Parra News April 9 2024

LOCAL NEWS
Teacher trio eager to
make a big difference
ELLIE BUSBY
Introducing the next generation
of teachers: Three young women
who went to school in the local
area are determined to change lives
as they begin their teaching careers
in western Sydney.
For aspiring teachers Natasha Le,
Flora Du and Ashley Wong, starting
their prac teaching at Merrylands
East Public School is all about “helping
children become the best version
of themselves”.
Having attended local schools
themselves and becoming the first in
their family to study at university, the
young women know first-hand how
much of an impact a good teacher can
have on a student’s life.
“Teachers have played a really big
role in my life, they’ve continuously
helped their students to do the best
they can and they try to be there for
them, and I think that really drove my
passion to go into teaching,” Du said.
“I liked how they helped me become
the person I am today.”
Despite having only just started
her prac teaching, Le said she loves
the “good feeling” that comes with
helping kids in any way she can.
“This is kind of cliché, but I really
want to make a good future for little
kids and just raise a better generation
and help them grow,” she added.
“Seeing little kids grow and understand
and being able to guide them is
a really nice thing to see.”
Wong agrees, saying she’s excited to
become a teacher.
“I just like making a difference in
John Goh said working at Merrylands
East Public gives aspiring teachers
a chance to work with diverse
students.
students’ lives and also providing
them with the knowledge and teaching
them in a way that’s meaningful,”
she said.
“I want the same impact that some
of the teachers have made on me in
the past.”
Welcoming them to the school,
Principal John Goh said prac teaching
at Merrylands East Public School
gives the aspiring teachers a chance
to work with students from diverse
backgrounds – something that’s
hugely important for those looking to
teach in western Sydney.
“It’s a great opportunity for our
pre-service teachers to learn about
the complexities of our students and
working with, in particular, refugee
students in our school and students
whose English is not necessarily their
first language,” he said.
“I’m really in debt to our public
school teachers who take pre-service
teachers or encourage senior students
into the teaching profession.”
The beginning of Le, Du and Wong’s
teaching career comes after the NSW
Teachers Federation agreed to a new
pay deal from the State Government
in September last year, making NSW
teachers one of the best paid in the
country.
Natasha Le, Ashley Wong and Flora Du are excited to pursue a career
in teaching.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION
PARRAMATTA TOWN HALL
Mt you here
Discover more and to book:
parramattatownhall.com.au
Planning Proposal, Draft Planning Agreement and Draft Site-Specific
Development Control Plan for 263–281 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford
(previously known as 263–273 Pennant Hills Road and 18 Shirley Street,
Carlingford)
City of Parramatta Council is exhibiting
amendments to the Parramatta Local
Environmental Plan (LEP) 2023 with a draft
Planning Agreement and a draft Site-Specific
Development Control Plan (DCP) for the site
at 263–281 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford
(previously known as 263–273 Pennant Hills
Road and 18 Shirley Street, Carlingford).
Key aspects of the proposal include:
• The Planning Proposal which seeks to
allow an increase of 197 residential units,
a 600sqm increase in retail floor space
and a new central park by reconfiguring
existing zoning, amending height and
floor space ratio controls and an increase
in permissible retail floor space.
• A Draft Planning Agreement which includes
dedication of a community hub (library
and community centre) and public open
space and also a monetary contribution
which Council plans to allocate toward
the fitout of the community hub.
• A Draft DCP to guide future development
for the site by introducing site-specific
objectives and controls.
The proposal will be publicly exhibited
until Wednesday 24 April 2024 and can be
viewed at:
• Online: participate.cityofparramatta.
nsw.gov.au/263-281-pennant-hills-road
• In person: Council’s Customer Service
Centre, PHIVE, 5 Parramatta Square,
Parramatta
• Council Reception:
126 Church Street, Parramatta
• Carlingford Library:
Lloyds Avenue, Carlingford
Written submissions on the proposal can
be made during the exhibition period. Any
submissions received may be made publicly
available and may include the names(s),
addresses and contact details provided.
All submissions are to be received by 5pm
on Wednesday 24 April 2024.
Submissions can be made via:
• Email:
council@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
Attn: Rafael Morrissey and Carmel O’Connor
(Subject: Planning Proposal ‘RZ/5/2023’)
• Post: Attn: Rafael Morrissey, Senior Project
Officer – Major Projects & Precincts
City of Parramatta Council, PO Box 32
Parramatta NSW 2124
(Subject: Planning Proposal
‘RZ/5/2023’)
• Online: participate.
cityofparramatta.nsw.gov. au/
263-281-pennant-hills-road
or scan the QR code
53433
cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
PN53476
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 « parra news 7