Great news, following the crap-house job Barr has done of the Education portfolio…
Welcome Message from Chris Bourke MLA, Minister for Education and Training:
Dear staff of the Education and Training Directorate
I am very pleased to be appointed as your minister. I come from a family which was committed to life-long learning before it became a slogan. From an early age I was immersed in a home where education, achievement and community service were highly prized. This encouragement enabled me to complete my dental degree, becoming the first Aboriginal dentist in Australia.
I was attracted to dentistry in high school because of my interest in science, my enjoyment in working with my hands and a strong desire to help others. I hope all students in the ACT will similarly find areas of study that appeal to them and that they feel able to pursue because of the encouragement of their families, teachers and peers.
Canberra is an exciting education and research hub. We are home to five universities and the CIT as well as research institutions like the CSIRO. We are also leading in early childhood education through our innovative early childhood schools which form the beginning of a seamless approach to education, from cradle to work.
ACT students are ahead of the nation in many measures of academic performance, student participation and retention and in year 12 graduation. I look forward to continuing the work of the previous Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr, in delivering continual improvement of our education system to ensure our students are receiving the best education in the nation. Over the next few months I plan to visit all schools in the territory, starting next week.
I am also committed to continuing the good work that has already been done in helping to close the gap in educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs will be another of my new responsibilities.
I look forward to working with all of you in the Education and Training Directorate to deliver the best public education system in the country.
Status: For Information Only
From: Chris Bourke MLA, Minister for Education and Training