School Amalgamations

The State Government budget cut of 2010 identified savings of $8m through the amalgamation of 42 junior primary and primary schools around South Australia.
All but two of the review panels set up by the government have recommended not to amalgamate the schools yet there is no sign the State Government intends to abandon its plan.
To date, Minister Portolesi and Premier Jay Weatherill have been unable to provide any sound educational justification for the cuts.
The AEU, along with parents, teachers, leaders, SSOs and students at the nineteen schools opposes the amalgamations, which will lead to:
- The loss of dedicated early childhood leadership and teaching expertise
- The loss of specialised learning programs; and
- Funding cuts of $8 million.
Communities affected by the proposed budget cuts have been active in campaigning against the budget cuts are asking for your support.
Please follow this link to send a letter to Premier Jay Weatherill and Minister for Education and Child Development Grace Portolesi requesting them to abandon their plans to close nineteen junior primary schools around the State.
Don't forget to add your name to the bottom of the letter, which you can adapt if you wish. Please don't adjust the salutation at the start of the letter (Dear @FULLNAME).
Thanks for your support!
Walk for Gonski
AEU members and supporters of public education will "Walk for Gonski" to encourage the government on March 23. > Read more
Further cuts to public schools if no action on Gonski
The urgent need to campaign for action on Gonski was reinforced yesterday with the release of figures showing billions of dollars will be cut from schools if nothing is done. > Read more
Important step forward in Gonski campaign
The hard work of teachers, principals and parents in the I give a Gonski campaign is starting to pay off with the Federal Government last week introducing legislation into Parliament to create a new funding system. > Read more
Do your block for Gonski
From November 10 - 17 join teachers, parents and principals from across the country and take part in a special action – Do your block for Gonski. > Read more
Gonski legislation is an opportunity for historic change
The Australian Education Union today called for all political parties to support the Gonski legislation, saying it was an opportunity to make a historic change in the way schools are resourced and children are educated. > Read more
Parents, teachers lobby state leaders on Gonski
Teachers and parents from across Australia have urged state and territory leaders to reach an agreement with the Federal Government over the funding of the Gonski reforms. > Read more
$5 billion education investment needed
Yesterday the Federal Government released the Gonski Review of Funding for Schooling Final Report. > Read more
Gonski Review supports greater public school funding
The Gonski Review report reveals the urgent need for the reform of school funding arrangements and an investment of at least an extra $3.8 billion a year in public schools. > Read more
Public wants greater investment in schools not cuts
Political leaders from around the country should take notice of new research in NSW which shows overwhelming support for a greater investment in public schools and trenchant opposition to the NSW Government’s cuts. > Read more
Time to act on school funding
The long-awaited report of the Review of Funding for Schooling is set to be released next week and parents and teachers are being urged to take urgent action in support of better public school funding. > Read more
Gillard gives a Gonski; does Grace?
South Australian public schools are set to receive a $1500 on average annual boost per student as a result of Julia Gillard’s Gonski commitment. > Read more
National tour for better public schools funding begins today
A national tour and advertising blitz begins today as part of the final phase of a campaign for better funding for public schools. > Read more
Secret report reveals underfunding of public schools
The need for an immediate overhaul of the way schools are funded has been confirmed in a confidential report. > Read more
Garrett: funding formula letting down public school kids
The AEU has welcomed Education Minister Peter Garrett's recent comments that the current funding system is "letting down some of our kids", particularly those in public schools. > Read more
Proposed voucher models will give billions to private schools
Public education advocate Save Our Schools says two voucher models for federal schools funding proposed to the Gonski review by private school lobby groups will deliver massive funding increases to private schools. > Read more
November 15: National Day of Action on Schools Funding
The AEU, in conjunction with the Australian Council of State Schools Organisations, Austrailan Secondary Principal's Association and the Australian Government Primary Principal's Association, urges all supporters of public education to get involved in a national day of action on schools' funding this November 15th. > Read more
National Day of Action for public education tomorrow
Parents, teachers and principals from across Australia will take part tomorrow in a National Day of Action for Public Education. > Read more
National Day of Action announced
Parents, teachers and principals are being encouraged to take part in a National Day of Action in support of greater funding for public schools. > Read more
Greater investment in public schools needed
The Australian Education Union said today that independent research commissioned by the Gonski Review confirmed the need for a fundamental overhaul of school funding and a greater investment in public schools. > Read more
Spending on public schools below international average
A new report has revealed Australia is spending a smaller percentage of government funding on public schools than almost any other major nation in the world. > Read more
Research shows school funding needs overhaul
The need for a fundamental overhaul in the way schools are funded and the investment of additional resources in public schools is confirmed in new research released today. > Read more
Gonski discusses Federal Funding Review on ABC
Chair of the Federal Government's Schools Funding Review panel, David Gonski, discusses the review on ABC Radio National's Life Matters. > Read more
Australians overwhelmingly support greater public school funding
Teachers, principals and support staff from around the country will take part in the Australian Education Union's 27th Annual Federal Conference which begins in Melbourne today. > Read more
I won't pay to send my kids to school
Comedian Wendy Harmer expresses her views on school funding in this great Sunday Telegraph article. > Read more
AEU Campaign Newsletter - November 2010
Make a submission to the Federal Funding Review. Don't give up your hard won rights. State Budget Cuts. Don't close the door on adult re-entry. > Read more
Make your voice heard on public school funding
The Federal Government has announced a review of the way it funds public and private schools. > Read more
Federal Funding Review Resources
These resources will assist you in the review submission process. > Read more



