Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (20:00): I was impressed with the member for Davidson's speech, and all of us in the House, including Government members, wish him a speedy recovery on the very important journey for him and his family. His speech was very touching and is one that will inspire all of us and those who have to undergo a similar journey. All children deserve access to quality education, to feel safe in inclusive learning environments, and a fair go. That is why I have long advocated for the students at Passfield Park School in Minto. It is a special school which caters for special kids who have a range of disabilities and very complex needs. The school's principal, Wendy Low, spearheaded a community campaign over many years to improve the educational outcomes for her students. She has done a sterling job. During the 1990s Wendy was a librarian, a teacher and, later, an assistant principal at Passfield Park School. Wendy went on to work at various other schools before returning to Passfield Park School as principal in term 2 of April 2017.
Due to her strong leadership skills and collaborative approach, Wendy quickly earned the respect of staff, parents and the wider community. It was during those years when she first returned to Passfield Park School that she realised there was a strong need for change. The school, which was then located on Guernsey Avenue, was not fit for purpose. Mould was rife throughout the buildings, making the students and staff quite unwell. The school's appalling conditions made the headlines, but still the former Government failed to act. Wendy, also president of the Passfield Park Kids Inc charity, could not let her kids suffer any more. Drawing on her strong community connections, Wendy brought people together to fight for the students' equity and dignity. Families, supporters, community organisations and local MPs, including me, and local Federal member, Dr Mike Freelander, called for urgent change. Wendy fought vigorously to draw attention to the school's unsafe conditions and the urgent need for a completely new school to give the students a better future. It took years of hard work, continued advocacy, steely determination and a can-do attitude. Wendy made it her mission to improve the students' outcomes.
The redevelopment of Passfield Park School was a long time in the making, but the journey was certainly worth it. In 2022 Passfield Park School opened at its new location on Durham Street in Minto—a win for our local community and for the young people of Passfield Park School. The new, purpose-built school has brought so much joy. We can see it in the smiles of the staff and students and we can hear it in the voices of their families when they speak highly of the school, its dedicated staff and the state-of-the-art learning environment. The transformation of Passfield Park School is truly remarkable. It is one of the most rewarding community campaigns I have ever been involved with since being elected as the local member. Every time I visit Passfield Park School I am reminded that the power of community campaigns can change lives forever.
It is thanks to Wendy's leadership, vision and commitment to improving the lives of her students that Passfield Park School is today an exemplary model of special education. Wendy has single-handedly devoted her career to enhancing the lives of kids with disabilities and their families. Her passion for students with complex learning needs is to be highly commended. Since Wendy's stewardship of the school it has undergone tremendous, positive change that has put the educational needs of the students, their welfare and their happiness first and foremost. The former school had only 50 students. The newly redeveloped school has around 100 students, 16 classrooms and more than 40 staff. I had the pleasure of opening the school's brand-new library in August last year, and I very much look forward to visiting the school again next month for the new Liberty Swing, funded through a Community Building Partnership grant.
Wendy is due to retire at the end of this term and is keen to spend time exploring the rest of the country and enjoying more time with her family and friends. She will certainly be missed by the teachers, administration staff, students, families and the broader community. We extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Wendy for her valuable contributions to Passfield Park School community. Demonstrating exemplary leadership, Wendy shone her light brightly. She lit a path for others so they too might follow in her footsteps. The time has come for Wendy to pass the torch. I am certain that the new leadership team will continue Wendy's legacy, and Passfield Park School and its students will continue to shine bright for the future.
