The parents at Davidson High School in Frenchs Forest have been advocating for upgrades to the school hall, which is in a state of disrepair. The Parent and Citizens (P&C) president, Anahita Olsen, highlighted issues such as broken ceiling panels, old toilets, and a lack of permanent stage or seating. After attracting media attention, the government promised upgrades, including refurbishing change rooms to accommodate students with additional needs. Similarly, the P&C president at St Ives High School, Sarah Gibbons, expressed concerns about the increasing financial burden on P&Cs, who are now expected to fund essential items such as shade cloth, textbooks, buses, and wellbeing programs.
In response to the teachers’ historic pay rise of up to $10,000 a year in October, Education Minister Prue Car stated that the pay increase would be funded through budget-saving measures. These measures included reducing the number of executive teachers who did not have face-to-face time in classrooms, as well as cutting down on consultants and labour hire. The president of the Northern Sydney District of P&Cs, David Hope, raised concerns about operating budget cuts and the cancellation of interschool sports due to financial constraints. While supportive of the teachers’ pay rise, Hope questioned the lack of budgeting for the increase and its impact on schools.
Secondary Principals’ Council deputy president Charles Gauci highlighted challenges in managing school maintenance and minor capital works. The department’s asset management unit took control of the process in July last year, leading to changes in how small projects were managed. While the new arrangement was intended to simplify the process, Gauci noted delays in large projects due to teething issues and difficulties in finding tradespeople. However, a Department of Education spokesperson stated that the new system had reduced callout times and increased the response rate to maintenance requests.
Despite concerns about budget cuts to cover the teachers’ pay rise, the department emphasized the importance of placing teachers in classrooms to improve student outcomes. NSW experienced a significant decrease in teacher vacancies at the start of the school year, and its teachers now received higher salaries compared to other states in Australia. The department aimed to find savings without impacting the front line of schools, with a focus on efficiency and optimizing resources. While challenges remained in managing school maintenance and capital works, efforts were made to streamline processes and support local tradespeople for quicker response times.
In conclusion, parents and school communities in Northern Sydney have been advocating for necessary upgrades and resources for schools, facing challenges such as budget cuts, financial constraints, and delays in maintenance projects. While teachers received a significant pay rise, concerns were raised about the impact on school budgets and the need for efficient resource management. The department’s efforts to streamline maintenance processes and support local tradespeople were welcomed, but further improvements were needed to address teething issues and delays in projects. Overall, the focus remained on providing quality education and opportunities for students, despite financial challenges faced by schools.
