Stanthorpe State School Parade

Principal, Mrs Pozzi, Distinguished guests, Parents, Teachers, and Students,

Thank you very much for welcoming Kaye and me to Stanthorpe State School.

I very much admire your school motto – “Altiora Petentes” – which as you all know, means “striving for higher things”. 

To me, your motto means that this is a school where everyone – the students, their families and the teachers are working together, to make sure that every child graduates with the skills and knowledge you need to shape and develop your future – and that is a very fine thing indeed.

There is so much happening here at Stanthorpe State School – from your excellent Instrumental Music program through to the wonderfully exciting Digital technologies program – and of course, your wonderful award-winning, Borobi Boogie!

Are you all looking forward to the Commonwealth Games?

Every time and everywhere I ask that question around Queensland, I get a very big and loud “Yes”!

We are all very proud that the Commonwealth Games are coming to our Queensland, our Gold Coast, and looking forward to seeing our Australian athletes competing against the best in the Commonwealth.

Now you all know that you belong to Stanthorpe, thence Queensland, thence Australia. And because of that, you also belong to what we call the Commonwealth of Nations, a Commonwealth of like-minded nations, - so I hope you enjoy the Commonwealth Games, because they are your games.

I want to wish you all the very best as you march in tomorrow’s Apple and Grape Festival Parade.

You play a very important part in that Parade, because you are the future of Stanthorpe and the future of the Granite Belt.

Boys and Girls, thank you very much for your warm welcome today.

I know you will continue to ‘Be Resilient’, to ‘Be Respectful’, to ‘Be Responsible’, and to ‘Be Learners’, and I wish you and your teachers all the best for the school year.