Dear divine_msn,

I am sucking it up. I am spitting chips that the state school my kids go to has missed out on quite a bit of federal and state funding because they are going to be getting a new school. However this has been constantly delayed over many years and I now doubt now my eldest will get to enjoy the facility.

However the one that has really riled me was the School Pride funding, supposedly for short term maintenance. Our school was entitled to get $200,000 but when the local member announced the funding the five top private schools in our area all got the full amount but we only received $139,000. This was a lot more than what was first mooted but some serious lobbying right up to Gillard’s office saw the amount increased but not to the full $200,000 promised to me by the department.

And lo and behold the local labour member happens to be an old grammarian.

So get a little riled when the same local Grammar school received federal funding in the millions for a new equestrian centre while we get short changed on some desperately needed basic maintenance for a terribly run down school.

I’m going to keep banging on doors and whinging like hell to get a better deal for the school and my children. The thinking displayed by some in this forum would have me as a bad parent because I haven’t exercised my choice and withdrawn them and placed them in a better equipped school. But cutting and running is the last resort.

Instead I will lobbying hard to get the inequities in our system changed and doing my bit help the school get adequate funding. My hope is my children take from this a certain ethic that will serve them and whatever community they live in well.

So divine_msn call me a whinger if you like but if you have a problem with my sector wanting a fair share of the taxpayer funded university places then your greed isn’t part of the Australia I want for my children.

Replying to:csteele, Wednesday, 5 August 2009 11:11:32 PM

Well I really do hope it works out for you and your kids ; it didn't for me.
When I let them know exactly how unimpressed I was , they were genuinely amazed asking me 'What happened?'

Well indeed , I will not explain further ; it would be a vexation to my spirit .

csteele - Kudos to you for being proactive and fighting to get a better deal for your kids school. I hope you are part of a unified, organised, sizeable parent & citizen group.

I don't know what State you are in but here in Qld tertiary students pay fees (HEX). This can be paid each semester (receive a discount) or deferred until the student is earning above a threshold at which stage HEX debt is repaid directly out of wages/salary or yearly as Tax bill. HEX fees vary according to the Degree one is pursuing with resource needy courses (like medicine, vet science)attracting higher rates than business for example.

The taxpayer subsidises but certainly does not fund fully. Also if you are a High School leaver wanting a University place you will qualify on merit. If you are capable, have worked hard and your school has been up to scratch delivering the required curriculum you will get a place. The advantages "Grammar School" students get is they have been in an environment conducive to learning and where there is expectation they will knuckle down and achieve. The mean intelligence of the group is higher than average - genetic or opportunistic (Parents are often highly educated, successful, smart people who breed smart kids or a student has been awarded a scholarship)

That's the truth and it's unlikely to change. Keep a close eye on your offspring and ensure the standard of education ie curriculum and delivery at their school is up to par. Encourage and support constantly, be prepared to seek help if necessary. Mind the company they keep as unsavoury peer influence has ruined the chances of many a good but easily led kid. You will need to do all these things very diligently if as you say your childrens school is lacking resources. Good luck!

The greatest cost to Australia of the last 30 years of commercialisation of elitist schools is "It's not what you know but who you know and what school you went to". Parents pay big money to send their children to such schools so that no matter how incompetent they are they will get a well-paid job or directorship. The result is a land of inept arrogant bosses who disable iconic Australian companies then sell them off to multinationals at bargain prices.