1984 School Magazine

schooling to Year 12. At B.C.G .5.,98y" of girls entering in Year 8 complete Year 12. What do these figures mean for Australia and more particularly, to parents and students in this school? As Barry Jones stated in an address at the recent H.M.C.,/A.H.l.C.S.A. Conference in Brisbane - r'4u51- ralia has a split level education system which perpetuates social, ethnic, class and regional divisions in society instead of eliminating them . . . The educational and occupational futures of most Aust- ralian children can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy by asking such questions as: "Where do you live? What school fo you go to? What does your father do?" This split level of education that has been supported through a concept of freedom of choice has helped to create a situation where only a limited group of young people are seen as educable. Girls at this school fall into that group. It has also helped to create a division within our society between those who have and those who have not had access to what is.called a "better" education. Australia is a young, developing nation where such inequalities should not exist. It comes at a time when we are becoming more and more dependent on foreign technology because of the small bank of educated minds that out system has developed. Again, as Barry Jones suggests, "Australia's prospects in developing 'brain based' industries and progression is limited. Previously resource-poor nations such as Switzerland, Denmark, The Netherlands, Japan and Singapore have risen rapidly because of the development of export earnings directly attributable to intellectual input: in- vention, research and development, product inno- vation, design, patents, royalties and copyright." For the situation to improve, the government has determined there must be a re-distribution of money for education on a basis of need. Considering all the facts no one can really successfully argue against this policy. Unfortunately, however, changes to f unding policy have occurred at a very rapid rate and although this school is not presently affected, a number of schools in states other than Queensland have been affected and they have had little time to adjust to the new conditions. The rapidty of change has, I believe, created diviseness between the government and non-government sectors and amongst non-government schools and, at the same time, it is decreasing accessibility to many non- government schools. Last year in my annual report I spoke on state aid and my concern that during 1983 it would be as hot an issue as in the late 60's. This has indeed happened and at a time when we should all be far more concerned with unity of purpose to ensure better educational outcomes for all Australian children. Many of the benef its that should be available to all have been provided by the parents of this school through determination to use your freedom of choice in relation to the education of your children. This school has confidence to plan for the f uture because we know our parents have confidence in us and are prepared to support us.

The reasons you have chosen this school for your daughters are many and varied but in choosing, you show not only a desire for what the school has to offer but also a recognition of the fact that parents know they can have some part in shaping and maintaining the school along desired lines. ln exercising f reedom of choice to educate your child in the school of your choosing, there is however, no automatic right to financial support for that decision. When the choice is made, responsibility accompanies it - a financial responsibility that often carries with is considerable personal sacrif ice, particularly when more than one child is to be educated. Parents contribute, in this school, approximately 62%of the recurrent expend- iture i.e. teachers' salaries, maintenance and equipment. Governments, both State and Federal, provide the balance. When capital works are being considered, input f rom parents is higher - atT5yowith 25% provided by the State Government because this school is a Grammar school. The contribution by parents can only be reduced if the school qualifies for Commonwealth funds under special capital grants, and if funds are available. For the school to continue to provide highly qualified staff, satisfactory, relevant courses and modern facilities, parents must make the bulk of the contribution. The school is indeed grateful for the support we receive from the majority of our parents but we must never forget that the input would need to be greater if governments did not also contribute to the education o{ your children. The girls leaving to-day will be the parents of the f uture and when they come to the time when decisions regarding their childrens' education must be made, I hope they will have planned financially so that their freedom of choice can be exercised but with the knowledge that with that right, there is responsibility - a responsibility that cannot be lightly dismissed.

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