House debates

Monday, 12 February 2018

Statements by Members

Chifley Electorate: Australian Islamic College of Sydney

4:25 pm

Photo of Ed HusicEd Husic (Chifley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy) Share this | | Hansard source

I rise to congratulate a fantastic school in my electorate on reaching 20 years of operation. Last November, the Australian Islamic College of Sydney celebrated this milestone with a terrific commemorative function at the Mount Druitt campus. Established in 1997, enrolments have grown from just 30 to over 1,100 students, supported by 100 staff members. It's a state-of-the-art educational institution. It has had many successful achievements along the way. Year after year it has produced outstanding HSC results, and, more recently, it escalated into the top 40 per cent of schools in New South Wales for HSC results. NAPLAN results have also shown great accomplishment, with the college's ranking remaining above the state mean.

I love visiting the school. I'm a big fan of the students. They are a terrific reflection on our area and it's always great to attend their presentation assemblies. Of course, it takes a whole school community to get the college this far. Big congrats to everyone involved with the school management, led by principal Dr Imam Ali, the school board and the school council; all the committed teachers, dedicated parents and members of the parents and carers association; and all the hardworking students, past and present, who've been instrumental in the college's success. Congratulations on your milestone and I wish you many more prosperous years.