Tim Fairfax congratulating QUT Faculty of Education 2012 alumni, Margaret James on her keynote address at QUT faulty of education graduation

During this speech Margaret spoke compellingly about the importance of  creativity, courage to be different, finding your passion and following it in the teaching profession and life more broadly. She spoke  about the importance of mother tongue education and described her journey developing the Honey Ant Readers as one that was a conglomerate of her many life experiences founded in a underlying belief in equality for all.

Margaret shared the inspirational story of Rosie whom she met in May this year and was told she couldn’t read. She said,

“She had great fun beating me at ‘Memory’ as she learnt the words in  Honey Ant Readers Book 1 through card games.

We then progressed onto the actual book 1, ‘Nana dig’;  book 2 ..  more card games.. she wanted to read book 3, book 4: 

 “I think we should take a break now, Rosie.” I said.

But no, she didn’t want to stop.  

After book 5 she put the book down and looked at me, saying:  

“This very funny Margaret James ‘cause I can’t read.”

“Yes you can Rosie, you’ve just read to me.”

 “I can’t read any of them books.  (Pointing across the room) But I am reading these books.”

The teacher and her assistants were very excited.

Rosie went on to read book 6 before I flew off the island again.

I received a message from her via her teacher a month later:

 “I’m like genius with them books.”

On my return in July, I was met at the classroom door by an exuberant Rosie….

“Margaret James, I read ALL your books. .”

Me, the doubter, asked:

 “Which was your favourite, Rosie?”

“Big man grab sister.” She quickly replied.

“ Mm Book 14” I thought, “unlikely.”

 “Tell me about it Rosie. “

She told me whole story in detail, but what amazed me was that she included all the underlying layers not in the book itself. She’s a coastal child connecting with the deeper meaning of a desert story.

 Thinking I would impress her, I said:  “Rosie look, I have the books in School English for you now.”  Standard English.

Rosie read Book 12 and threw it on the table in disgust:

“I don’t like this Margaret James, I like that other language!””

 Rosie’s story is a message to us all, that great things are possible in all students!