School maintenance boost
Education Minister James Merlino has announced a $10.4 million funding package for much-needed maintenance to 230 Victorian schools. The funding will be used for a range of maintenance work such as plumbing, painting, resurfacing floors and replacing windows, as well as external landscaping works including pathways and lighting. See the Minister’s announcement Download a list
Are the “school funding wars” over?
Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge recently commented that “the school funding wars are over.” According to this article in The Guardian, “The reality of his strange declaration of victory is seven-and-a-half-years of neglect.” The article details how public schools have been denied billions of needed funding over four years as the federal Coalition government systematically
Parent payments: PV media comment
The Age reported today that Victorian state school families spent more than $400 million last year in “parent payments” on education essentials. This is equal to $619 in parental payments per child every year. The article also points out that schools in socio-econonically advantaged areas are able to collect much more in parent payments than those in disadvantaged areas.
Schoolyard safety
A recent article in the Herald-Sun is a timely reminder of schools’ and parents’ responsibility to keep children safe on play equipment. According to the article, more than 1,000 primary school students injure themselves in the schoolyard each year, with monkey-bars and climbing frames causing 70 per cent of injuries. PV Executive Officer Gail McHardy is quoted
Covid-friendly Fundraising
Many Parent Clubs will be asking, “How can we fundraise in this time of reduced incomes and constantly changing Covid restrictions?” Our friend Mandy the Fundraising Whisperer has some answers. She has published a list of ‘Covid-friendly’ fundraisers that she says will still work in these difficult times. Tea-towels, books, gifts with kids’ artwork on them…
Masks at school: PV media comment
The Herald-Sun reports today that students returning to school this week have been told to carry a mask at all times, but they will only be “recommended” when in class. According to the article, Education Minister James Merlino on Thursday confirmed the controversial coverings would not be “mandatory in schools, but it’s recommended if you
Research: Public vs private
New research shows that public schools do just as well as private schools, after differences in socio-economic background of students are considered. A recent study published by reseearchers at the University of New England found that, after taking account of the different socio-economic background of students, private schools are not associated with higher average student achievement in standardized literacy and
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Effect of the lockdown on children: PV media comment
According to a report on 3AW, new research has found that two thirds of Victorian parents are worried about their child’s education after the state’s extended lockdown. An Australian National University study found 43 per cent of parents surveyed in other states, which did not experience such lengthy school shutdowns, are concerned about their child’s
Our achievements for 2020
2020 has been another busy year for Parents Victoria. We wanted to bring you a snapshot of our achievements for the year. Major Events Parents Victoria (October) 2020 online conference – “Brave New World” November Careers Webinar in partnership with Myfuture (Education Services Australia). Who we worked with Department of Education Australian Council of State
