T (07) 3394 9999 Absentee Line (07) 3394 9964 E email@loreto.qld.edu.au W www.loreto.qld.edu.au PO Box 1726 Coorparoo DC Qld 4151
Volume 25 - 20 August, 2013 Dear Parents and Students
God our Creator, Mary Ward’s life was permeated by a deep trust in Divine Providence, even in the face of incredible dangers. She was able to say with firm convic on: “Our happiness, security and progress are not to be found in riches, greatness and the favour of princes, but in having our way open and free to Almighty God, whence our strength, light and protec on come.” Let us ask for a detachment from things which prevent us from travelling lightly on this earth and the grace to know where our true wealth lies – ‘in having our way open and free to Almighty God.’ Amen.
TOWARDS THE FEDERAL ELECTION 2013 Over the next three weeks I have been asked to provide the community with a series of ar cles on ‘Catholic School Funding’ and the ‘Policy Ques ons’ being put to the two major par es by the Catholic Sector. This informa on has been provided by the Queensland Catholic Educa on Commission (QCEC) in partnership with Queensland Parents and Friends for your interest and informa on. I trust that you might find it helpful.
UNDERSTANDING THE FACTS ON FUNDING FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS For over 180 years, Catholic schools have educated children in Australia. Today, Catholic schools enrol 735,000 students in 1,706 schools across the country. Both major par es have commi ed to increases in school funding over the next four years. It is important to understand the facts about funding for Catholic schools. One‐in‐five Australian students currently a end a Catholic school.
Catholic schools have a strong social jus ce mission to form well‐rounded individuals who make a posi ve contribu on to their local communi es. A strong Catholic educa on system contributes to a strong Australian community. All governments provide important funding for Catholic schools along with families who contribute to the costs of Catholic educa on through fees and fundraising. According to the Australian Government’s My School website, Catholic students receive, on average, 20 per cent less government funding than students in government schools. Even when parent fees are taken into considera on, Catholic schools operate with an average of 10 per cent less recurrent funding than government schools. Even with fewer resources per student, the Australian Catholic school system is amongst the best in the world, compared to Shanghai, Finland and Singapore on interna onal tests, for student performance across all socio‐economic backgrounds. Catholic schools save the taxpayer $2.2 billion each year which helps take the pressure off government schools. Ahead of the Federal elec on on 7 September, both major par es have been asked a number of ques ons about funding for Catholic schools. Their responses will be provided in the near future. For further informa on please visit www.qcec.catholic.edu.au
JusSincerity ce Sincerity Freedom
FREEDOM JUSTICE
Verity Verity
Felicity Felicity