Official Visit to Blackwater North State School

Mayor, Principal, teachers, staff and students of Blackwater North State School.

Thank you Zennan, for your Acknowledgement of Country and well done to everyone for your singing of our National Anthem.

I too acknowledge the traditional owners of these lands, and extend respectful greetings to Elders and emerging leaders.

It is wonderful to be with you all this morning.

Learning about the people and places of our State is one of the great privileges of being Governor of Queensland – and school visits like here today in Blackwater, are one of the most enjoyable aspects of my role.

In preparing for this visit I was heartened to discover your School motto of “Friendship and Learning”.

Indeed, remembering back to my time as a schoolboy – many years ago now! – these are some of the most important aspects of both your education and your time here as young individuals.

Mathematics, science, English comprehension and reading – these are very important things you learn at school. But school is also an important time to learn about yourself, from your friends around you. Your time at school will have both ups and downs, and I want to emphasise how important it is to support one another, every day… ‘Friendship and Learning’, as your motto explains.

Shortly, I understand the Prep – Year 2 students will be heading off for their athletics carnival and I will be going to the Makerspace for a lesson in robotics with the Year 5 and Year 6 students. It is a busy day at Blackwater North State School!

To the students participating in athletics, I wish you the best of luck.

To the students involved in the robotics demonstration, I look forward to seeing what you have come up with! STEM or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, is an exciting area of study. Perhaps your activities here today at your school will be the start of a lifelong learning journey!

And for the little athletes, perhaps this will be the start of a journey to an Olympics! Maybe even one on “home soil” here in Queensland?

To all students and teachers here today, I encourage you to be true to your school motto, to look out for others, and in this way, help to keep your community strong.

Thank you.