The St George & Sutherland Shire Leader has written an article about our school. We’ve reproduced the article below:
Students ride wave of Kevin Rudd’s passion for Mandarin
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd may have started something with his ability to speak Mandarin fluently.
The Sutherland Shire Chinese Community Language School has been fielding an increasing number of inquiries since the Prime Minister’s impressive linguistic skills became known.
Founded 26 years ago, the school conducts seven classes in Port Hacking High School each Saturday for about 80 students aged five to 17.
As its charter is solely the education of children, inquiries about adult classes are referred to TAFE and other colleges.
Vice president Philip Lo said Mr Rudd’s proficiency with the language had undoubtedly spurred public interest.
“But, probably the bigger reason is that China is now Australia’s number one trading partner and its significance in Australian life will be more important in the years to come,” he said.
Mr Lo said while the majority of students were Chinese-Australian, there was a growing proportion from other ethnic backgrounds, including Anglo, European, Malaysian and Singaporean.
“That presents some challenges to the school because it means we have students of varying standards,” he said.
“Some students do not have support at home. However, we see ourselves as an extension of the Department of Education and Training system, so we welcome everyone.”
For the past 10 years Mr Lo has served on the executive committee, made up of parents of enrolled students, which administers the school.
“I can imagine how it might have been for those who started it 26 years ago,” he said.
“The shire at that time would have been a lot whiter, and there was no government assistance for the first two decades.”
Mr Lo said students now paid $240 a year each and the Government contributed $60 per head. The school also recently benefited from a State Government grant of $3420, announced by Miranda MP Barry Collier.
“Language links individuals, families and businesses across the generations, across the shire and across the globe,” Mr Collier said.
Source: Trembath, M. (26 Aug 2009). “Students ride wave of Kevin Rudd’s passion for Mandarin”, The Leader. Extracted from http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/students-ride-wave-of-kevin-rudds-passion-for-mandarin/1605519.aspx on 26th August 2009.