College rejects reports it is on Federal hitlist for funding cuts

CANNON Hill Anglican College has moved quickly to quash reports they will be hit by a Federal Government funding cut under the new schools package.

Cannon Hill Anglican College has moved to assure parents fees won’t jump dramatically next year after reports of Federal Government funding cuts. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

CANNON Hill Anglican College has moved quickly to quash reports they will be hit by a Federal Government funding cut under the new schools package.

The independent school dispelled rumours parents would be slapped with higher fees after the college was listed as one of 24 elite schools to have their funding cut next year.

Cannon Hill Anglican College principal Robyn Bell said she had been advised by the peak body representing Queensland’s independent schooling sector, independent Schools Queensland, that the college did not feature on that list.

“The material out there hasn’t been correct and parents have appreciated our correspondence and we will continue that,” Ms Bell said.

“There is no surprises for us and no pain … our parents are not going to be put into a difficult situation.”

Ms Bell said she wanted to assure parents next year’s fees would not increase beyond what was considered the “normal” amount.

“Rises in school fees have been very moderate in recent times and that’s our commitment,” Ms Bell said.

“Funding is an element of what impacts fees but we have always received a smaller proportion (of that) and managed within our own framework.”

The reports started last week after the Federal Government introduced Gonski 2.0 and said it would increase funding for 9000 Australian schools as part of a new needs-based model with Queensland Government schools receiving an average 4.9 per cent increase a year over 10 years.

However, Federal Labor Member for Griffith Terri Butler said schools in Brisbane’s southeast would actually be worse off with the changes cutting $22 billion from Australian schools.

“Ripping $22 billion from schools is an average of $2.4 million cut from every school. That’s like sacking 22,000 teachers,” Ms Butler said.

“In Queensland, schools will lose $4.6 billion.

“Labor invests in education because we believe there’s nothing better for our society, or our economy, than well educated, well trained Australians in good, well paid jobs.

“I have written to the Minister, asking him to reverse the Turnbull government’s 2014 cuts in full.”