Wonderful concert
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Just back from the concert at Narooma Public School.
It was absolutely fantastic. The headmaster said in closing the concert that every child participated in some way to the production.
For a small country school it was a great job.
The auditorium, lighting, sound and every class item was excellent.
I’m not familiar with the teachers and support staff at the school but I did observe one lady, who later was presented with a bunch of flowers, Mrs Hextall.
How supportive and encouraging she was for all the kids, unobtrusive but popping along and cheering the kids along.
Bev Bensley
Narooma
Please give a Gonski for our kids!
So... what is a Gonski doing? And do you give a Gonski?
Gonski schools funding is based on the principle that every child should have the same chance to receive a high quality education.
So if the school has higher needs, it gets more funding. Right?
For example, regional and remote schools and those with a larger percentage of students who have disabilities, or come from low socio-economic backgrounds, identify as Aboriginal or are non-English speakers ... attract more funding for programs which will help them to reach the educational outcomes that are more accessible to students from more privileged backgrounds.
Originally intended to be an ongoing ‘top-up’ for schools with higher needs, this funding is at risk of being cut or ‘stopped short’ as part of the Federal Government’s measures to get on top of Australia’s economic deficit. Fair enough, you might say.
This is the equivalent of being told that your child, who has received extra funding since they started High School in Year 7, will no longer receive that extra funding to see them through the important ‘HSC’ years 11 and 12. And your younger child, who is starting Year 7 next year, will not be receiving any extra funding at all! Hey, hang on a minute, is that really fair – or good planning for the future?
At Narooma High School, the benefits of extra Gonski funding are already being experienced by our students in the form of targeted literacy and numeracy programs, support and assistance for Aboriginal students, dedicated and experienced staff working with students who have disabilities and in-class support for students who are struggling with learning difficulties or behavioural issues.
Opportunities for staff to ‘skill up’ have also increased, ensuring that our teachers are amongst the most highly qualified and valuable professionals in the country.
All this will be under threat if the Gonski promise is not followed through.
Schools and families need the certainty that the current level of funding will continue into the future, ensuring that high quality education is accessible to all students, for all of us.
Christa Mood
President, Narooma Teachers’ Association
Mayor's say - Oh to be young!
I spent some of the past weekend at the NSW Youth Council Conference at Murramarang Resort in Durras.
The event was a huge success on many levels and I came away feeling rejuvenated and encouraged by the ideas and energy generated by this wonderful group of more than 200 young people who represented the youth of 34 councils across NSW.
I can’t speak highly enough of our own Eurobodalla Youth Council who with the support of council staff, hosted the event from start to finish, gaining valuable skills and experience in all aspects of event management along the way.
A common theme throughout the program was sharing and developing skills and ideas for community projects and I look forward to seeking how some of these come to fruition in the years ahead.
One of the highlights for me was being invited to be part of the Community Leaders Panel along with Dr Peter Hendy Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, and Andrew Constance NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and NSW Member for Bega.
We were invited to listen and join the debate on issues such as whether the Higher School Certificate was still relevant with some feedback that young people did not want their future to be defined by a three hour exam.
We talked about how young people could best get their ideas and views in front of decision makers and the value of joining political parties and community groups.
I encouraged the group to commit to being involved in their communities, to be aware of political debates, and to be prepared to ask questions about decisions made.
Other sessions in the program considered how to effect community change, and the group heard from some inspiring guest speakers as well.
I was honoured to meet this impressive group of young people and I look forward to keeping in touch with them and hearing how they have pursued their passion for community in the future.
On another note, I encourage you to take a moment to visit the Where’s William website or remember this young boy and his family and friends who are reaching out and asking for everyone’s help to find William and bring him home.
Little William Tyrrell disappeared from his Nana’s home on the NSW Mid-North coast on Friday, September 12.
He was 3-years-old at the time and wearing a Spider-Man costume. Somebody may have seen something or might know something about William’s disappearance. Even the smallest piece of information may be the critical.
Please let me know if there are any issues that council can assist with. You can contact me at mayor@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au or phone 0418 279 215.
Clr Lindsay Brown
Mayor of Eurobodalla Shire
Constance visits Tuross
Andrew Constance our local State MP visited Tuross Head Country Club today Monday, September 14.
About a dozen local residents met with Andrew to discuss issues including local disability services, roadworks and highway improvements, local council boundaries and amalgamation, and regional employment opportunities particularly for the over 50s and young people.
Annette Kennewell
Tuross Head Country Club
Scripture class comment
How disappointing that Greens MP Dr Kaye thinks "there are too few hours in the crowded school system to waste the time of public school students on Scripture" (N/N 2/9/15). Wastes their time, Dr Kaye?
Many would dispute that, I'm sure. And even putting aside a faith in a compassionate and loving God who grieves so much more than we ever could over this world's injustices, the fact remains that so much of our Aussie culture - our very language, our legal framework, our sense of right and wrong, of social justice and compassion for the asylum seeker, the economic refugee and those in trouble and distress, in other words our desire to make and keep our world a better, kinder, healthier, safer place - we could go on - is exemplified, and has its roots in the scriptures.
To deprive our next generations of what is really just a smidgeon of access to the knowledge that backgrounds our very culture seems really unwise to me.
In the meanwhile, our gratitude and thanks to all those scripture teachers who have done, (and still do) their best to open society's eyes to the richness and possibilities of the treasure that informs our Judeo-Christian ethic and culture. It’s by and large a great culture, and it serves us well!
Marie Small
Narooma