PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE VISITS BEACONSFIELD

The Victorian Parliament's Education and Training Committee visited St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield last week as part of the committee's current enquiry into the effects of television and multimedia on education in Victoria.

Nationals' Committee Member and spokesman for Education and Training, Peter Hall, said the experience had shed light on the important role multimedia technology plays in Victorian schools today.

"Multimedia technology enters into many aspects of the modern-day education experience as our visit to St Francis Xavier College has shown," said Mr Hall.

"Clearly Victorian schools will need to be progressively equipped with new multimedia technology to ensure Victorian students' learning keeps pace with the evolving importance of this technology in the everyday world."

Committee chair Steve Herbert MP and Mr Hall met with staff and students to discuss the use of multimedia across the school curriculum and in their homes.

The comments submitted by the school committee were recorded by Hansard reporters on the day and will ultimately form part of the official evidence to accompany the inquiry's final report.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Hall said the committee was very impressed with the extent multimedia technologies are incorporated into the curriculum at St Francis Xavier and the students ability to use them.

"St Francis Xavier utilises some leading edge multimedia programs and it is obvious that students are reaping the benefits," said Mr Hall.

"The visit was most informative and has given us an invaluable insight on the very powerful and positive impact multimedia has on the education of young people today," said Mr Hall.

Editor's note: Please feel free to use the attached photograph with the caption: "Nationals Member for Gippsland Province Peter Hall (right) is pictured with Careers Adviser Phil Apperley and Multimedia Teacher Trish Portbury during the visit."

The Committee is expected to hand down its recommendations prior to the next State Election on November 25.

Media contact: Peter Hall (03) 5174 7066 or 0427 747 066