Federal Budget: upper north shore schools celebrate cash injections after concerns over education funding overhaul

SCHOOLS on the upper north shore have hit a cash bonanza in this week’s Federal Budget, following recent concerns over Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s education funding overhaul.

Cherrybrook Technology high will receive a $15m increase in Federal Government funding.

SCHOOLS on the upper north shore have hit a cash bonanza in this week’s Federal Budget, following recent concerns over Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s education funding overhaul.

Despite concern over funding shortfalls, the upper north shore has come out on top with all schools, private and public, receiving significant cash injections.

The Federal Government’s newly released School Funding Estimator revealed Cherrybrook Technology High, one of the biggest schools in NSW, would receive the largest funding boost of $15 million, bringing the school’s federal funding to more than $64 million.

St Lucy's School will receive a $14m increase in funding over 10 years. Picture: Adam Ward

St Lucy’s School in Wahroonga would receive an increase of more than $14 million, to reach a total of $38 million over the next 10 years. In all, $38,803 will be allocated to each student.

St Lucy’s principal David Raphael said he was “very pleased that the government has supported our specialist education and it seems they are determined to support the National Disability Services schemes, which also benefits our students and their families.”

Knox Grammar School, which caters for kindergarten to Year 12, will have an estimated increase of $13 million over the next 10 years to a total of $75 million.

Knox Grammar School received a dramatic increase in federal funding.

Knox Grammar headmaster John Weeks said he welcomed the changes.

Knox headmaster John Weeks said the school welcomed “the clarity the Federal Government has provided by announcing its funding model, which will allow schools to plan for the next 10 years with certainty”.

“The funding is expected to be allocated to the cost of employing and supporting our highly skilled and passionate teachers,” he said.

Barker College, which was forecast to receive a reduction in funding from the Federal Government, will receive an increase of $6 million over 10 years to an estimated total of $58 million.

Head of Barker College, Phillip Heath.

Principal Phillip Heath said the school “applauds the decision to establish a level playing field and funding model across all sectors of education, that surpasses politics”.

“We welcome the courage of setting up a basic agreed principle for how schools would be funded,” he said.

“If it is fairly done, consistent and on the basis of principle and fairness, then the school understands the government’s decision.”

The reforms will see $73 billion injected into NSW schools in the next 10 years. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was “keeping a close eye on the Federal Budget”.