Video transcript
Public Education Week 2024 – Rivendell

Brodie

We’re here today on Wangal and Burramattagal land to celebrate Public Education Week. Our school Rivendell, is a SSP school, meaning school for specific purposes. Our school prides itself on our respect and inclusion for everyone, giving every student a place to proudly belong. We are reminded by the beautiful and intricate scenery of our school, the diversity needed for nature as a whole to prosper.

Mark

Hi. My name is Mark.

Daniel

Hi, I'm Daniel.

Brodie

Hi. My name is Brodie.

Ruby

Hi, my name is Ruby. We're here today with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car.

Daniel

And also we're here with the Secretary for Education Murat Dizdar.

Mark

The theme for Education Week is Proud to Belong. How can schools ensure that the proud to belong theme is inclusive for students from diverse backgrounds?

Prue Car

Thanks, Mark. That's such an important question. You know, New South Wales is a really diverse place. And in public education we pride ourselves on being a place where everyone can belong.

We have so much diversity in all of our 2,200 public schools and our teachers, our wonderful teachers and our support staff are wrapping their arms around everyone in all of our schools, each and every day.

We are proud to be a diverse system, and we're so proud of all of our schools and the work that they do to encourage and foster diversity and belonging in each one of our schools.

Ruby

How well do you think our schools are tackling the challenge of mental health?

Murat Dizdar

I really think our public schools are just phenomenal. It's not just about literacy and numeracy and the academics. Our schools know that wellbeing and healthy wellbeing of each of our students is so important.

So I'm really proud of our schools because as I move across the state, I see them tackling these issues, getting experts into the school, having learning support teams and support staff talk about the importance of mental health.

Prue Car

So my question actually is to Ruby; Ruby, what makes this school, your school, so special and a place where you feel like that you can belong?

Ruby

For me Rivendell is not just a place of learning. It's more of a community, and ever since I came through these doors, I've just been embraced with this acceptance, and just welcoming. Like these people, the staff members go above and beyond, their roles as educators. Just becoming my mentors, my supporters and my friends.

When I was at my worst, they were there. They were lifting me back up and when I was striving, they were on the sidelines cheering for me.

Prue Car

That is so beautiful.

Murat Dizdar

My hairs are standing up. That’s beautiful.

Mark, tell us why you think public schools are so important to their communities.

Mark

As a community member, there's a sort of connection that sprouts when a school is in the area. Everyone sort of can relate in some way their lives to the school and through that anyone in a public school is sort of a kin, in a way. And I just find that very important.

But as students, there's also a lot of opportunities for learning about civic leadership and responsibility.

Prue Car

So, Daniel, how do you think your school here creates a sense of belonging between you and your community through the building of your career and your pathways after school?

Daniel

I think the most important thing that Rivendell has done for me is provide me a safe place for me to really come into my own identity and learn to embrace that. And yeah, through that, I've been able to build connections in the community, build friendships and all round, just find like-minded people.

The teachers and support staff have been especially helpful in helping me realise what I want to do with my life and really help me work towards that in a practical and effective way. Like volunteering through Inner West Neighbour Aid and helping in the community garden or taking part in the Intergenerational Alive and Kicking program.

And yeah, I've really formed community connections through that as well, and I find that very valuable.

Murat Dizdar

Well, my question my final question is to the group. Can any of you see yourselves being Principal of Rivendell School? Back here leading the charge.

Mark

It's tough to see anyone else taking the role from Patrick.

Ruby

He just seems like. Yeah, he's just a leader. Like he's been there the entire time I’ve been here.

Brodie

It's also very big shoes to fill. Yeah. Yeah. Quite literally

Happy Public Education Everyone.

Please take the time to look through the rest of our presentational videos. And we hope you guys have a good, Public Education Week.

Prue Car

Thank you.

Murat Dizdar

Thank you, thanks for having us.