SCHOOLS across the Orange electorate will benefit from $3.2 million in additional needs-based Gonski funding next year.
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Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli visited Bowen Public School (BPS), Orange High School (OHS) and Canobolas Rural Technology High School (CRTHS) to announce the funding on Monday. Mr Piccoli said the funding targeted several areas of improvement including literacy, numeracy and student wellbeing.
“It is about academic performance but it’s about the social and wellbeing aspect as well,” he said.
BPS received $234,589 of additional needs-based funding while OHS received $229,851 and CRTHS received $143,027.
Since 2014, BPS has used the funding to employ learning support officers to help kindergarten, year 1 and 2 students with literacy and numeracy and a specialist teacher for intensive reading assistance for years 3 to 6.
This has resulted in improved literacy and numeracy results with 30 per cent of students placed in the top three NAPLAN bands in 2016, compared to seven per cent of students in 2013.
OHS will use the funds for bring your own device assistance for teachers, to continue to build the school’s information, communication and technology infrastructure, a literacy program to support students to achieve comprehensive literacy skills, an expansion on the gifted and talented program and an expansion on the school’s positive behaviour for learning program.
CRTHS will extend professional learning activities for teachers and run Aboriginal studies, numeracy and literacy programs.
Other schools to receive funds included Bletchington Public School ($262,688), Borenore Public School ($6,599), Calare Public School ($199,152), Canobolas Public School ($18,361), Cargo Public School ($20,358), Clergate Public School ($29,309), Glenroi Heights Public School ($54,084), Mullion Creek Public School ($14,133), Nashdale Public School ($15,791), Orange East Public School ($88,305), Orange Public School ($116,498) and Spring Hill Public School ($19,589).