festival introduced by actor Bryan Brown; a technology webinar for parents for the NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations; and the Secretary, Mark Scott, in conversation with secondary students.

Please visit the Education Week website for full details of the virtual celebrations at: education.nsw.gov.au/edweek20.