Comparison hardly similar
It was disappointing to see Dr Timothy Peterson make misleading comparisons between his private school and a nearby government school (‘Gonski 2.0 fairer for all’ Examiner, June 29).
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In brief he claims that data on the My School website shows it would cost governments $1.9 million more each year if his students were enrolled "across the road".
The My School website was partly created to enable fair comparisons between schools enrolling students with similar backgrounds.
It shows that the two schools are far from similar.
His school has a socio-educational advantage index of 1065.
The index for Tomaree HS is 970 (most schools fall between 900 and 1150).
In other words: his school enrols students who are more advantaged and cheaper to teach.
Comparing the per-student costs of the two quite different schools is precisely the sort of silliness that the website helps us avoid.
Perhaps Dr Peterson needs to do more homework and compare the per-student recurrent funding at his school with amounts going to government schools enrolling similar students.
He could still claim that the taxpayer saves on capital funding, but amounts like the $5.5 million in government capital funding his school has received 2009-15 could purchase quite a few extra classrooms to accommodate his students across the road.
I'd be delighted to sit down with Dr Peterson and work through all the issues he has raised and make any findings public.
Chris Bonnor
Nelson Bay
A haven in Harbourside
The recent Four Corners program [on ABC] focused on one company, Aveo, operating in the aged care industry.
There are many not-for-profit companies also offering secure accommodation to the elderly who are concerned for the welfare (and pockets) of their residents.
As a resident in a village, I would highly commend Harbourside Haven Villages operating in Port Stephens for their honest and transparent contracts and residents care policies.
M.J. Thomas
Salamander Bay
Taking on decision makers
I attended the police forum at Tilligerry RSL.
It was very well attended.
Acting Superintendent Wayne Humphrey did a very good job.
Unfortunately I had to unexpectedly leave early.
Before I left he said that if we wanted more services it was up to us.
The people making the decisions are politicians. We have to find ways of convincing them to provide the services we want.
The best way I know is to be part of the organisations that endorse them.
We either get a Coalition or a Labor government.
I am very biased and suggest more people join the Labor Party, but if this is not your cup of tea, we live in a great, free country so keep the Libs, Nats or Greens on their toes too.
It just so happens that a meeting was held on Friday, June 30 to form a Tilligerry Branch of the ALP.
The required number of people attended and it seems that there will be a branch here before the coming council elections.
You only have to travel on our local roads to know that the Lower Hunter is being screwed by all forms of Government.
Where did the $1.7 billion we got for selling the port of Newcastle go?
Become active and involved in politics and don't continue to sit back and allow the pollies do what they like and continue to ignore us.
Bay Marshall
Tanilba Bay