Public schools were banned from demanding money from parents. Now they’re losing millions
Exclusive
Education

Public schools were banned from demanding money from parents. Now they’re losing millions

Parents are giving significantly less to public schools since a crackdown on mandatory fees in 2021,leaving a $35 million hole in the budget. But while some are struggling,other schools are thriving. See how your school rates with our interactive graphics.

  • byRobyn Grace

Latest

This school hall burnt down. Then the parents had to pay
School funding

This school hall burnt down. Then the parents had to pay

Principals are grappling with smaller budgets,with parents asked to pay for basics such as textbooks.

  • byChristopher Harris
The parenting decision that has left Vaucluse Public with more funding than schools in Penrith
Education

The parenting decision that has left Vaucluse Public with more funding than schools in Penrith

Numerous schools in Sydney’s east are bringing in more taxpayer cash per student than some of Sydney’s most disadvantaged pockets,a Sun-Herald analysis can reveal.

  • byChristopher Harris
Why the slow decay of children’s handwriting skills spells trouble
Education

Why the slow decay of children’s handwriting skills spells trouble

Growing numbers of students are typing rather than writing their exams,due to fears their messy or illegible penmanship will hurt their marks.

  • byMadeleine Heffernan
The Perth schools racing towards 3000 enrolments
Education

The Perth schools racing towards 3000 enrolments

Enrolments at schools,particularly in Perth’s western and southern suburbs,are booming,some racing towards the 3000 mark for the first time.

  • byHolly Thompson
Prep students should not be suspended from school,Human Rights Commissioner says
Education

Prep students should not be suspended from school,Human Rights Commissioner says

Students in Prep,who can be as young as four,should not be suspended for misbehaving in school,the state’s Human Rights Commissioner has argued.

  • byFelicity Caldwell
Advertisement
Melbourne school charged over ‘preventable’ death of student
Education

Melbourne school charged over ‘preventable’ death of student

Lachlan Cook,16,died after becoming ill from a complication of diabetes while on a school trip in Vietnam.

  • byAlex Crowe andJewel Topsfield
Shenton College student,13,fronts court over alleged box cutter rampage
Courts

Shenton College student,13,fronts court over alleged box cutter rampage

Prosecutors claim a 13-year-old boy facing serious charges after allegedly threatening staff and students at the school had asked a friend to record the assaults.

  • byHolly Thompson
‘Please don’t make our jobs harder’:Suspended students to get more power to appeal
Education

‘Please don’t make our jobs harder’:Suspended students to get more power to appeal

A public school principal has spoken out against the Miles government’s plans to grant more appeal rights to students given short suspensions in Queensland schools.

  • byFelicity Caldwell
Chair of independent schools peak body quits ‘effective immediately’
Education

Chair of independent schools peak body quits ‘effective immediately’

John Ralston tendered his resignation after reports the NSW Association of Independent Schools allowed a child sex offender to remain on its board after it was advised of his past crimes.

  • byLucy Carroll
Teen who stabbed fellow Perth student jailed after diary entries reveal ‘murderous intent’
Courts

Teen who stabbed fellow Perth student jailed after diary entries reveal ‘murderous intent’

Although the student was initially charged with aggravated unlawful wounding,police later uncovered diary entries suggesting a plan to commit multiple murders.

  • byHolly Thompson