Jordan Baker’s article about the growing ubiquity of the bank of nan and pop in the payment of school fees should make us very concerned about the direction our society has decided to follow (“Nan and pop widening schools gap”, January 7). Sure we all want the “best” for our kids and grandkids. But because so many of us who can contribute so freely to that end, we are changing the essence of our supposedly egalitarian society to something resembling mainstream elitism. In a country where a “fair go” used to be encouraged, even revered, it has become an anachronism. It’s led to a burgeoning estrangement within our society, the effects of which are already causing resentment and polarisation, and increasing potential for bitter turmoil. We are losing our way. Judy Finch, Taree
Use of the bank of nan and pop is increasing inequality.Credit: Simon Letch
Let us not forget that the Menzies government introduced state aid to appease the Catholic Church, which wanted to control the education of its flock and so maintain its power. What has followed is a fracturing of our school system into diverse groups, each wanting their share of control over its adherents. Josephine Piper, Miranda
Like Jordan Baker, I went to a state high school (Pittwater High School) because that’s just what you did 50 years ago. We had teachers who were as brilliant and some who were as lousy as any private school. You know you’re getting a rich education in life when someone from the back of Warriewood is dropped off at school by her market gardener father in his battered station wagon next to the bloke from Bilgola Beach in his dad’s Rolls-Royce. Long live public education, but let’s make it fairly resourced so there’s no more irrational fear of missing out. Rebecca Kaiser, Erskineville
I also wonder how much higher school fees will go. Given wages and the costs of housing and living, it is a laughable idea that the average family can afford them. Perhaps it highlights the fact that the money would have been better spent on the public system to provide not only great teaching but also state-of-the-art classrooms, libraries, laboratories, theatres and sports. Governments, the choice is yours. Augusta Monro, Dural
The media’s focus on high-fee schools is often unwarranted. There are more than 1000 non-government schools in NSW, educating 37 per cent of all students. Fewer than 40 schools charge fees above $20,000 a year – less than 4 per cent of all non-government schools, or less than 1.25 per cent of all NSW schools. There are more independent schools charging less than $2000 a year than those charge more than $20,000. I realise that, to many people, $20,000 seems excessive. What’s not widely understood is that the average cost of educating a child in a NSW government school in 2021-22 (the latest Productivity Commission data) was $23,558. Why do some schools charge more than $20,000? Fee levels are a consequence of the government’s school funding model, which gives independent schools with students from the highest income families 80 per cent less government funding than government schools serving similar students. Higher fees make up the shortfall. Rather than blame a tiny proportion of schools, we need to recognise that school choice in Australia is quite broad and accessible to many families. Thanks to government funding support, there are many excellent low-fee non-government and government schools. Margery Evans, Chief Executive, Association of Independent Schools of NSW
Hard street
Herne Bay was renamed Riverwood to escape the stigma of its social housing when the former US army hospital was taken over after WWII and converted into very basic housing commission flats. The segregation of the African-American soldiers and their white counterparts in the hospital by the US military was a foretaste of what was to come. Gerard McInerney, Kiama
An artist’s impression of the 29-unit housing block that Homes NSW is proposing to build for seniors in Riverwood in Sydney’s south.Credit: Homes NSW
The residents of Hardwicke Street, Riverwood are ignoring the benefits for their community. How great to have a new supply of people available to join their community, volunteering for sporting clubs, at schools, local charity groups and churches. There will be a ready supply of willing dog walkers, babysitters and substitute grandparents available. Welcome these seniors with a street party and reap the benefits. Maureen Lysaght, Terrey Hills
While the concerns of neighbours and other residents should certainly be taken into account by planning authorities, so must be the need for secure and affordable accommodation for people who have fallen through the societal cracks. St Vincent de Paul Society is not involved with the Riverwood project, but we operate a range of emergency and longer-term accommodation services for people in need nationally. Assisting older women has become an increasing priority as they tend to have minimal superannuation and often have a history of escaping domestic violence. Many have experienced homelessness or are at risk of facing it. Feedback from the residents of our properties and their neighbours is invariably positive and we remain committed to the development of suitable homes in Australia’s major cities as well as regional areas. Mark Gaetani, National President, St Vincent de Paul Society
Don’t be too hard on the Riverwood folk. You have no idea what old folk can be like. Cars racing up the street at 30km/h, inhabitants cackling over TV until 8pm and quite frequently having noisy grandchildren visit on weekends. Even worse, they probably want to stop and have a chat or comment on your garden! Might also have a cat or a dog and everyone knows how troublesome they can be. No, you stick to your rights and hope you are never old or homeless. Nola Tucker, Kiama
Hardwicke Street, Riverwood, with its “peaceful and family-oriented” environment, sounds the perfect spot for families and others forced to live in their cars to park until they find a more permanent abode. Gail McAlpine, Griffith (ACT)
As a resident of Riverwood/Peakhurst area, I am appalled at the attacks from all over the city on the good burghers of Riverwood. It smacks of hypocrisy when letter writers from the affluent suburbs of Coogee, Turramurra, Castle Hill and Hunters Hill accuse Riverwood residents of NIMBYism, a suburb where almost a third of all homes are public housing! How about putting some public housing in Hunters Hill? Ian Chan, Peakhurst
It’s unfair for the editorial to accuse the residents of Hardwicke St, Riverwood of being “blind to the existing block of flats in their street and to any sense of social responsibility” when they already have public housing on their street, and much more in their suburb. Bianca So, Peakhurst
Thrilled to be licensed
Thank you, Liz Hayes – my freedom came in 1972 with my driving test in an HR Holden (“The Kingswood, my passport to freedom”, January 7). I, too had driven along bush tracks for many years and the test could not come soon enough. I could not be tested on my birthday as the police only arranged tests on Wednesdays. I remember the policeman quietly telling me that “it is always a good idea to drive with two hands on the steering wheel”, as my over-confidence was beyond belief. That day was so special. I have never looked back. Philippa Reiss, Port Macquarie
Liz Hayes on her road to freedom. Credit: Michael Howard
Liz Hayes’ article triggered memories of getting my licence in a country town in the 1970s. Friends advised me to wear a short skirt, which I did. At the police station, a young policeman told me to drive around the block and do a reverse park. He said I’d passed, but his parting words were, “You’ve got your licence but don’t drive to Sydney in a hurry!” Megan Singer, Hamilton South
Bone of contention
Looking at the photo of Nicole Kidman, I am shocked that the skeletal look still seems to be acceptable (“Golden Globes mostly got it right this year - but what about Wicked”, January 7). The only positive thing is that it is a great learning tool for those studying anatomy; her humerus is beautifully outlined. Dorothy Gliksman, Cedar Brush Creek
Pyne lifts lid on nuclear sham plan
Hat’s off to Christopher Pyne for so clearly, if inadvertently, articulating everything that’s wrong with Australian politics (“There’s genius in this nuclear plan”, January 7). According to him, Peter Dutton should be lauded for concocting an energy/climate policy so fanciful and nebulous everyone in the Coalition can live with it, safe in the knowledge it’ll never ever happen and the status quo will trundle on. This, apparently, is a good thing. Meanwhile, anxious voters watch in grim desperation as the window for taking meaningful action to mitigate the looming climate catastrophe closes. Christopher Pyne compares the Coalition’s steadfast support of fossil fuel to The Last of the Mohicans. Looks more like Blazing Saddles to me. Dermot Browne, Marrickville
Peter Dutton Credit: Matt Davidson
Only a dyed-in-the-wool Liberal would see genius in a plan that is essentially a con job. Christopher Pyne’s premise appears to be that Peter Dutton has sold this sham of a plan to his Liberal and National colleagues in order to convince them that something has to be done about climate change. If that is correct what does it say about their intelligence and integrity? To follow Pyne’s argument through to a likely unsuccessful attempt to go nuclear, it leaves the Coalition looking like bumbling amateurs. I suppose that is slightly better than their reputation as climate change and science deniers, but not much. Pyne’s spin may have found purchase during his time in parliament, but I don’t see the genius in Dutton or in his strange sham plan. Geoff Nilon, Mascot
Thank you, Christopher Pyne for so thoroughly revealing that Dutton’s nuclear policy is a complete castle in the air, all about politics not about solving the energy supply problem nor bringing us closer to zero emissions. Should keep his leadership safe for a bit longer though and keep Gina happy. Sandra Hanlon, Avalon
In lauding Dutton for holding the Coalition together, Pyne has kicked the lid off the writhing mess that is still a deeply divided Coalition. If nuclear power is unlikely ever to happen and Littleproud thinks renewables are at peak capacity, what is the Coalition’s energy policy?
This reminds me of Brexit, another policy adopted to solve an internal party dispute. Put to the people; the benefits were overblown, misinformation abounded. Most Britons now deeply regret it. The harm done will take years to repair. And once again the Coalition fixes party room disputes while continuing to do nothing on climate. Brenda Kilgore, Red Hill (ACT)
Christopher Pyne opines that “most Australians have accepted nuclear-powered submarines in the cause of our national defence”. How would he know? I don’t remember being asked and suspect most would think they are a waste of money that would be better spent on other things such as housing, education and health. Judith Campbell, Drummoyne
Perhaps the suggestion of genius is somewhat generous, but there is no question that Dutton’s nuclear plan is a smart ploy. As Pyne asserts, the Coalition leader has successfully guided his members into accepting the need to address climate change, adopting a policy of introducing nuclear power in lieu of coal. As a political strategy, it is very smart. While being seen to be clean and green, it will substantiate support from voters in electorates significantly dependent on fossil fuel extraction. In his presentation of the cost of nuclear power, he sensibly ignored the inevitable financial encumbrance of maintaining desperately fatigued coal-fired plants, waste management and eventual decommissioning. Regardless of one’s own political stance, Dutton is to be admired for his leadership and well-focused determination to achieve government. Roger Epps, Armidale
Coffee brouhaha
I’m sure that stressed cafe owners are already value-adding as much as they can but wouldn’t it be nice if some of these thought to make fresh-cut sandwiches (“Charge $7 for a coffee? Some stressed cafe owners would rather shut down”, December 7)? I often crave a salad sandwich or a ham and tomato but no one seems to do that any more. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls
The most I have ever paid for a large flat white was $13.25 at a chain store in the Dubai Mall in 2024. It was nice, though. Grahame Marks, Manly
Gone and not forgotten
Even as an adult, the death of both parents can leave you feeling totally rootless (“Like Kidman, I was not prepared for losing my mother”, January 7). There is no longer someone to whom you can turn and say “Do you remember?” because the only memories left are all in your head. Sharing memories with children or siblings does help, but they do not have the unconditional love for you that your parents had. Share thoughts of love while you can. Marjie Williamson, Blaxland
Held to account
In what could be game-changing developments for the Murdochs, Fox Corporation lost a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Rupert’s own fellow investors to hold the Murdochs personally liable for Fox News broadcasts (“Trump headaches to dog Fox and the Murdochs in 2025”, January 6). They pushed Trump’s claims of being robbed in the 2020 election due to faulty voting machines, despite knowing it wasn’t true. The investors obviously aren’t pleased about paying out nearly $US800 million to compensate one of the voting machine companies with the other company intending to sue soon, another expensive threat. But the personal attack on Rupert and Lachlan suggests they may be fed up with Rupert’s politics. Rupert’s family is split down the middle and that court drama is also still playing out in the US. Could it be that Rupert’s strategies are not working any more? What if Rupert and Lachlan were held personally liable for all the disinformation that spews out nightly on Sky News here? Gary Barnes, Mosman
Life imitates art for Rupert Murdoch and his children (from left) Lachlan, Elisabeth, Prudence and James.Credit: SMH
Not so smart
I would like to add to the National Film and Sound Archive the great Tony Abbott malapropism, “That no one, however smart or well-educated, is the suppository of all wisdom” (Letters, January 7). Mark Berg, Caringbah South
Sam is the man
Whatever is written about Sam Konstas’ character, one trait that would have been missed by many was the generous and spirited hug he gave to the security guard after the series was won, showing that he had truly learnt his alma mater Cranbrook’s motto “Esse Quam Videri”; “to be rather than to seem to be” (Letters, January 7). May he never lose his humility and may his peers use that moment as one to remember their own. John Agostini, Kensington
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