Chris Hayes (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I rise to talk about PAL school, the first Buddhist high school in the country. I am honoured to have visited this school, which has been established in Canley Vale in my electorate of Fowler. During my visit I learnt that the academic and life skills of this school education follow the teachings of Buddha, emphasising compassion, philosophy and kindness. The school encourages a positive outlook based on peace, harmony and continual learning.

I am also aware of the students' high degree of involvement in charitable works and volunteer work throughout our community. Innovatively, this school has also tried to create a paperless school environment, saving natural resources and engaging with students to adopt quicker new technologies to access the most up-to-date information available to them.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the principal, Panha Pal, his the board of directors, Helen Lam, Huy Vu, Son Long Ha and Renata Ratzer. I would also like to thank the teachers of the school, who do invaluable work, and the various volunteers particularly those in the P&C, people such as Phuong Dao, Sophie Hong, Muoi Huynh, Nghia Ho and Thao Kieu. Only last weekend the school opened a temple on the school grounds, which will be available for all the community during weekends. I look forward to working very closely with the PAL Buddhist School over years to come.