A public education system delivers equal opportunity for all children to develop their abilities to their fullest, regardless of where those children attend school. A strong public education system, free from political interference, is among our greatest safeguards of democracy.

Schools across our local district celebrated Public Education Day going about their core business of ensuring all students, despite their level of advantage or disadvantage, have access to an education of the highest quality. Students participated in The Big Vegie Crunch by simultaneously crunching on a variety of raw vegetables to not only promote a healthy diet but also to break the world record of simultaneous vegie munching!

Many students at Crookwell Primary School attended the district cross country carnival where 12 students were successful in progressing to the regional cross country carnival to be held at Cambewarra later this term.

Infants took the opportunity to refine their skills in music and dance in readiness for the community assembly that was held the next day. The performance at this assembly was a precursor to National Reconciliation Week.

Year 1 students took the opportunity to celebrate not only Public Education Day but also the glorious weather by reading in the sunshine. Their book of choice was ‘The Cow Tripped Over the Moon’; a book read this year for National Simultaneous Storytime.

Kindergarten learned about public education and the role played by principals by joining in a discussion with relieving principal, Michael Whittington.

Many teachers chose to celebrate with a special morning tea, reflecting on the virtues of a strong system of public education and the role it plays in ensuring a tolerant and just society.