Wednesday 5 October 2022

Shadow Minister for Customer Service; Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Member for Chatsworth, Mr Steve Minnikin MP; Acting Regional Director, Metropolitan Region Department of Education, Ms Racquel Gibbons, and Assistant Regional Director, Mr Hugh Goodfellow; Chair of the School Council, Dr Matt Young; Principal, Ms Deborah Driver; Deputy Principals; Educators, aides, and support staff; P&C Committee members; students; ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls.

I begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and extend respectful greetings to Elders, past, present and emerging.

Graeme and I are so pleased to be visiting your beautiful school this morning, and I am delighted to have this chance to talk to you on what is recognised internationally as World Teachers’ Day.

While in Queensland we officially celebrate this occasion on the 28^th of October, I think our incredible teachers—and all of the wonderful people who support them—are more than worthy of two opportunities to say “thank you”.

In fact, we really should thank them every single day for all they do!

I know that the teachers, aides and staff here at Camp Hill State Infants and Primary School share so much more than their deep knowledge and wisdom. They encourage you to do your best in all areas, reassure you when you are trying something new or difficult, and are immensely enthusiastic about your successes.

Your school’s recent triumphs at the Ekka’s Flower and Garden Competition—some of which I was honoured to award—demonstrate what hard work, passion and fantastic imaginations can achieve, but also how much our own victories rely on the contribution and help of others.

Almost every day in my job as Governor of Queensland—and as the representative of King Charles the Third in this State—I am required to meet lots of different people and take on unfamiliar, sometimes challenging tasks.

But I do not do this alone. At Government House, many experienced people are there to help guide me and offer me support.

This is why your school motto ‘Together We Achieve’ is so powerful. It highlights how when we work with one another, listen to others, and offer our help, we all benefit and as a result, the communities we live in become so much stronger.

You are so lucky to attend a school that fosters this concept, as well as providing you with such a lovely learning environment, including a koala corridor.

I was also impressed to discover you have your very own ‘Learning Tree’ here, and my husband Graeme and I are looking forward to sitting under it to read a book to some of you after today’s assembly. It’s a special book about Government House, and it’s called ‘A Place for All Queenslanders’.

Finally, while I encourage you to always try your hardest and to do your best, I also urge you to be generous towards others, and most importantly to remember to thank those who help you along the way—your teachers, friends and families.

I thank all of you for listening to me this morning and inviting me to visit your lovely school.

Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing, the Honourable Grace Grace MP; representing the Director-General, Department of Education, Deputy Director-General, Early Childhood, Ms Sharon Schimming; Principals and Educators; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands of Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and extend respectful greetings to their Elders, past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.

Graeme and I welcome you all to Government House this afternoon as we join the more than 100 countries worldwide that today are celebrating World Teachers’ Day. 

You represent the incredible range of educational providers we are fortunate to have in our State, and have come from as far afield as Jondaryan and Texas to be here, so I thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules.

As Principals and Educators, you are well aware that teaching is so much more than helping a student master the alphabet, or solve a tricky algebraic equation.

Teachers wear many hats, regardless of whether their students are Preppies or Seniors. They are counselors, planners, judges, diplomats, and sometimes even peacekeepers—every single day imparting wisdom and inspiration as much as they are sharing facts and knowledge.

Words such as patience, creativity and adaptability describe the qualities teachers are required to have to tackle the tricky situations that arise in a normal day at school.

Yet COVID-19 demonstrated to all Queenslanders that in the face of an unexpected and unpredictable health crisis, teachers were our State’s champions—embracing innovative ways (such as remote learning) to continue to deliver quality education to their students.

This helped to maintain the vital connections our young people—and their families—depend upon to feel supported.

This year’s UNESCO theme ‘The transformation of education begins with teachers’ alludes to the important role that teachers play in driving positive change^.

Nelson Mandela said that “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”, and we know that an important part of the profession is working to ensure that our children develop into resourceful, independent and tolerant adults, who are prepared to keep learning throughout their lives.

Today’s children face a complex future that will be even more fast-paced and technologically advanced, and where there are many uncertainties. I am reassured knowing that our amazing, hard-working

Educators will rise to these challenges—as they have always done—with enthusiasm, ingenuity and their own love of learning.

On the 28^th of October, the whole of Queensland will have the opportunity to show their gratitude and appreciation, when our schools and communities reflect on World Teachers’ Day and the 2022 State theme ‘Teaching through every moment’. This sentiment encapsulates both the enormous scope of the role and the positive impact our teachers are having on students.

On today’s special international day of celebration, I thank each of you for supporting the wonderful teachers at your schools and for providing such exceptional learning environments for young Queenslanders.

As you leave this evening, and again on the 28^th of October, you will notice Government House lit up in blue, green and purple – the colours of World Teacher’s Day – in recognition, celebration and promotion of the important work you all do. On behalf of a grateful State, thank you.