Willetton SHS takes second recent state funding hit

WILLETTON Senior High School has taken a second financial hit in the State Budget, with about $1 million moved to smaller schools.

Rossmoyne Senior High School will also lose a similar amount, bringing the total cut across the two schools to $2.3 million.

Riverton MLA Mike Nahan accused the Labor Party of punishing schools for being successful.

Education Minister Sue Ellery said the student-centred funding model was being improved to ensure a more equitable share of funding for WA high schools.

“Bigger schools with more students attracted more funding, giving them increased flexibility to manage their operations such as offering more subjects and options compared to smaller schools,” she said.

“Because of this, more parents opted to send their children to these schools meaning big schools continued to grow and their funding increased. Smaller secondary schools were disadvantaged.”

Schools will have their funding slashed by $1145 for each student above 1200 students.

Dr Nahan said the Student-Centred Funding Model and the Gonski Model were premised on equitable funding to schools on a per-student basis, depending on what year they are in.

“Labor has basically said that students attending Rossmoyne and Willetton Senior High Schools are worth less than students attending schools elsewhere in WA, as they will receive less funding towards their education than other students.

“It’s phenomenal that this is being called an ‘equity adjustment’ when students attending Rossmoyne and Willetton Senior High Schools will no longer receiving equitable funding.”

For Willetton Senior High School, it compounds the State Budget reallocation of the $11.78 million that would have built more than 20 classrooms in Stage 3 of its redevelopment.

Ms Ellery disputed Dr Nahan’s claim the school was left in the middle of a rebuild, saying Stage 3 was not due to start until 2018-19.

MORE: Four facing drug and weapons charges after raids on homes

MORE: Mum of two’s second bout with breast cancer inspires pink high tea fundraiser

MORE: Golfathon will be no stroll in the park