28 Mar 2014
The highlight of the year so far was the visit to our school, the school that provides ‘The Best of All Worlds', last Wednesday by Tim Bailey, the Network 10 weather reporter, and his film and sound crew. Knowing that more than 500,000 viewers would be watching the broadcast we wanted to show that the Auburn North Public School Learning Community was:
- a high-performing collaborative school.
- something special, something wonderful, something exceptional.
- a model for what education and schools can become.
We also wanted the television viewers to appreciate why Auburn North was awarded the:
- 2012 Minister for Education's ‘Cohesive Community School Award' (from 4000 schools)
- 2010 and 2011 Minister for Education's ‘Cohesive Community School Award'(Highly Commended)
- 2013 South Western Sydney Region's ‘Increased Parental Engagement in Supporting their Child's Learning Award' (from more than 230 schools)
Judging by the messages and comments we have received from Tim Bailey and from many other people from across NSW, we believe we achieved what we had intended to achieve.
Tim Bailey was totally overwhelmed by our unique learning community and told me between weather reports:
- "This is the most special school and best school I've visited in the 18 months since the ‘Ten at Schools Program' began."
- "I can see by the way your teachers talk to the students that your teachers have developed very special relationships with their students."
- "I cannot believe how many parents are here. Fantastic!"
- "Look at the community. Look at the Mums and Dads."
During his three live broadcasts to 500, 000 television viewers throughout NSW, Tim made comments such as:
- "Look at the faces we are discovering today. Have a look at the raw enjoyment and look at the world in one playground."
- "This is a school that makes me enormously proud to be a part of this ‘Ten at Schools Program'."
- "It is singing in harmony and is one of the most multicultural countries in the WORLD."
- "You get a sense of how harmonious Auburn North is."
- "The school has brilliantly well-behaved students."
- "You'll see raw excitement like you've never seen before."
- "I have left my heart at Auburn North Public School. What a cracker!"
During my brief time in front of the camera, I was able to explain to Tim and the viewers that:
"ANPS is ‘The Best of All Worlds', which means that children from all around the world come to this school to learn life's most important lesson. And that important lesson is regardless of a child's background, colour or religion, we are all the same. And that's an essential lesson to learn."
I also explained to Tim and the 500, 000 viewers that from my experience as a teacher and Principal that includes teaching in 5 countries, our:
- "… boys and girls are the best-behaved, most appreciative, hard-working students I've ever met."
- "… parents are the most supportive, delightful parents I've ever met."
Tim had to present his final report just as I was about to say:
"Our leaders, our teachers, and our entire staff are the most professional, dynamic, and committed team I've ever seen assembled in one school."
Following the broadcast, Tim Bailey and our school received a large number of congratulatory messages. Some are reproduced below:
Tweets to Tim Bailey
- "What fantastic TV. A true hit to the heart."
- "The BEST weather report I have ever watched. What an amazing school Auburn North is."
- What a great find! Auburn North Public School: the best representation of diversity and harmony!"
- "You could learn something valuable about refugees and multiculturalism from Auburn North."
- "Seriously, it was a great TV segment. What a top school!"
- "Wow! Special kids, special community. Thanks for sharing."
- "Good job Tim, highlighting the real Australia. Lovely stuff."
- "You have done something magical tonight, Tim. What a beautiful school and lesson for all of us. Nearly cried seeing the kids."
A Viewer from Canberra
"Hi Auburn North!
I am a resident of Canberra, A.C.T., and felt compelled to tell you people how impressed I was with your school with regards to multicultural harmony as displayed by your students, parents and teachers.
Thank goodness for little children – they certainly can teach adults how to ‘get on' with one another! They don't discriminate when it comes to race, religion, political persuasions or footy teams you support. Bless them all.
I was most impressed – best wishes to you all for doing your bit in making this great country a more tolerant place!"
Yours sincerely,
James Fife
Principal
"Hi Mark,
I just wanted to say how wonderful your great school was on Channel 10 last night. I know you're very proud of the school and you have every right to be proud. A wonderful, wonderful representation of Public Education. Congratulations and very well deserved!!!"
Regards,
John Selby
Principal - Auburn West Public School
Former Auburn North Teacher
"Dear Mark,
I have to write to you after seeing the beautiful Auburn North on TEN News last night. I'm so proud to have been part of this great school, and learnt so much in my years at ANPS. You were absolutely correct when you said that the students at Auburn North are the best behaved, most appreciative group of children. The parents are also the most wonderful group of parents I have worked with."
Mrs Christine Archer
School Director
"Hi Mark,
I had goose bumps watching this segment. What came to mind watching this colourful vision was harmony, commitment, pride, hope, success and belief in every member of the community."
Ms Maria Serafin
Director, Public Schools NSW
Glenfield Network
Former Auburn North Teacher
"Hi Auburn North,
I just wanted to touch base to say how proud I was to see Auburn North on Channel 10 last night. I was so impressed to see how well-behaved all of the students were (but that was no surprise) and how many parents came. The COLA looked amazing with all of the posters and flags. I have to admit there were lots of squeals and pointing at the television when I saw all of those familiar faces. I am so proud of Auburn North!"
Kindest regards,
Ms Kellie Smith
Our P. and C. President
"Dear Mark,
I write to extend my hearty congratulations to you and your staff! I must agree with Tim Bailey. Auburn North is a ‘gem' and the school community certainly does sing ‘in harmony'. I have watched the ‘Ten at School' segment many times and I must say I have never seen so many children, parents and especially staff stay back for three hours to share in the school spirit. Everyone looked excited and obviously it was a truly wonderful afternoon. As expected, Tim Bailey was in awe of our ‘brilliantly well-behaved boys and girls' and I must say it came as no surprise to me that he claims to ‘leave (his) heart at ANPS'.
Once again, my heart was swollen with pride as I watched over and over again Auburn North starring on the news. To Halima, Hamza and Hanya, I am very proud of you for the impressive way you spoke. You were perfect representatives of our school.
To all the staff at ANPS, thank you for providing our children with yet another memory that will bring a smile to their faces for years to come."
Zenna Diab
P & C President
I think it's very clear that more than 500,000 adults and children in NSW now understand that our excellent school is:
- a cohesive, harmonious school.
- THE United Nations.
I would like to thank the more than 300 parents who came to their school last Wednesday afternoon to participate in this exciting community event. I would like to thank our 55 staff members, all of whom stayed back at school to be a part of this exciting broadcast. I would also like to thank and congratulate each of our students on being PERFECT representatives for Auburn North. They were a credit to themselves, to their teachers, and to their families.
On behalf of our community, I would like to thank Mrs Diab and Mrs Zreika for coordinating the BBQ for nearly 1000 students, parents, and staff members. Finally, I would like to congratulate Mrs Irrgang, Mrs Quigley, and their team for coordinating this experience that will be remembered ALWAYS by:
- our students
- our staff
- our parents
- 500,000 NSW viewers
- Tim Bailey