The Member for Macquarie Fields, Anoulack Chanthivong MP, has praised a group of young students from Curran Public School in Macquarie Fields for earning third place at the international finals of the Future Problem Solving Competition in Michigan in the United States over the weekend.

Twelve Year 5 and 6 students from the school gained third place for their innovative care package titled ‘Kids Helping Kids’, designed for preschool children linked to the school. The package provides the necessary resources and tools to support children’s early learning, such as alphabet, number and colour charts, pencils and other items to help children get a head-start to their school years.

“I congratulate all of those involved on this amazing achievement, which has captured the hearts and minds of our local community and beyond,” Mr Chanthivong said.

“This outstanding feat is a measure of the commitment made by the students themselves, the fabulous teaching staff and the school’s principal, Michael Strahan, who always maintained that the students’ postcode would be no barrier to success nor define them,” Mr Chanthivong said.

“The students of Curran Public School are champions of our public education system, where life-long skills and opportunity go hand-in-hand to empower local communities to produce future leaders.

“I’m incredibly proud of these young students and our community looks forward to welcoming home our local heroes from Macquarie Fields in coming days,” Mr Chanthivong said.

Curran Public School is the only NSW public school to win at this level of the Future Problem Solving Program. For many of the students, it was their first international trip. Overwhelming community support from a fundraising ball and donations received through Schools Plus’ new crowdfunding platform helped secure the trip to the United States. Additional funds raised will go toward the ongoing sustainability of the program and the continuation of the kindergarten care packages for future students.