Jamison High School’s 1050 students are just a fraction of local kids who will benefit from increased funding from the State Government.
In 2016, schools in the Penrith electorate will share $9.1 million of the Gonski agreement’s funding, up $1.4 million from 2015.
The funds are distributed more flexibly through a Resource Allocation Model (RAM), allowing Principals like Jamison High’s Gregory Lill to allocate funds where his school needs it most.
Mr Lill said the total $783,062 in 2016, up an extra $137,000, will support the school’s literacy and special needs programs, and make sure all students can access the curriculum.
“Next year we will be looking at an occupational therapist to work with the junior years, and to work on basics with kids as we have an autism unit here too,” he said.
“I’m trying to increase the capacity of our staff to deal with issues that they face, with a focus on learning design in the classroom.”
State Penrith MP, Stuart Ayres said the yearly RAM funding is flexible and allows Principals to focus on their school’s needs.
“This needs-based funding can be used in a variety of ways, including employing speech pathologists or specialist teachers to target learning areas,” he said.
In 2016, Braddock Public School will receive an extra $86,737, to $646,289, and Kingswood High School will receive a total of $1.16 million, an increase of $119,483.
Glenmore Park Public School was also a huge winner in the funding increase, with an extra $118,867 to total $403,370.
