June 4 - 10, 2017: Issue 315
Gonski 2.0 Passes house of Representatives What It Means For our Local Schools
Gonski 2.0 passes House of Representatives: What it Means for Local schools
On Monday May 29th, the Federal Government’s $18.6bn national school funding plan passed the House of Representatives despite the opposition of Labor. The Australian Education Amendment Bill 2017, often referred to as ‘Gonski 2.0’, passed by 75-70 votes, paving the way for the Federal Government’s$18.6bn package to go into effect from 2018.Under the plan, Commonwealth funding for Australian schools will grow from a record $17.5bn in 2017 to $30.6bn in 2027. This includes more than $2.2bn in new funding over the first four years.
“Today the Turnbull Government is one step closer to realising David Gonski’s vision for true, sector-blind needs-based funding for Australia’s schools,” Federal Education Minister, Simon Birmingham, said in a statement.
“Today the Turnbull Government is one step closer to realising David Gonski’s vision for true, sector-blind needs-based funding for Australia’s schools,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Our plan delivers an additional $18.6 billion for Australian schools but that investment will be distributed according to a real needs-based formula that’s been endorsed by David Gonski. Our plan gets rid of the 27 special deals Labor stitched up that Gonski Review panellist Dr Ken Boston said “corrupted” needs-based funding.”
Minister Birmingham said the Turnbull Government’s plan had been backed by parent and educator groups from various states and sectors, by independent think tanks like the Grattan Institute and the Mitchell Institute and by David Gonski himself.
“I welcome the commentary and support from different quarters that aren’t tainted by special interest as well as the open-minded and engaging approach of the Senate crossbench. Their approach stands in stark contrast to the hypocrisy, crass negativity and outright lies being told by Labor.
“As well as ensuring Australia has truly needs-based funding the Turnbull Government recognises how important it is to see that funding used on initiatives in schools that boost student results.
“That’s why David Gonski will lead an entirely new inquiry into the most effective teaching and learning strategies to reverse the declining results of Australian schools.
"This new work will not revisit the review on funding because our reforms act on its recommendations. Instead, it’ll be about ensuring our record and growing levels of funding are used effectively to support the implementation of programs in schools proven to boost student outcomes.”
The Australian Government’s proposed new schools funding model will be more equitable and transparent and create a level playing field between schools, according to Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ).
In its submission to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee on the Australian Education Amendment Bill 2017, ISQ outlines its support for the proposed funding reforms, while acknowledging the changes will pose challenges for some independent school communities.
“This Bill creates a fairer and more consistent national platform from which to apply the Australian Government’s $242 billion investment in Australian schools over the next 10 years,” ISQ Executive Director David Robertson said.
“No funding model is perfect, but a policy that’s applied consistently and fairly to all schools, without regard to their state or sector, and without fear or favour, is an improvement on the current arrangements and deserving of acknowledgement and support,” he said.
“Unwinding the existing multitude of funding agreements to create a level playing field resonates with school leaders and many within the broader community.”
Mr Robertson welcomed the Australian Government’s creation of a $40 million 10-year Transition Adjustment Fund and recommended that schools losing funding in 2018 should be considered for priority assistance where there might be unacceptable dislocation to their school community.
Others have not been so positive in their feedback. The AEU federal president, Correna Haythorpe, said that while the majority of private schools will reach the Schooling Resource Standard that Gonski recommended by 2027, 84% of public schools will not.
In May, the Catholic Education Office Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn released modelling that shows Sydney and Melbourne Catholic schools may have to raise fees by $5,000 and $4,000 respectively over the next five years to adjust to the changes.
The NSW Teachers Federation (NSWTF) states the state’s schools would lose $846m over the next two years while the Victorian Government states 1,535 of its schools will be worse off in 2018 and 2019 under the changes.
Responding to concerns, Mr. Birmingham said that NSW schools would get $3.8bn over the next ten years while Victoria’s schools will get an additional $4.58bn. Catholic schools will get an extra $1.2bn by 2021, which represents a 3.7% growth in per-student funding.
“That is growth well above the wages growth that mums or dads around Australia are exercising at present,” Mr. Birmingham said.
Gonski 2.0 - Estimated Australian Government funding for your school
(Retrieved from School Funding Estimator: www.education.gov.au/sites/education/files/sch/calc/ )
Avalon Public School
2017 2018
$1,825,000 + $92,400 increase = $1,917,400
2027 Total 10-year funding
$2,913,900 over 2018 to 2027 = $23,913,600 increase of $5,663,600
Maria Regina Catholic Primary School (Avalon Beach)
2017 2018
$677,500 + $26,000 increase = 2018 $703,500
2027 Total 10-year funding
$969,300 over 2018 to 2027 = $8,314,900 increase of $1,539,900
Barrenjoey High School
2017 2018
$1,849,200 + $93,700 increase = $1,942,900
2027 Total 10-year funding
$2,952,500 over 2018 to 2027 = $24,231,600 increase of $5,739,600
Barrenjoey Montessori School
2017 2108
$222,000 + $11,800 increase = $233,800
2027 Total 10-year funding
$362,300 over 2018 to 2027 = $2,948,400 increase of $728,400
Bilgola Plateau Public School
2017 2018
$1,035,500 + $52,400 increase = $1,087,900
2027 Total 10-year funding
$1,653,300 over 2018 to 2027 = $13,568,200 increase of $3,213,200
Newport Public School
2017 2018
$1,749,700 + $88,600 increase = $1,838,300
2027 Total 10-year funding
$2,793,600 over 2018 to 2027 = $22,926,900 increase of $5,429,900
Mona Vale Public School
2017 2018
$2,309,200 + $116,900 increase = $2,426,100
2027 Total 10-year funding
$3,686,900 over 2018 to 2027 = $30,257,700 increase of $7,165,700
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School (Mona Vale)
2017 2018
$2,273,600 + $87,100 increase = $2,360,700
2027 Total 10-year funding
$3,253,000 over 2018 to 2027 = $27,904,900 increase of $5,168,900
Pittwater High School
2017 2018
$2,485,600 + $125,900 increase = $2,611,500
2027 Total 10-year funding
$3,968,600 over 2018 to 2027 = $32,570,800 increase of $7,714,800
Mater Maria Catholic College (Warriewood)
2017 2018
$6,367,700 + $244,200 increase = $6,611,900
2027 Total 10-year funding
$9,111,000 over 2018 to 2027 = $78,156,900 increase of $14,479,900
Elanora Heights Public School
2017 2018
$1,223,900 + $62,000 increase = $1,285,900
2027 Total 10-year funding
$1,954,200 over 2018 to 2027 = $16,037,900 increase of $3,798,900
Galstaun College(Ingleside)
2017 2018
$2,158,200 + $102,900 increase = $2,261,100
2027 Total 10-year funding
$3,358,800 over 2018 to 2027 = $27,844,200 increase of $6,262,200
Narrabeen Lakes Public School
2017 2018
$896,300 + $45,400 Increase = $941,700
2027 Total 10-year funding
$1,431,100 over 2018 to 2027 = $11,744,700 increase of $2,781,700
Narrabeen North Public School
2017 2018
$1,358,900 + $68,900 increase = $1,427,800
2027 Total 10-year funding
$2,169,700 over 2018 to 2027 = $17,806,800 increase of $4,217,800
Narrabeen Sports High School
2017 2018
$1,902,600 + $96,400 increase = $1,999,000
2027 Total 10-year funding
$3,037,800 over 2018 to 2027 = $24,931,600 increase of $5,905,600
In addition to Commonwealth funding, your school receives funding from your state or territory government. The latest information on funding provided by your state or territory government for your school is available at www.MySchool.edu.au
Please note that if your school is part of a system, Commonwealth funding is paid to the system as a block. The system will determine the amount your school receives.