A product of the public education system himself, Mr Clare said that Education Week (July 31 to August 4) was a time to celebrate all the outstanding teachers and educators – as well the achievements of our schools, teachers and students.
“Thank you for all that you do for children in our wonderful community,” he said.
Earlier this month he told the National Press Club that the first thing he did when he got this job, a bit over a year ago, was go back to his old primary school and “give my teacher Mrs (Cathy) Fry a hug”.
“Cathy started there, at Cabramatta Public School, in 1978. And she is still there,” he said.
“I did that for a reason. It felt like the right place to start.
“But I also wanted to send a message.
“A message about what I think is important. About who I think are important. About the sort of Minister I want to be. I will never forget where I come from.”
Mr Clare said we have a good education system in Australia, “but it can be a lot better and a lot fairer”.
“Everything I am doing as Education Minister is about building an education system that doesn’t hold anyone back and doesn’t leave anyone behind.
“After all, that’s what public education is all about.”
