­­­­­School Education Minister opens new Performing Arts Centre in Plumpton

Good Shepherd Primary's choir sing the National Anthem with partner school students

Peter Garrett MP (right) with some of the partner school principals during the plaque unveiling Mary Crenaune (second from left)

Minister for School Education and Early Childhood and Youth, The Hon Peter Garrett MP, officially opened the Greater Western Sydney Performing Arts Centre at Plumpton on Friday 30 March.

The $2.2 million centre was built at Plumpton High School as part of the Australian Government’s Local Schools Working Together pilot program, which encourages schools in the same community to share facilities and resources. Students from Good Shepherd Primary School, Plumpton Public School, Plumpton House School, William Dean Public School, Glendenning Public School, and the Australian Islamic College of Sydney will have access to the centre. 

The opening ceremony was a joint celebration between the Plumpton partner schools who collaborated in the coordination of the event which was attended by principals and student representatives from each of the schools, as well as Catholic Education’s executive director of schools, Greg Whitby; Federal Member for Chifley, Ed Husic MP; project director for the Department of Education and Communities, Stephen McLoynes, and representatives from Rooty RSL, ACH Clifford Constructions, De Angelis Taylor & Associates Architects.

The ceremony included a welcome to country by Aboriginal elder, Uncle Greg followed by a performance from Aboriginal dance group, the Freeman Dancers, and performances from the partner schools.

Good Shepherd Primary’s school choir sang with the combined Plumpton partner schools choir as well as singing ‘Light of the World’ in their own performance. Students also performed a choral performance dance piece.

In his address to students, Minister Garrett spoke of his own performing experience and said that the Greater Western Performing Arts Centre will provide many opportunities for students.

‘If you want to reach your dreams, you need support and opportunities to be the best you can,’ said Minister Garrett. ‘One thing I learnt as a performer is that is doesn’t matter the venue, or the size of the crowd always try your best.’

‘This new centre will offer much-needed space for large school events, theatre performances and music practices for thousands of local primary and secondary school students,’ he said.

Principal of Good Shepherd Primary, Mary Creenaune, said the new centre would provide many opportunities for the schools to collaborate.

‘This is a wonderful facility for Good Shepherd and for the other partner schools,’ said Mary. ‘Not only is the centre a quality venue to be used by each school for a range of purposes, but it is also a facility in which we as schools can work together to develop the talents of our students.’

‘We have plans to work together to celebrate the range of skills and talents across each of our schools and to celebrate what unites us - a passion to develop the confidence and talents of the students in our care,’ she said.

Executive director of schools, Greg Whitby, said the opening ceremony was inspiring.

‘The energy of the students and the spirit of the ceremony was moving,’ said Greg.  ‘It was great to see the students and teachers from different sectors, cultural and religious backgrounds coming together to present a united, creative and inspirational event.’

Greg Whitby and Peter Garrett MP

Good Shepherd students perform a choral dance piece for the opening of the performing arts centre

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