Public Education Day celebrates the extraordinary impact that our public schools make on individual lives, families and communities. Nowhere was that more apparent than where I spent the day, Heckenberg Public School. I joined their assembly and handed awards to students. I explored the school grounds, met the student leadership team and joined some spirited kindergarten students for a language activity. Heckenberg Public School is also host to an embedded community hub. Those hubs provide invaluable links between families of diverse cultural backgrounds and the broader community, offering vital support in health, education and settlement. I joined a practical English class where local mums developed their knowledge of healthcare terms while improving their social connection with each other. Heckenberg parents give back to others in the community, including by providing martial arts classes at reduced costs. The impact of those hubs extends far beyond statistics, and yet the figures speak volumes. I extend my deepest appreciation to Principal Tracie Carruthers and the dedicated teachers and support staff, who serve as the cornerstone of public education.