Alysandria

Hello. My name is Alysandria Abian. Welcome to Seven Hills High School's vocational innovation centre.

Lucinda

I'm Lucinda Landall. We are here with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, the Honourable Prue Car.

Alysandria

As well as Murat Dizdar, who is the Secretary of the New South Wales Department of Education.

Lucinda

Before we start, I'd like to acknowledge the Darug people as the traditional custodians of this land. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders across our many schools.

Alysandria

Thank you for visiting our school for Public Education Week. This year's theme is Proud to Belong. How do you think that public education helps foster a sense of belonging among students?

Prue Car

Thank you so much for having us here at Seven Hills as we begin Public Education Week, where there's so much to love about public education, we are home in our public schools to 800,000 students across New South Wales.

Schools like this, amazing schools, like Seven Hills High School open their doors to absolutely everyone, it doesn't matter who you are, where you came from, what you're interested in, there is always something for everyone in public education.

We also have the most dedicated and passionate teachers you will find anywhere. They are all committed 100% each and every day to building inclusive and nurturing learning environments for you guys so that you can reach your full potential.

Lucinda

Can you share some success stories about some students who have felt a sense of pride in public education?

Murat

Sure. Every single day, right across New South Wales, there's amazing things happening in our 2,200 schools, and a big shout out to all our staff and students that make that happen each day.

You only need to look in our own backyard here at Seven Hills High School to see some of those phenomenal achievements.

I'm told that some of your peers are involved in the Future Space program. Big shout out to Ms Howell. Great work from her with your peers, I'm told they're on their way to test the growth of algae in zero gravity.

I feel ripped off. I never got to do those experiments at school. I'm even told that one of your students was even successful in designing the mission badge. It's purely amazing work. Credit to you and our teachers. One of the endless opportunities that I see in public education across this beautiful state.

Prue Car

So my question to you guys now is, how do you think we can foster a culture of respect and acceptance in our schools?

Alysandria

Well, I think that it's important to just be kind to one another and to treat others like how you want to be treated. Small acts of kindness can go a long way, like smiling at others in the hallway or helping someone who's struggling. We are all unique and should strive to understand and appreciate those around us.

Murat Dizdar

Well, let me ask you the next question; tell us how your school is preparing both of you and your peers to be active, engaged citizens in your communities?

Lucinda

Well, if you look at the classroom behind us, you'd be mistaken for thinking we're not actually in the school at all. But it's part of our Vocational Innovation centre, which offers both TAFE and school-based VET courses to students, all across western Sydney.

At the moment, you can study drainage, electric technology, supply chain operations and individual support.

Prue Car

Thank you so much for having us here at Seven Hills and for watching as we celebrate all of our public schools in Public Education Week.

Murat Dizdar

Make sure you beat the chest out and be loud and proud about public education. You do a phenomenal job each and every day, and this week is a time to celebrate and bring that to the fore.