Class Acts: Celebrating public education

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 131 No 4, 26 June 2026, page no.16

National Public Education Day, a time to recognise the central role that state schools, preschools and TAFE institutes play in strengthening the social, economic, and cultural fabric of our society, took place on 28 May.

To mark the occasion, the Australian Education Union launched Class Acts, a documentary series about the power of public education. The launch took place at Parliament House in Canberra, where members, friends, and supporters of public education were joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Federal Education Minister Jason Clare.

This heart-warming series features the personal stories of high-profile Australians, and how public education has shaped their lives.

AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the documentary reveals the less well-known life story of the teacher that made a difference to their lives and culminates in a reunion of the interviewee and the teacher.

“Public Education Day is a day to celebrate Australia’s public education system, the teachers, principals and education support staff that work within the system, and the students that attend state schools, preschools and TAFE,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“It is a day to recommit to properly valuing and supporting public education in every community across Australia.”

“The documentary series Class Acts provides an opportunity to showcase the positive impact of Australia’s public education system and publicly reinforce Australia’s world-class public education system.”

Among the notable Australians featured in the series is business journalist and news anchor Cheng Lei, who spent more than three harrowing years in a Beijing prison after being falsely accused of espionage. 

During her imprisonment, Lei was known by her fellow inmates as “teacher”. In those dark days, she drew on the inspiration of her Year 12 teachers at Indooroopilly State High School in Brisbane, John Brew (English) and Meryl McCulloch (Art).

For Class Acts, Lei returns to Indooroopilly High after 35 years and sees both John and Meryl (pictured left with Lei). 

The series also profiles: Larissa Behrendt AO, Craig Challen, Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Sean Christie David, Holly Rankin (aka Jack River), Jennifer Robinson, Gina Chick, Yalda Hakim, Peter Greste, Justin Heazlewood, Kathy Lette, and Professor Yalmay Yunupinu.

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