Teachers praise academic success

The president of the Ettalong-Woy Woy Teachers' Association, Mr Rob Landow, has praised the achievements of local schools in academic pursuits, the arts and sport.

He did this in a statement issued to coincide with Public Education Day on May 20.

Mr Landow said all local primary schools had shown significant improvements in the Year 3 and Year 5 basic skills tests in reading, writing and mathematics.

He said that distinction awards in Australasian, English, science and computer competitions demonstrated the depth of talent.

Woy Woy South student Aurora Steele finished in the top five per cent in an English competition run throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Jake Linnenbank won a prize in the Spike Milligan Festival Poetry Competition, he said.

Ettalong Public School won an Award for Excellence in a national poetry competition.

"A large number of the entrants have been offered the opportunity to have their work published, said Mr Landow.

He said Brisbane Waters Secondary College had developed a program for talented primary school pupils.

The college's elite students worked with the primary students to extend their talents within all key learning areas, he said.

In the arts, Woy Woy will be having "Let's Celebrate" theme and their talented dancing group was "ready to energise the parents", he said.

Local schools were prominently featured in the Central Coast Combined Schools Choral Festival and the Brisbane Waters Performing Arts Festival.

The secondary college send its dancers to instruct primary students in the performing arts.

"Many talented sport speople have had their beginnings in our State schools," said Mr Landow.

"Graham Eadie in Rugby League, Raymond Hall in AFL and Brooke McInnes in basketball are just a few.

"Many regional representatives in all sports have come from the Peninsula."

Mr Landow paid tributed to the work of Parents and Citizens committees and the work they do for schools.

"Some activities include direct funding for students who gain representation, thousands of dollars in library grants, supplying prizes for school challenges, canteen work and funding major school maintenance.

Press release, May 26 Rob Landow, Ettalong-Woy Woy Teachers' Association