2023 Minister’s Awards - Minister’s Speach

I hope this is the first of many that I get to attend and celebrate with all of these beautiful children. I want to begin by acknowledging that we are on the traditional lands of the Bedigal people this evening. I pay my respects to Elders, past and present, and of course I extend that respect to any other Aboriginal people that are present here tonight. I have a lot of distinguished guests that I'd like to acknowledge as well, many consular officials, members of the Community Language School Advisory Committee, there are community and religious leaders associated with your community language schools, there is the Secretary of the NSW Department of Education and Senior Officers, there are parents, caregivers, friends, there are wonderful principals and teachers, and the most important people, you. You, these young people getting these wonderful awards, doing a great job of being the emcees this evening, speaking in your own language, it's just blowing me away, I'm so impressed. I'm impressed with everything that I've seen this evening, but I do have to have a special shout out to that wonderful Tibetan entertainment group, I just thought that was magnificent. And just there on that stage, we just can see what community language schools do in NSW for all of the children and for the community at large that you reach. I am so pleased to be here at this presentation ceremony for the 31st NSW Ministers Award for Excellence in Student Achievement in Community Language Schools. It is such a special pleasure to celebrate another year of exceptional achievement and contributions by our staff and students in our wonderful community languages schools. These schools flourish because they are supported by so many wonderful people, and hundreds of them are here this evening. The teachers, the parents, the volunteers, the community members, and the students that make them thrive. It makes me very, very proud to be Education Minister. All the time I'm proud, tonight I'm especially proud. I know we have such selfless and dedicated people in our communities helping you wonderful kids learn, and we can see that on display here tonight. People, selfless people in our communities who are committed to improving educational outcomes for our kids. And the challenge for me as your Minister, and for the government I represent, is ensuring that in everything we do, we are matching and living up to that level of commitment that's on show here tonight. And the commitment that is shown by our community language schools right across this state each and every day. Because we share the same vision. We want to see each and every child in New South Wales reach their full potential, given every opportunity to succeed and thrive. I want to thank the more than 3,000 community languages teachers, 3,000, who prepare and present lessons in our schools outside normal school hours each and every week. You are truly remarkable. Thank you. It is also an honour to meet so many representatives of the different languages communities here tonight. By getting involved in the education of our children, you are creating such positive partnerships between schools and local communities. That means our students have the chance to excel. And I can't stress enough how much I welcome it in creating a diverse, multicultural and multilingual society. Across our country, there are 350 different spoken languages. And I'm even more thrilled that I hear those spoken languages in our schools. More than a third of our students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken by either the students themselves and or at least one parent or carer. Students from language backgrounds other than English in New South Wales public schools have 237 different language backgrounds. Is it any wonder that the community languages schools in this state are so vibrant? As you all know, speaking the language of your ancestry brings your families together. And I think that's evident by what we've been reading as you wonderful children have been explaining why you value going to a community language school. And pretty much every one of you have said, I can talk to my grandmother or my grandfather or my cousins in my own country. And that's beautiful for us to hear. It ensures that what you value and what makes your culture special is shared across your generations. And hopefully it's something that you pass down to your children. I know the thought of having children is a long way away for you. But passing down to the next generation, sharing through language what's important. Food, dance, the wonderful traditional dress and the wisdom that comes with age and experience. It makes every culture unique. For many of our wonderful students here this evening, a second language is part of your identity. And it really provides you with a sense of belonging. But you know it also helps with your academic outcomes. It helps with your school results. It enhances your ability to think, read and write. Because learning to speak a second language also conveys a deeper understanding of other languages, of your first language. You all know that teaching and learning a community language is a rich and rewarding experience. That's why your community language schools are so important. As the world has become a smaller place with advances in technology, knowing more than one language will be a vital tool in the economic and social development of NSW. Since the early 1980s, both the Federal and NSW Governments have recognised the value of maintaining a child's second language by providing funding for the Community Language Schools grant program. I'm really proud to announce that the NSW Means Labor Government is investing an additional $17.9 million into the Community Languages Schools program. To support community language schools in the vital role they play in language education. This means that there will be a $100 parent rebate when children attend regularly and pass their exams. The per capita grant will also increase for community language schools and this is something that's been asked for for many, many years. There is funding for 306 community not-for-profit organisations representing 62 community languages so that they can deliver community language classes to over 35,000 students across NSW. And for our 3,000 community languages teachers, we are establishing a pathway option to become qualified to teach in NSW public schools. To the students, I applaud your commitment to language learning and I know that you will reap the rewards of this study into the future. You're already reaping rewards. The fact that you can stand here and address 800 people with confidence just shows what you're getting from these schools. It is worth, it's worth the extra time on weekends, after school, the 8 o'clock lessons you have to go into on a Saturday. Stick with it. Please stick with it. Because knowing more than one language is a skill that's going to give you an edge forever when you're looking for work and it's going to enrich your lives. Tonight we're here to celebrate the work of 141 students who have made the commitment to study their community language. I want to congratulate the 67 recipients of the Highly Commended Awards and the 64 recipients of the Commended Awards. You are very fine ambassadors of your communities. Special congratulations must also go to the recipients of the Ministers' Awards that I'll be presenting shortly. Your dedication, your enthusiasm for language learning is just remarkable. And you have done a really great job tonight and we've all seen the skills that you have been encouraged to develop in community language schools. We also want to celebrate the achievements of the 2023 Community Languages Ambassadors. Their job is to promote the benefits of studying a community language and how it contributes to achieving your personal goals. And it now gives me great pleasure to present the Ministers' Awards for Excellence in Student Achievement, Community Language Schools.