This is an exciting time for all students including those in the electorate of Capalaba as we near the end of the academic year. Yesterday I welcomed the school leaders of Birkdale, Birkdale South, Alexandra Hills, Hilliard and Vienna Woods state schools, as well as Capalaba State College’s junior campus, to parliament for a barbecue lunch. This was an occasion to celebrate their achievements over the past year and all the fantastic work they have been doing in their school communities.
Afterwards the students had a chance to tour this place and learn about our democratic institutions and history. The conversations I had over lunch about the big issues facing our younger generations filled me with real confidence that our future is in safe hands. I feel that most of them are enthusiastic and really looking forward to moving up into high school next year. No doubt some may be a little nervous about the unknown, but I am confident they will all do well.
We also had a chance to play some games and were lucky enough to be joined by the education minister along with our youngest member of parliament, Ariana Doolan, the member for Pumicestone. I give a special shout-out to Frank and Braxton from Alexandra Hills State School, who managed to beat a couple of my staff at a game of Giant Connect 4.
It was not just the primary school kids who have had the opportunity to visit parliament. Earlier this year I also invited the school leaders from Alexandra Hills State High School and Capalaba State College’s senior campus to the parliamentary dining room for lunch. They were rapt. These impressive young people have gone above and beyond in what can be an already stressful year for grade 12 students, and I feel this was a just reward. They have displayed great leadership and learned some important lessons that will stand them in good stead for their future.
I understand that the end is in sight—exams are almost finished and schoolies is just around the corner. Whether they head to university, take up a trade as I did or head straight into another field of work, I know that they will do their best and make sure our state is a much better place. I look forward to continuing to work with our local school communities over the coming years to create an even better Capalaba for everybody—young and old.
