Glebe was one of the schools highlighted in February’s story as having had a significant decline in kindergarten:it went from 55 students in 2018 to 24 last year. The kindy cohort at the local Catholic also declined,but by much less,and is now the more popular choice in the suburb.
It is not the first time a P&C has taken matters into its own hands. As Harris writes,last yearWaverley Public parents successfully campaigned for a selective class,concerned by the number of students who left at the end of year 4 for other public schools with an “opportunity class”,or private schools.
The Education Department is doing what it can to showcase excellence. School photos of actress Rose Byrne,an alumnus of Hunters Hill High,were shared during her awards season this year. As the Matildas took on Japan in last weekend’s Asian Cup grand final,it boasted of how many in the national squad had been educated at NSW’s public comprehensive and sports specialist schools.
But these efforts come up against pervasive negative sentiment towards public schools and their staff. Much of which,it must be said,is perpetuated by parents whom,as theHerald reported last week,principals have now been given stronger powers to ban from campuses and restrict from abusively contacting teachers.
A school is only as good as its community. It is heartening to see parents who want the best for their children show up for their local school,rather than join the exodus.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories,analysis and insights.Sign up here.