Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
26 Sep 2012
Parents at Catholic schools across NSW are concerned the state government's decision to slash funding by $116 million over four years will not only mean a rise in fees but a reduction in teacher aides and the support given to children with diverse learning needs.
"Next year I will have four children at St Mary's Primary in North Sydney with varying levels of needs and it would be a great pity if the school was forced to compromise the range of services and support it gives to students as a result of these cuts," says Karen Henry.
The mother of six says while academic achievement is important when she and her husband Michael decided on the type of education they wanted for their children they chose the holistic approach of Catholic schools where each child is encouraged to be the very best they can be.
"We wanted an education that created a fully founded person and embraced and encouraged the creativity, spiritual needs and individual talents of each child," she explains.
St Mary's Primary was also chosen by the Henry family for its close relationship with their local parish.
"It is a small caring school and like other Catholic school education promotes social justice issues and helps children develop a sense that they can make a difference," she says.
Karen's two eldest children, Georgie 13 and Hugh 12 were both educated at St Mary's Primary before going on to Catholic secondary schools.
"Although St Mary's Primary is only a small school, one of its great strengths is its ability to cater for all types of children, providing additional learning support wherever it is needed," Karen says.
With her three younger children Tom 8, Charlie 7 and Darcy 6 currently at St Mary's Primary and the baby of the family, Lucy 4 due to join her siblings when she starts school next year, Karen is concerned the shortfall in state government funding will mean cutbacks in teacher aides and support staff.
She is not the only parent with children enrolled at Catholic schools upset over the NSW Minister of Education, Adrian Piccoli's decision to slash 1.7 billion dollars in funding to Catholic, independent, private and public schools as well as TAFES.
Since the funding cuts were announced by Minister Piccoli just over a week ago, more than 2000 parents with children at Sydney's 147 Catholic primary and secondary schools have signed a petition in protest, demanding the O'Farrell Government urgently rethink its decision.
Many of those who have logged on to the Sydney Catholic Education Office's website to sign the petition, have also expressed their concerns at the sharp drop in funding and what it might mean for their children.
"The proposed cuts are an issue of equity. They are very unfair. Catholic parents already receive less funding overall and do a lot of fundraising," writes Veronica Love. "Schools like St Brendan's, Annandale, are very lucky to have supportive parents but resources will be stretched and students will be affected."
Another parent, Karen Morey takes issue with not only with the cuts but the fact they were made without warning or prior consultation. "They have been made at short notice and don't allow a school to properly budget for next year," she writes and is concerned that the cutbacks will impact her school's literacy support program.
"We pay our taxes - we pay fees on top of that. We are happy to do that but we also want part of our tax dollar to help our children with their education," writes Jennifer Arnold while Melissa Lionetti points out that most Catholic parents are not wealthy and make sacrifices to ensure their children get the best education possible.
"We pay as much as we can now. But if the fees were to increase it would make it much harder. I don't want my children to go to another school because the morals and values taught at the school are fantastic," she writes.
For Belinda Roland the funding cuts are an outrage. "I feel I am being discriminated against because I am Catholic," she says and predicts that "special needs will suffer, teachers' aides will go, valuable programs will be cut and class sizes will increase."
"I will do whatever it takes to be heard to stop the O'Farrell Government going ahead with this funding cut," she writes.
Sheree Hughes' response is equally direct. "I am angry, upset and feel betrayed," she posts on the petition website. "Resources will be cut and school fees may go up. Some parents have three or more children at our parish school. They will find any increase very hard."
To sign the petition against the NSW Government's planned cuts go to www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
26 Sep 2012
Karen Henry with eldest daughter Georgie wants a holistic Catholic education for her six children
"Next year I will have four children at St Mary's Primary in North Sydney with varying levels of needs and it would be a great pity if the school was forced to compromise the range of services and support it gives to students as a result of these cuts," says Karen Henry.
The mother of six says while academic achievement is important when she and her husband Michael decided on the type of education they wanted for their children they chose the holistic approach of Catholic schools where each child is encouraged to be the very best they can be.
"We wanted an education that created a fully founded person and embraced and encouraged the creativity, spiritual needs and individual talents of each child," she explains.
St Mary's Primary was also chosen by the Henry family for its close relationship with their local parish.
"It is a small caring school and like other Catholic school education promotes social justice issues and helps children develop a sense that they can make a difference," she says.
Karen's two eldest children, Georgie 13 and Hugh 12 were both educated at St Mary's Primary before going on to Catholic secondary schools.
"Although St Mary's Primary is only a small school, one of its great strengths is its ability to cater for all types of children, providing additional learning support wherever it is needed," Karen says.
With her three younger children Tom 8, Charlie 7 and Darcy 6 currently at St Mary's Primary and the baby of the family, Lucy 4 due to join her siblings when she starts school next year, Karen is concerned the shortfall in state government funding will mean cutbacks in teacher aides and support staff.
She is not the only parent with children enrolled at Catholic schools upset over the NSW Minister of Education, Adrian Piccoli's decision to slash 1.7 billion dollars in funding to Catholic, independent, private and public schools as well as TAFES.
Georgie 13, Hugh 12 stand behind Charlie 7, Lucy 4, Darcy 6 and Tom 8
Many of those who have logged on to the Sydney Catholic Education Office's website to sign the petition, have also expressed their concerns at the sharp drop in funding and what it might mean for their children.
"The proposed cuts are an issue of equity. They are very unfair. Catholic parents already receive less funding overall and do a lot of fundraising," writes Veronica Love. "Schools like St Brendan's, Annandale, are very lucky to have supportive parents but resources will be stretched and students will be affected."
Another parent, Karen Morey takes issue with not only with the cuts but the fact they were made without warning or prior consultation. "They have been made at short notice and don't allow a school to properly budget for next year," she writes and is concerned that the cutbacks will impact her school's literacy support program.
"We pay our taxes - we pay fees on top of that. We are happy to do that but we also want part of our tax dollar to help our children with their education," writes Jennifer Arnold while Melissa Lionetti points out that most Catholic parents are not wealthy and make sacrifices to ensure their children get the best education possible.
"We pay as much as we can now. But if the fees were to increase it would make it much harder. I don't want my children to go to another school because the morals and values taught at the school are fantastic," she writes.
For Belinda Roland the funding cuts are an outrage. "I feel I am being discriminated against because I am Catholic," she says and predicts that "special needs will suffer, teachers' aides will go, valuable programs will be cut and class sizes will increase."
"I will do whatever it takes to be heard to stop the O'Farrell Government going ahead with this funding cut," she writes.
Sheree Hughes' response is equally direct. "I am angry, upset and feel betrayed," she posts on the petition website. "Resources will be cut and school fees may go up. Some parents have three or more children at our parish school. They will find any increase very hard."
To sign the petition against the NSW Government's planned cuts go to www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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