From the Principal Team

Open Night

What a wonderful evening we had on Thursday, May 16. The open night saw over 200 current families and many more prospective families passing through the classrooms with children sharing their learning and excitement about our school. 

I know that there were many families who ended up spending a lot longer at school than they had originally planned, getting caught up in trying to fill their passports and see more areas of the school. 

Congratulations to the many students who performed on the night as well, we are always very proud to showcase the talents of the amazing performers we have in our school. 

Thank you to everyone for your attendance, enthusiasm and community spirit. 

Fair Funding for Government Schools

I have included a link to a report that was recently released by the Australian Government Primary Principals Association (AGPPA) regarding school funding in Australia. There has been a lot of attention in the media from various sources on the perceived shortcomings of particular sectors and schools. The commentary is often very disheartening for teachers and Principals to read because it can be so difficult to truly capture the complexity of the role schools play in our communities. 

However, there is one very clear shortcoming of our system and that is in the distribution of public funding to schools. As a government school we are constantly seeking ways to try and stretch a dollar in a thousand different directions to try and provide the best conditions we can for our students and your children. 

In every state in Australia (except the ACT) government schools receive public funding equivalent to less than 91% of the required amount, while private schools receive over 100% of the required amount in public funds. Any additional parent fees, contributions and donations that private schools receive only expand the gap even further. 

During election cycles I am not able to comment on these matters due to restrictions on political messaging, however I think it is critical that as parents of children in government schools you are aware of these facts. It shouldn't matter what side of politics you support or vote for, government schools should be funded to the agreed 'Schooling Resource Standard'. 

While this report may not be everyone's idea of a fun read, I wanted to share it because it is important and tells a story that doesn't often make the front pages. 

While these gaps persist in funding, we remain heavily reliant on parent contributions being paid to help us maintain the environment, resources and standards at school for your children. 

I completely understand that many families may not be able to afford to pay in the current climate, but if it has simply fallen off your to-do list or slipped your mind, we strongly encourage families to take a moment to pay the parent contributions outstanding in Compass.