Category Archives: Education

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has announced an investment of close to $800,000 to go towards a stand-alone preschool at Cowra’s Yalbillinga Boori Day Care Centre.

Ms Cooke said she was delighted to announce the funding totalling $797,000 under the Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program, which will create an additional 15 places for pre-schoolers in Cowra.

“It’s well known just how important the first five years of life are, and how vital it is we engage young people in learning right from the start, and I’d like to congratulate Centre Manager Caroline Bamblett and her team, for this great outcome,” Ms Cooke said.

“As the wonderful team at the centre will tell you, there’s always a waiting list, so today’s news means they can accommodate more children, which will provide great opportunities for local families.

“This investment in the Yalbillinga Boori Day Care Centre is an investment in Cowra’s future, and a signal to families here and beyond, that this is a great place to raise children.

“We must do everything we can to ensure our youngest learners have access to the best possible start when it comes to their education, so securing investments for our preschool-aged children has been a top priority for me personally over the years,” she said.

Ms Cooke said she has secured more than $8.5 million in preschool funding for the Cootamundra electorate since being elected in 2017.

“It’s all about providing parents and families with more places in areas of high need, and the new preschool will help ensure more families have the chance to utilise these opportunities here in Cowra,” Ms Cooke said.

Ms Cooke said today’s announcement follows news that the Cowra Early Childhood Services (CECS) has been awarded $3.7 million in government funding to build a new 60-place community pre-school, also thanks to the Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program.

“As the local member, ensuring we have access to these services is just so vital. It goes far beyond bricks and mortar; funding like this will literally change the lives of families and improve outcomes for our young ones, for generations to come,” Ms Cooke said. 

Photograph caption: Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke talking with Yalbillinga Boori Day Care Centre manager Caroline Bamblett about the exciting plans for the centre following the recent funding announcement.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke visited staff and students at St Mary’s War Memorial School in West Wyalong to see first-hand the recent upgrades undertaken at the school.

Speaking at an assembly held to officially open the new school building, Ms Cooke praised the work that has been done by all those involved in bringing the project to life.

“I’d like to thank the entire school community for their warm welcome; the students are a credit to the local community, and I know that the future of West Wyalong is in safe hands with such a vibrant and inspiring group of young people,” Ms Cooke said.

Ms Cooke said the upgrades were made possible thanks to a $890,000 grant allocated under the previous Coalition Government as part of the Building Grants Assistance Scheme.

“St Mary’s War Memorial School is a wonderful place for children to learn and grow, and it’s so heartening to see the improvements they’ve been able to make thanks to this grant,” Ms Cooke said.

Ms Cooke explained the government funding went towards the school’s $1.2 million upgrade project, that included the brand-new building which houses classrooms, various learning resources, and staff facilities.

“It’s important that students and teachers in regional areas like West Wyalong, have access to high quality educational facilities,” Ms Cooke said.

“Funding like this helps schools improve the learning environments for their students, giving schools contemporary facilities that reflect modern learning needs.

“We want all students to get the best education we can provide them, which is why the previous Coalition Government supported projects like this.

“I remain committed to ensuring the schools across our Cootamundra electorate get the funding they deserve in order to create learning environments that provide the best possible start in life for the younger members of our community,” she said.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has announced the Cowra Early Childhood Services (CECS) has been awarded $3.7 million in State Government funding to build a new 60-place community pre-school.

Ms Cooke said the funding has been secured thanks to the Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program, and together with input from CECS, will see an investment of $4 million towards building the new preschool.

“It has been a long road to get to this point, so I’m just so thrilled that all our hard work in advocating for this vital project has finally paid off, and that families in Cowra will soon have access to more preschool places in this community,” Ms Cooke said.

“I’d like to congratulate CECS General Manager Libby Ewing-Jarvie and the entire team, who do such an amazing job each and every day.

“Investments in our preschools are quite literally an investment in our future; we must do everything we can to ensure our youngest learners have access to the best possible start when it comes to their education.

“Securing investments for our preschool-aged children has been a top priority for me personally – and indeed for the Coalition more broadly – over the years, having secured over $4 million in preschool funding for our Cootamundra electorate since I was elected in 2017,” she said.

Ms Cooke said the new facility will create additional preschool places, which will then also open up places at CECS for families looking for long day-care.

“It’s all about providing parents and families with more places in an area of high need, and the new preschool will help ensure families have the chance to utilise both preschool and day-care opportunities here in Cowra,” Ms Cooke said.

Ms Cooke said today’s announcement follows news that Boorowa has been chosen as the site of a new public preschool, one of just 49 locations in regional New South Wales.

“As the local member, ensuring we have access to these services is just so vital. It goes far beyond bricks and mortar; funding like this will literally change the lives of families and improve outcomes for our young ones, for generations to come,” Ms Cooke said. 

Boorowa is among 49 communities to be included on a list of regional areas chosen as locations for new public preschools, following a strong and ongoing advocacy campaign for the towns and villages across the electorate by the Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke.

Ms Cooke said she was grateful Boorowa was selected, after the NSW Labor Government reduced the number of new preschools the previous Coalition Government had originally planned for the state.

“Preschools are such an important first step in a child’s journey into education, and I’m so excited that these opportunities will be expanded in Boorowa with the newly announced public preschool at the Central School, which of course, will complement the wonderful services currently provided by the Boorowa Early Education Centre,” Ms Cooke said.

“It’s all about providing parents and families with more places in an area of high need, and the new preschool will help ensure all families have the chance to utilise preschool opportunities here in Boorowa,” she said.

Ms Cooke said enrolments at the Central School have grown by 37 per cent in the last four years – an increase she said, mirrors the growing demand for additional preschool services in the town.

“The town is expanding all the time, and when you consider the intake from surrounding villages such as Reids Flat, Rugby, and Rye Park, waiting lists for the highly sought-after Boorowa Early Education Centre are getting longer,” Ms Cooke said.

“So we clearly need more providers in Boorowa, and the new preschool will take the burden off the BEE, by extending the services they provide; essentially, it’s all about equity of access, and making sure all the families who want it, have the ability to send their children to preschool for the 12 months leading-up to kindy,” she said.

Ms Cooke said the Government has committed to delivering the new public preschools over the next three years, and she will be monitoring progress on the new preschool at Boorowa Central School closely, to ensure it is delivered in the promised timeframe.

“Securing investments for our preschool-aged children has been a top priority for me personally – and indeed for the Coalition more broadly – over the years, having secured over $4 million in preschool funding for our Cootamundra electorate since I was elected in 2017,” Ms Cooke said.

“While it’s true that the previous Coalition Government had planned a much larger preschool rollout, I’m relieved and grateful that our community has not been left out, and I can assure residents right across the electorate, that I will continue lobbying the Government to secure similar investments in early learning like we’ve been able to achieve today here in Boorowa.

“Investments in our preschools are quite literally an investment in our future; we must do everything we can to ensure our youngest learners have access to the best possible start when it comes to their education.

“As the local member, ensuring we have access to these services is just so vital. It goes far beyond bricks and mortar; funding like this will literally change the lives of families and improve outcomes for students for generations to come,” she said. 

Photograph caption: Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke discussing plans for the newly announced public preschool at Boorowa Central School, with principal Graham Jones.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has congratulated students, parents, and teachers on completing the 2023 school year, and has praised the achievements of all schools – large and small – across the electorate.

“I’ve had the great honour and privilege in recent weeks of attending many school presentations right across our electorate, and I have just been so impressed by what students have achieved; we have a lot to be proud of,” Ms Cooke said.

“Our students really have had an amazing year, and I’ve enjoyed hearing all about the academic and sporting achievements, as well as watching students perform across music and the arts; we really punch well above our weight, particularly given that many of our schools are small schools,” she said.

Ms Cooke praised the work of teachers, school staff, parents, and volunteers in ensuring students are well supported and able to thrive.

“Our teachers are so passionate about their classes and their students, and the results speak for themselves in the classroom, so congratulations and thank you for the work you do supporting the younger members of our community,” Ms Cooke said.

“The P&Cs too do a wonderful job throughout the year, hosting activities and fundraisers that help provide students with those extra opportunities that enrich their school lives,” she said.

Ms Cooke said while she does her best to visit as many schools as possible, it does take time to get around them all.

“There are 82 schools in the Cootamundra electorate, and I visit on average about 20 schools a year – and this year’s no different – so it takes me four years to get around them all. So if I haven’t quite got to your school lately, I promise you it’s on the list; it just takes me a little while to get to each and every one of them in-person,” Ms Cooke said.

“To all the school communities – large and small – well done on another successful year, have an enjoyable break, and good luck for 2024; I can’t wait to see what you all do next,” she said.

Photograph caption: Steph Cooke with award winners from Junee North Public School following their end of year presentation.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has praised the imagination, creativity, and talent displayed by the local school students who took part in the Happy Little Vegemite Art Competition.

Ms Cooke said there was an overwhelming response to the competition celebrating Vegemite’s 100^th birthday, with entries submitted from schools right across the electorate.

“We had hundreds of wonderful artworks created by local students of all ages, from Kindergarten right through to Year Six,” Ms Cooke said.

“I was just so impressed by the talent on display; the competition well and truly exceeded expectations, so much so, that it was too difficult to narrow the entries down to only two winners. Instead, a winner has been chosen from each year group,” she said.

After careful consideration of the many impressive entries, Ms Cooke said she’s delighted to announce the following winners, with their artworks now on display in the Young Electorate Office for the community to enjoy:

• Kindergarten: Audrey Emmett-Daley – Quandialla Public School

• Year 1: Charlotte Dicker – Barellan Central School

• Year 2: Liam Surilla – Young Public School

• Year 3: Eva Power – Ardlethan Central School

• Year 4: Billy Petit – St Mary’s War Memorial School West Wyalong

• Year 5: Taite Johnson – St Patrick’s Primary School Gundagai

• Year 6: Gracie Elphick – Jugiong Public School

“Congratulations to the winners and to all those who entered; I’m truly impressed, and I commend all participants for their exceptional artistic talents,” Ms Cooke said.

Image: Steph Cooke with Year 2 prize winner Liam Surilla at Young Public School.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke was in Temora last week with Shadow Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Justin Clancy, to meet with small businesses, and hear first-hand the benefits for both employees and employers, of vocational education and training.

“National Skills Week has just wrapped up for another year, so it was a good opportunity for the shadow minister and I to talk with some of the small business owners in town, and learn more about how they’re harnessing the very real advantages that come with employing young people who have developed their skills and knowledge through vocational education,” Ms Cooke said.

“Not everyone is destined for university, and we’ve seen in Temora great examples of how vocational education is a very real pathway to career success.

“Vocational education allows students to think outside the box and apply their talents in areas they may not have otherwise thought about; for example, someone who has a passion for gaming might now consider a career in agriculture, given how high-tech that industry is becoming; it’s not just about ploughing paddocks anymore, it’s also become very technologically focused.

“And on the flip side, we’ve seen too how small businesses are reaping the benefits of vocational education. Given my small business background, I know all too well the value of this sort of hands-on skills training, and how it provides prospective employees with the ability to hit the ground running when they take that step into the workforce.

“The shadow minister and I have been so impressed by the innovation and manufacturing that is going on right here in our backyard, and it’s exciting to think that there are opportunities for students – through vocational education and training – to get in at the ground level, and work their way up in businesses that are operating locally and beyond,” she said.

A Wiradjuri native garden and turf playing field at West Wyalong Public School, and new playground equipment and sand soft fall at Wyalong Public School, have been completed.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke was pleased to visit each school community recently to view the projects funded in the fourth round of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.

“I am delighted that with the support of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, both West Wyalong and Wyalong Public Schools have benefitted from a real boost to their outdoor facilities,” Ms Cooke said.

“We know children thrive in the outdoors, and so I congratulate both the West Wyalong and Wyalong P&Cs for their vision in enhancing the outdoor learning environment available to students.”

Ms Cooke said West Wyalong Public School P&C secured over $127,000 for their garden project which highlights the rich Indigenous history of the area, as well as new turf in the grounds allowing students to enjoy this long-awaited improvement to their school.

Wyalong Public School P&C secured over $82,000 for the installation of new playground equipment, which replaced equipment which was over 20 years old.

“It is exciting for current and future students to have both of these projects delivered, and it is great to see the new equipment put to the test in person.”

Since 2017, a total of over $5.1 million has been secured for projects in Bland Shire through the former NSW Coalition Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Five projects across schools in the electorate will see more students with a green thumb thanks to the NSW Government’s $10 million Sustainable Schools Grants.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this investment by the NSW Government will deliver hands-on, sustainable-focused projects that link to the NSW Curriculum.

“I am thrilled that we have seen two schools being Naradhan Public School and Henry Lawson High School under round three and a further three schools, being Cootamundra Public School, Woodstock Public School and Wyalong Public School under round four in the electorate taking part in this great initiative,” Ms Cooke said.

“Our region is passionate about sustainability and this program inspires and empowers students and schools to develop ideas and implement plans that will benefit the environment by helping to save energy or water, reduce waste, or improve biodiversity.”

“I know the whole community joins me in looking forward to seeing these wonderful projects soon come to life at our local schools.”

Round 3 Schools and projects include:

• Naradhan Public School will receive $15,000 for a sensory, native indigenous garden.

• Henry Lawson High School in Grenfell will receive $15,000 to create its own community produce garden.

Round 4 Schools and projects include:

• Cootamundra Public School will receive $15,000 to establish ‘Waste Busters’ project, to minimise waste and educate students on waste management.

• Woodstock Public School will receive $14,912 to construct Woodstock’s Wholesome Community Food Garden

• Wyalong Public School will receive $15,000 for an inclusive and sustainable Kitchen Garden

Henry Lawson High School Principal, Mr Aaron Flagg said the main objective of this initiative is to create a garden that is open to the public.

“The garden encourages students and the local school community to explore ideas and solutions around sustainable food production, green waste management and reducing food miles by producing locally for school and community use,” Mr Flagg said.

“Initially, the garden will be planned and constructed by our year 7 STEM class as well as other school and community groups to encourage ownership of the garden and to foster long-term participation in food production and management within the community.”

Naradhan Public School Relieving Teaching Principal, Ms Tracy Johnston said Native plants will be used with the aim of teaching our children about bush tucker, and the other uses for plants by our indigenous ancestors

“The garden will be located at the entrance to the school, providing students, staff and visitors with a sensory experience as they walk through the project to the school buildings,” Ms Johnston said.

“We look forward to our students being able to access the garden in the near future.”

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.

Communities across the region will benefit from a program that attracts healthcare workers to rural and regional NSW and supports those already providing excellent healthcare in the bush to increase their skills.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said local healthcare workers wanting to further their careers are encouraged to apply for assistance under the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $5 million Rural and Regional Health Career Scholarships Program.

“This is a terrific program which offers nine different scholarships that will support more than 1,100 health workers over the next four years,” Ms Cooke said.

“These scholarships are flexible to the needs of individuals and are available across a range of health professions including allied health, nursing and midwifery, medical and Aboriginal allied health.

“We want our local health workforce to feel supported and provide them with the opportunity to upskill or retrain while staying connected to our community.”

Applications are now open for Nursing and Midwifery, Allied Health and Medical scholarships.

A scholarship to support Aboriginal Allied Health workers in rural areas closed recently after receiving an overwhelming response. 

The program is also targeting new workers, with scholarships that can be used to cover the cost of travel and accommodation, childcare, technology and training fees – aimed at making it easier for students to choose to move away from the city.

NSW Health is recruiting regionally based scholarship advisors who will support applicants with career advice and help them choose the scholarships that meet their individual needs.

The Rural and Regional Health Scholarships form part of Our Vision for Regional Communities and Action Plan 2023-2025, a NSW Liberal and National Government initiative outlining immediate priorities and long-term strategies to make regional NSW an even better place to call home.

The scholarships build on the $883 million regional health workforce incentive scheme, announced as part of the 2022-23 NSW Budget.

To apply, visit the Health Education and Training Institute https://www.heti.nsw.gov.au/Placements-Scholarships-Grants/scholarships-and-grants/diploma-of-nursing-rural-travel-scholarship-incentive