“Public schools do not handpick their students. They take everyone, and help each child reach their potential.”

At the Ignite event on 5 September at the Berry School of Arts, every speaker gave us something to think about. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing highlights from each presentation. You can find the presentations as they are published here.

Holly stood up with pride as both a graduate of public schools and a teacher at Bomaderry High School. She asked us to reflect on the role that public education has played in our own lives. Almost every hand in the room went up.

Her message was clear. Public schools do not handpick their students. They take everyone, and they help each child reach their potential. They educate the majority of Australian children, including those who need the most support, and still deliver results that match or surpass their private school peers.

Holly reminded us that public school graduates are everywhere. They are running businesses, shaping policy, leading industries, and contributing to communities. Public education gives them the foundation to succeed through quality teaching, a culture of inclusion, and opportunities that reflect the real world.

She also pointed to the research. Public school students perform as well or better at school, university, and in the workforce. They gain character, resilience, adaptability, and problem solving skills in diverse environments that mirror the society they will live and work in.

Holly did not ignore the challenges. Public schools operate with fewer resources than many private schools. Yet they continue to innovate, offer vocational pathways, and partner with local businesses to give students real world experience. She called on all of us to be advocates, to support fair funding, and to celebrate the success stories that come from public education.

Her final message was simple. If you believe in fairness, opportunity, and excellence for every child, then choose public education.

“If you believe in fairness, opportunity, and excellence for every child, then choose public education.”

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