Message from Nick Wakeling MP

This year has been a school year like no other. It has seen a number of my favourite school events cancelled, but thankfully some were still able to proceed.

At the start of the year, many schools had to cancel their tours of Parliament House, where I would have normally taken the students on a personal tour.

In July, local schools would have participated in National School Tree Day. For the past 12 years I have visited schools and donated native shrubs for students to plant and cultivate within their own school gardens.

The Primary School Captains Luncheon, another favourite of mine, also had to be cancelled. The School Captains Luncheon would have seen Grade Six school
student leaders from around Knox come together in my office for lunch and to celebrate the achievements of their final school year.

Fortunately, the Premiers Reading Challenge, which is enjoyed by many students, was able to proceed. This is a great initiative that assists students in improving their reading skills. Given the tough year, it has given many students a great deal of comfort during home
schooling. Many students have done exceptionally well in reading countless books this year. Each school was invited to recognise a student, with my offering of a certificate and a book voucher in recognition of their fantastic reading efforts and for taking part in the Premiers Reading Challenge.

I am pleased that I am still able to proceed with presenting this year’s Ferntree Gully Endeavour Awards. Although school graduation will look very different this year, I am delighted that I can still recognise students chosen by their schools who have shown great endeavour throughout their entire school years, not just during their graduating year. The Endeavour Award is for students who have strived to do their best in all aspects of their school lives, have been helpful towards other students and staff, and have been great representatives of their school.

I would like to wish all Grade Six students the very best for their remaining weeks of their school year and wish them well in their future schooling.

Nick Wakeling MP