Narrabri West Public School is reaping the benefits of a federal funding allocation worth more than $1.2 million to the school over four years.
The money is part of a needs-based funding system which takes the Gonski Review recommendations into account.
Under the system each school gets a base level of Commonwealth and state funding, plus additional money depending on the school’s size, location and the individual needs of students, such as whether they are from a disadvantaged background or have a disability.
Narrabri West Public School qualified for additional funding due to the school’s location in a lower socio-economic area, and received an extra $1200 per child from 2012 to 2015, which is around $320,000 per year.
Principal Stephen Mahar said the money has mainly been used to give teachers professional development opportunities and to employ support teachers in Kindergarten, Year 1 and 2.
“We want to build the capacity of the teachers in what they do at the school, their learning is key to it, and we’ve put in place programs that will be sustainable in the school even when the money stops,” he said.
“Processes are now in place so that incoming teachers will be able to benefit and join in and be part of what we’ve done so it’s sustainable even if staff change.
“It’s a massive amount of money, we can do a lot with it, and it certainly has been of benefit here,” Mr Mahar said.
“Our results over the last three years have been really good.
“It has made a difference to the teachers we had in the school but also the quality of the teaching they are able to do.”
Eligible public schools in the Barwon Electorate will receive an additional $5.2 million dollars in 2015 as part of the needs-based funding program.