29 January 2012
Peter Garrett AM
Federal Member for Kingsford Smith
Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth
The Minister for School Education and Federal Member for Kingsford Smith, Peter Garrett, welcomed thousands of students in Kingsford Smith back to school.
“This is an exciting time for the students of Kingsford Smith, who will be returning to even better equipped schools, thanks to the Gillard Government’s investment of more than $65 billion in education,” Mr Garrett said.
“The Gillard Government believes every child in every school should have access to a great education, which is why we have almost doubled funding to schools since 2007.”
In Kingsford Smith, this funding has given students access to:
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One trade training centre at Marist College, Pagewood, to give local secondary students more career options including in the construction, carpentry and hospitality trades from years 9-12. Construction is due to start soon.
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New or upgraded school facilities, including 21 classroom projects, 16 libraries, 23 multipurpose halls and 1 language centre;
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One student welfare worker to help students face the many challenges that can arise in the school year ahead;
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3928 new computers in schools; and
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Support to address disadvantage, improve literacy and numeracy, and improve teacher quality through the Smarter Schools National Partnerships, with 6 schools in Kingsford Smith taking part.
“The Gillard Government’s commitment to education has made a real difference to schools in Kingsford Smith, with all students having access to a fantastic education,” Mr Garrett said.
In 2012, the Australian Government will begin to deliver:
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$200 million for the More Support for Students with Disabilities initiative in government and non-government schools, in addition to the $40 million already allocated to children with autism and their families;
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More access for students to the National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare program, and schools now able to choose to employ a chaplain or welfare worker;
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More than $62 million to support increased local decision-making in 1,000 government and non-government schools over 2012 and 2013; and
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$30 million over two years towards closing the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student education results, by improving attendance, classroom participation, and literacy and numeracy achievement in specially selected schools.
“The Gillard Government also this year launched a new website, the Easy Guide to Socialising Online, which was developed to help parents, children and educators combat cyberbullying and inappropriate content online,” Mr Garrett said.
Mr Garrett reminded Kingsford Smith families to take advantage of the Australian Government’s Education Tax Refund, with families able to claim 50 per cent of eligible education expenses, up to a maximum refund of $794 for high school children and $397 for primary school children on back-to-school items.
“The Education Tax Refund can help ease the financial pressure that the new school year can put on families.
“On top of the regular items, such as computers, home internet connections, textbooks and stationery, at tax time 2012 parents will also be able to claim school-approved uniforms, including hats, footwear and sports uniforms purchased,” Mr Garrett said.
Parents who don’t need to put in a tax return can use the Education Tax Refund claim form to claim over the phone.
Figures show more than 4,880 families in Kingsford Smith received a total of $3,178,700 in assistance for school expenses under Gillard Government’s Education Tax Refund (in the 2009/10 income year).