Monto combined schools assembly

Mayor Chambers and Councillors; Principals; students, staff and supporters of the five schools represented here this afternoon.

I at once acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we gather, and pay respect to their Elders past and present – with encouragement to their young emerging leaders.

Thank you for today’s wonderful rendition of our National Anthem, and thank you to the senior leaders of Monto State High School for your warm introduction.

This is the first time I have had the pleasure of making an official visit to the North Burnett Regional Council area, and I thank you all most sincerely for the opportunity to attend this very unique assembly.

Students, can you please indicate by way of a show of hands if you are from Monto State High School?

Monto State School?

St Therese’s Catholic Primary School?

Mulgildie State School?

Abercorn State School?

Thank you, it is tremendous to see you all here!

It speaks to the great diversity and depth of Queensland education that there are students and staff from the secondary and primary sectors, as well as from the State and Catholic sectors gathered in this hall.

It is evident that the future of this region is in very good hands, judging from the exemplary attitude displayed here today.

Soon I will present students from Mulgildie State School with their leadership badges, and I congratulate all of the school leaders here today for the position they hold within their respective school.

It is a special privilege to be able to serve your school community in that way.

A privilege that extends to every student is that of being able to go to school and receive an education.

I know you are regularly told Every Day Counts, and perhaps by now those words have faded into the scenery of school life, but they are genuinely important.

Attendance is not just confined to school.

It is the basic first step on which all future steps depend.

Those of you who play sport at school or club level, and those of you who are part of school bands or ensembles, understand how very important it is to attend every training, and every rehearsal.

Indeed, attendance will do more for your future than anything else can.

Students and staff, thank you for your hospitality today, it has been a real pleasure to hear about your schools, and the wider North Burnett community.

I wish you all the very best for the final days of Term 1, and for the rest of the school year.