HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS GET A HELPING HAND
Non-government schools in the Hawkesbury region have received more than $64,000 in additional funding to put into resources where they are most needed, Member for Hawkesbury Dominic Perrottet announced today.
“Schools such as Hawkesbury Independent School, Arndell College and Kuyper Christian School will benefit from this additional Gonski funding, which is calculated on a needs basis,” Mr Perrottet said.
“These extra resources go directly to our Hawkesbury independent schools allowing Principals to better meet the unique needs of their students and the school community.”
Education Minster Rob Stokes said the NSW Government is providing more than $45 million to Catholic and Independent schools in 2017; up from the $25 million in 2016.
The funding comes from the NSW Government under the National Education Reform Agreement, also known as the “Gonski” reforms. Under the 2013 agreement between the federal and state governments, Government, Catholic and Independent schools would all be funded to the same standard. Loadings are provided on the basis of student need, such as low socio-economic status, Aboriginality and students with disability.
“The NSW Government passionately supports the existing Gonski agreement because of the benefits this funding brings to our students, Mr Stokes said.
“We will continue to advocate for the federal government to honour this agreement.
“All our schools are important community assets, and we are committed to providing funds to support students in both government and non-government schools consistent with our agreement with the federal government.”
The payment, to schools below the School Resource Standard, is the first of two to be made this year.
In 2017, the NSW government will provide $1.1 billion in funding for the non-government school sector, of which $60 million is additional funding. Government school funding figures will be announced later this year.
