Official visit to Morayfield State School

Minister Ryan; Mayor Sutherland; Principal, Ms Loretta White; students, staff and supporters of Morayfield State School.

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 to Kurt for this morning’s Welcome to Country, and to all of you for the fine rendition of our National Anthem.

I particularly enjoyed the fact it was also presented in Auslan – what a wonderful spirit of inclusion, and sense of community.

Speaking of community, it is wonderful to see Minister Ryan in attendance today, in his home electorate, thank you for joining us.

Kaye and I are delighted to have the opportunity to visit you all here at this charming heritage-listed school, and I am very proud to see the Governor’s Standard flying over your grounds.

We had the pleasure of meeting 20 of your students from years three to six last October, when they visited us for a tour of Government House in Brisbane.

The boys and girls were certainly very passionate about their school, and excited to win the Ekka School Scarecrow Competition with their creation – quite aptly named Mr Biology.

We also had the pleasure of hosting the scarecrow at Government House, where he fulfilled his brief of welcoming visitors, rather than scaring them away.

I congratulate you all once again on how very detailed and well thought-out your scarecrow was.

We look forward after assembly to meeting the Guardians of the Garden, and visiting your community garden.

Those who help maintain the garden know how important it is to tend to it each and every day – to water it, to feed it, to invest time and attention in it.

When it is cared for every day, it is able to reach its full potential.

This is what happens with all of you here, at Morayfield State School.

For you to realise your full potential, you must nourish your mind.

Take time to read every day, make the most of your Ricky Reader Home Reading Program, and remember, attendance is one of the pillars of a successful and rewarding education.

You have an ideal environment here in which to grow, and I know your teachers and Principal are proud of the way you live up to your school motto of Aiming High.

We look forward to hearing about the history of Morayfield State School, and about the unique programs offered here, and to see learning in action.

Students, thank you once again for your hospitality today, and for so clearly demonstrating to us: In every day in every way, you do things the Morayfield way.