Education funding was front and centre of the Labor federal election campaign this past week, with Paterson MP Meryl Swanson committing tens of thousands of dollars to schools in Port Stephens under a new Shorten government.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tomaree High, Bobs Farm Public and Irrawang Public all came under special attention, collectively receiving $121,000 for improvements to buildings and technology-based resources.
Tomaree High School will receive $46,000 to fully equip their STEM classroom with equipment ranging from a laser engraver, cutting system and vacuum former to a Sphero pack, Ipad minis, mobile flip tables and mutli and digital force metres.
"This is all part of preparing and supporting students in industries such as Defence and aviation in highly technical jobs. This equipment and furniture will allow students to learn new technologically advanced skills in coding and designing."
At Irrawang Public, $55,000 has been pledged to re-surface the outdoor basketball court and fund a sun safe shade area. "The basketball court is cracked and faded. The P&C told me this was something they want fixed, but their priority has been covering the cost of a shade cloth recently erected over their outdoor play area."
The 38 students at Bobs Farm Public are also set to benefit from a $20,000 commitment to install interactive white boards to replace their existing boards which are more than 10 years old. It was a welcome announcement for the P&C committee.
"These announcements are on top of the extra funding [Port Stephens] schools will receive for teaching and learning in the first three years of a Shorten Labor Government," Ms Swanson said. "Schools across Paterson will be $23.6 million better off under Labor."
IN OTHER NEWS