Slimefest 2016: Tickets + Info

Oooh, bring it, Sydney!

Nickelodeon’s SLIMEFEST completely lived up to its name today, turning thousands of Melbourne kids GREEN at Margaret Court Arena.

Hosted by Delta Goodrem, the epic event featured tonnes of slime, stunts and performances by international headliner Omi, Havana Brown, G.R.L., In Stereo, Mashd B Kutcher and Megan Nicole.

Delta was in charge of the slime and didn’t disappoint, unleashing slime mayhem on the excited Melbourne crowd. Go, Delts!

“It was amazing to experience the buzz and excitement at SLIMEFEST today. The kids couldn’t wait to get slimed and of course, neither could I! It was truly a moment I’ll never forget,” said Delta.

Here's the proof!

Delta opened the show with her brand new smash hit River before heading into a Wings/Dear Life mash-up, which saw slime fly out of her piano and into the crowd – and that was only the start! Australia’s hottest export Havana Brown wowed the crowds with a debut performance of her brand new single Like Lightning, before pumping out her top hits, We Run the Night, Big Banana, You’ll Be Mine and Warrior. Boy band and teen heartthrobs In Stereo sent their fans crazy with She’s Rock and Roll, Make Your Daddy Like Me and Honest. They finished their set by throwing their arms in the air and unleashing a shower of slime rain onto the ecstatic crowd.

Newly reformed G.R.L., got the kids up and dancing to their global hits, Wild, Wild Love, Don’t Talk About Love, Rewind and Ugly Heart in their first arena performance since announcing their comeback this year. Jamaican pop sensation Omi, kept the crowd bopping with his global smash hits Hula Hoop, Drop In The Ocean and Cheerleader. The final SLIMEFEST performance was by Brisbane based DJs Mashd N Kutcher, who “mashed” up favourite Nickelodeon theme songs to create the ultimate Nickelodeon dance tune!

SLIMEFEST wouldn’t be complete without a final EPIC sliming, Nickelodeon style! Delta, along with all the SLIMEFEST performers, returned back on-stage to take on SLIMEFEST’s official dance – the MAYHEM MOVE, before being covered head to toe in the glorious green goo.

SLIMEFEST 2016 will be heading to Sydney for two more shows (11am and 6pm) on Friday 30 September. 

The SLIMEFEST 90 minute special will air exclusively on Nickelodeon on Friday 30 September at 6pm.

Tickets are available for both Sydney shows via SLIMEFEST.COM.AU. Ticket options include: Premium Mosh (mega-slime-action), Standing Floor (moderate-slime-action) and Seated (no-slime-action).

Here is the action from the 2015 Slimefest.

And here is the action from 2014 Slimfest.

And more pics galore from Slimefest 2014, like these:

 

 

'There Is Life After' - Reach Out: VIDEOS

220,000 young Australians are about to go through one of the most stressful times of their lives: their year 12 HSC exams.

I LOVE this new initiative by Reach Out Australia, called 'There Is Life After.'

Reach Out Australia provides information and help about tough times and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, suicide, eating disorders, bullying and relationship issues.

Their new campaign is exceptional.

In their own words:

Around 76,000 students will sit the Higher School Certificate in coming weeks and now there is an internet campaign offering advice that is easier to give than to follow.

In a word: Relax.

Politicians and celebrities have joined the mental health initiative to reassure students there is life after the HSC.

It's a simple idea, with a simple message.

They have produced a series of videos, featuring inspiring Aussies, and each of their stories on their lives after the Higher School Certificate.

Says the video description:

Reach out to a year 12 student this month to let them know there’s life after year 12 exams by sharing a video from http://thereslifeafter.org

#thereslifeafter





















Share this post and this photo:

For more info on Reach Out and this campaign, click here.

Josie Webster: Viral Video - Engadine High School

Mess with a special needs mum and… God help you.

Hell hath no fury like… a tiger mum of a special needs child.

I keep thinking of the words my friend with an Asperger's child: "You will be his strongest advocate," she said when I told her my son was diagnosed with autism.

I didn't quite get it yet, but I got a good sense of it.

And not that I have ever had to get my claws out - just yet - to defend and speak up for my son. But goddammit, I would, and I will.

Just as Julie Webster did for her daughter Josie, pictured here:

Josie is in year 10 at Engadine High School. Her Year 10 formal was last week, on Thursday. Julie found out about it in the worst possible modern-day way: via photos on Facebook post-event.

Julie was so upset and hurt, she decided to show the world how beautiful, capable and confident her gorgeous daughter Josie is. Here is the soon to be viral video:

Until the event on Thursday, neither Josie nor her mother Julie knew a Year Ten school formal had even been planned.

Also: proceeds from ticket sales for the dance were going to fund the Engadine High School special needs unit where Josie is among a number of students with "mild" or "moderate" learning difficulties. So, it's kinda weird Josie did not get an invite (and neither did four other special needs kids), no?

Heartbreakingly, another special needs student bought a dress in anticipation of a pre-Christmas party, only to find out on Facebook the formal had already taken place.

"She was devastated," Julie Webster tells news.com.au in this article.

School principal Joanne Jarvis has refused to comment, although she has sent an email to Mrs Webster saying the school had no involvement in the party.

WHATEVER happened and whoever is to blame (can somebody please 'man up' and admit responsibility, and stop embarrassing Josie and Julie, and provide a little dignity to the whole debate?!), it should not have happened, and Josie (and Julie) will never get that opp to celebrate this important event again.

At my son's special needs unit - and his school in general - I could not wish for a more inclusive, wonderful, embracing spirit. As I dropped my kiddies off this morning, I asked one of the teachers from the special needs unit if she'd heard about the story. I filled her in. "Disgusting," she said. Her heart sunk and her face said it all. With a few words exchanged, we understood each other completely.

Again, whatever happened, my heart aches for Josie and Julie. You would understand, yes. Maybe, possibly. Ask a special needs mum what she thinks about it all in the depths of her heart and you see and understand the pain Julie speaks of.

However, something here does NOT add up. The school says they did not know about who was invited and I believe them. Indeed… read below:

UPDATED:

Engadine High School has issued this statement:

Year 10 Formal Correction

Engadine High School would like to correct the inaccurate reporting of the recent Year 10 formal. This event was NOT organised by the school but was a private function organised by a group of parents. The school understands that notes were distributed to students in Year 10 including students in the Support Unit on a number of occasions during roll call. The school has been assured by other Year 10 parents of the Support Unit that they received the notes and invitation. The event also had its own Facebook page publicly available. As such this occasion was a matter for individual students and their families to decide if they wished to attend.

Engadine High School’s strong record of active inclusion for students with special needs in all aspects of school life as exemplified by participation in this year’s Schools Spectacular - extends to instilling in mainstream students the importance of this principle outside as well as inside school. 

Engadine High School will continue to actively pursue the schools values of inclusivity, participation and care for all the children the school serves and stand very proud on our record in this area. 

'Jonah From Tonga': ABC TV new show 2014

Look who is back...

JUST announced... Jonah Takalua is back on our TVs in 2014.

The 'Summer Heights High' fave is back in his own show, it was just announced tonight at the ABC 2014 program launch.

Titled 'Jonah From Tonga', the cheeky bugger with Polynesian heritage - who loves drawing penises and muttering "Puck you, Miss/Sir" to his long-suffering teachers - will be back taunting and generally being a big turd at school.

Are you happy Chris Lilley's Jonah character is being reprised? Following all the industry whispers, did you expect this character to come back with his own series?

To follow the official Jonah Facebook page, click here. 

UPDATED: more info on the show from ABC TV:

The just-received press release says:

"Jonah’s back and ready to puck with viewers in 2014

After months of speculation, ABC TV has tonight confirmed that Jonah Takalua is set to return to screens in his very own show in 2014. The announcement came after a week where viewers were presented with a series of trailers, on ABC’s iview platform, each featuring former Chris Lilley characters all hinting at their potential return to the small screen.

The last time we saw the 14-year old school boy he was expelled from the concrete playgrounds of Summer Heights High with his father, Rocky Takalua, sending him back to his homeland of Tonga to live with his uncle and their family to help get Jonah’s life back on track. 

The new series, produced by  Princess Pictures and Chris Lilley in conjunction with ABC TV, sees Jonah in the midst of island life and experiencing the familiar frustrations of a bored teenage delinquent. But whether he’s in Tonga or Sydney, school life is still not cool for Jonah and his Poly-posse, who continue to spread his trademark swearing, telling of tall tales and signature ‘Dicktation’ tagging all over school grounds."

The six-part series, will also air on BBC3 in the UK, and will air on ABC1 in early 2014.

Here is a mini best of the very cheeky, rude-as Jonah:

And here is the teaser clip:

'Music: Count Us In' - Harrison Craig interview

Hundreds of thousands of school children across Australia will today sing the same song at the same time on the same day in Australia’s biggest annual school music gig: ‘Music: Count Us In’.

Now in its sixth year, Music: Count Us In starts on Thursday October 31 at 12.30pm (AEDT).

The program highlights the value of music education in Australian schools. Research shows that music education has lost its place in many schools, despite its range of benefits to students’ development. This year's program involves a record-breaking 2150 schools.

Right across Australia, kids will sing the program song, ‘Keep On’, written by four high schools students with help from singer/songwriter Katie Noonan, and recorded by 'The Voice' runner-up Darren Percival.

More events for the day:

SYDNEY: 12.30pm - Singer, dancer and 'Australia's Got Talent' Judge Timomatic, will join seven students at the top of Sydney Tower’s SKYWALK, singing to over 300 children in Hyde Park, along with amazing singer Ngaiire, and a group of 60 ukulele playing students.

MELBOURNE: 12.30pm  - This year’s 'The Voice' winner Harrison Craig will join program ambassador John Foreman, student songwriter Abby Slattery, and 100 students on the Arts Centre Melbourne Upper Lawn.

I interviewed Harrison Craig to talk about his involvement in the project, as well as his current tour around Australia.

"Right now I am packing my bags for the start of the regional leg of my tour tomorrow, starting with Bendigo", he told Josie's Juice.

He has lined up 18 or so shows for the tour (go to: www.harrisoncraigofficial.com.au or call Ticketek or Ticketmaster), and he's very excited.

This young man represents exactly what a passion for music starting from school age can do to provide a solid foundation for music and signing for life. Harrison completely attibutes his school years to establishing his lifelong love of music.

"One of my fondest memories was my school Christmas concerts," says Harrison. "You prepped for two months and the whole shool was so pumped. We would sing carols and throughout my school years, it was one of those things where you had to be involved. You either sang the Christmas carols, or played the piaductiino, or was in the production somehow."

"I can remember that from prep school to year 12 music was a huge part of my life, and while at school I played the piano, guitar and saxophone and we had concerts and plays."

So, what is Harrison most excited about with this event?

"Being able to show kids how ethused you can be at school with something as small as a Christmas carol, or a tune you enjoy, because that can bring so much joy to you and everyone else around you. Kids need to know that school is a place to learn and grow

It has been quite the learning curve for Harrison this year, after his win on 'The Voice Australia.'

"For me, 'The Voice' has given me so much more confidence, and knowing who I am and who I want to be. For me, Seal was this huge… I don't even know how to describe it because he was just so incredible and totally supportive.

We're talking calling at 1am just to chat about everything; that’s pretty cool, and it’s not everyday you get that kind of confidence put in you."

Harrison, 19, loves what he sees when he looks out at the audience during performanes.

"During the metro leg of my tour it was nice to see the whole diverse groups of people there… from age 14 to 94," says Harrison, who was about to post up a photo on Instagram right before we were in touch for this interview.

"It's really nice to share what you’re up to with people who feel like they're in touch with you on social media.

Speaking of the medium, musical director John Foreman - who travels with Harrison - changes his voice and leaves voice to text messages which are quite funny to listen to, Harrison reveals.

Harrison travels with his devoted mum and brother Connor whenever he can, but being on the road all the time means he gets to travel with his music crew only.

The touring has given Harrison to opportunity to connect with people.

"With this school program it's so important for kids to take what they want out of it and try it, give it a go."

Harrison has had a huge impact on people, young and old.

"I've heard quite a few stories of hope during my time of on The Voice and in prepping for this album."

To hear those stories about people recovering from cancer or losing a family menber or going through difficult times is pretty damn rewarding.

"Today, I happened to re-watch my 'blind audition' on The Voce and it still hit me how incredible life is, and how incredible it is that you can suffer for so long (Harrison overcomes his stutter on a daily basis), and you get a helping hand from out of nowhere, and that helping hand helps you achieve anything. It does change your life. It’s just crazy

"I talked to Seal (his show coach) the other day for three hours…we are so in tune with each other, and I am so grateful that I have a person like that I can call my friend, and we can talk for hours about everything. It's so nice to have him in my life. I'm truly blessed.

Here is a clip on 'Music: Count Is In':

For more on 'Music: Count Us In' click here.

Working mums and school drop off and pick up: how do they do it?

So... let me get this straight.

You get up between 6am and 7am. Prep the kids for school, do the drop off, and get home by 9.30am? Then, wrap up by 2pm tops, and make your way to the school again, pick up the kids, have snacks ready, maybe even dinner if they're hungry.

Or: do all of the above, and accelerate it so you're out of the house even earlier, drop off the kids as early as possible, then race off to work and try your hardest to get there by 9am - because after all of that daily madness the last thing you want is any judgemental co-worker stares...

Am I on the right track here?

Day four into kindergarten-hood and it's confronting. But not surprising.

What seemed like a bit of a novelty - and it still is for now - already feels like: man, I have to do twelve years of this?

I've said it before, and I will say it again: the single biggest asset a young family can have is one thing and one thing only: a grandparent who can drive.

Think about it: the grandparent who is old enough to retire, yet young enough to care for your kids, and has a driver's licence is the biggest asset of all. This selfless soul [bonus points if you have TWO grandparents' help on tap! Four grandparents? Well... you have just won life's lottery] allows you to go to work and not worry about leaving at two on the dot to collect your kids. This angel will take your kids to their home, feed them, deal with tired tantys, maybe even bathe them, and have them ready for you after you've dealt with your own madness at work: battling traffic, dealing with budgets and meetings and work politics and deadlines.

And what kind of work options are even available to parents with kids at school?

A job where you can do a daily shift of 10am to 2pm?

But what happens every 10 or so weeks when kids go on school holidays? Can parents take two weeks off every few months? Impossible!

Of course there is vacation care for the above dilemma, and after school care for school pick up... but... imagine the costs involved!

As I said, I am very new to this but the quandary is very clear to me now: women who have children have to make a ridiculous amount of sacrifices, unless they have family support on tap, anytime, anywhere... for free.

I am so very grateful I work freelance - there simply is no other way!

What is your experience of balancing the work/life/school/kids balance?

Share your views below!

Oh... here is a photo of my twins' first day of school a few days ago. My husband took a day off work and helped with school drop off of our precious duo. It was a very special moment, though obv a one-off.

Jennifer Hudson and Sandy Hook Choir at Super Bowl 2013: VIDEO

The performance from Jennifer Hudson and the Sandy Hook Elementary School Choir at the 2013 Super Bowl was spine-tingling and emotional.

Here is the full clip:

Kids starting kindergarten - a survival guide before the big day

Okay, now I understand what parents go through during the school holidays.

Those weeks and weeks of entertaining, cleaning up messes, feeding... and more entertaining. Gah!

For the first time in years, I have no childcare available during this transition period between the last day of childcare late last year and the first day of kindergarten for my now five year old twins, so they are home with me everyday. Twenty-four hours a day. Unless I escape to the grocery store (or an afternoon tea with Kevin Rudd. More on that in another post!). Or unless I take the chaos elsewhere (a park, a kiddie playland, a play-date with a fellow mum friend, etc).

Okay, so sometimes it's not chaotic at all, and totally manageable, and actually quite awesome hanging with my little people. Just this morning we made pancake people (faces on pancakes made from grated fruit and chocolate drops), and we snuggled in bed, and had a play outside.

But throughout the day the house is trashed (in varying degrees... it's just that these days my tolerance for mess is low), feeding demands are constantly made ("Mummy, I want raisin toast! Mummy, I'd like some chicken", etc, etc), and requests to be kept entertained are expressed.

Again, sometimes these days are okay... but other days... Oh! Please help me!

I have been adamant that every single day I don't need to come up with something exceptionally exciting for them to do. I know this will be harder as they get older but I always want them to understand that sometimes it's okay to simply be, just hang out, just relax at home and read and enjoy what we have here, and all the simple pleasures.

The thoughts I have in my head (I'd like to escape on a long holiday, alone... with my laptop so I can keep writing) are tempered by the fact I know that life will change forever in a few weeks.

My kids start school and I am equal parts excited, anxious, nervous, happy, melancholic, joyful... and a gazillion other emotions.

It's the start of a whole era. And I know I will miss them. But then I read this...

How do you feel about your kids starting school again? Or are they starting kindergarten this year? Share your comments and thoughts below.

Schools on strike: what teachers and mums think

So, this morning as I sat down to work from home after dropping my kids off to daycare I found myself hearing the headlines again on the teacher's strikes affecting NSW teachers and kids and wondering: say if I was working full time in an office? What would I arrange for my school aged kids [the twins start school next year, so from 2013 on, this is likely] when teachers go on strike? What would I do? I have no babysitter help on tap. What do other full time mums/workers do?

So I used the best public barometer possible - Facebook! - to ask my friends what the thought about it all. The replies blew me away. Talk about a passionate, knowledgeable lot. With their permission, their thoughts are reproduced here.

Veronica starts: "I was going to post about it this morning but I held back as it is a very controversial subject. I endured strikes for many years whilst my girls were in a state school but really its gotten ridiculous of late. I realise that teachers have their argument but what is it teaching our children?? That its okay to have a hissy fit and just stop work and rebel against authorities whenever you don't agree with something? I have worked for more than 20 years and on occasion have disagreed on issues of employment and pay but never felt the need to just walk off the job! I don't understand why private schools and catholic schools never do it, is it because they get paid more I wonder?"

Nicole - a primary school teacher currently on leave to have her first baby - added: "Catholic school teachers don't get paid more. I've worked in the catholic system for 13 years and although in that time there have been a couple of strikes organised that catholic schools participated in, I have never. I figure that we belong to a union. It is a part of the role of that union to negotiate conditions on behalf of it's members. If it can't do that then we should be looking closer at the effectiveness (or lack of) of that union.

Veronica replies: "Yeah I thought that was the case Nicole. At the end of the day I think children and families are the ones that suffer. Glad I pulled mine out of the public system for many reasons and this was just one of them."

Another teacher - primary school teacher Elizabeth weighs in: "The strike that teachers are taking part in today, is all about fighting for the rights of the children we teach. The government has chosen to introduce new "initiatives"that will directly affect the quality of education that your children will receive. We have placed on hold our wage negotiations in favour of fighting to guarantee lower class sizes, fairness for students with disabilities and making sure we have qualified teachers in all classes. We understand parents frustrations when we choose to stop work. We do not do this lightly!"

Fabiana, a mother of a 21 year old and a 19 year old said: "Well when my boys were at school , it used to shit me big time having to organise baby sitters etc. But now that they are no longer at school I really don't care for me it is a bonus less traffic on the roads LOL... One thing that does not make sense is that the O'farrell govt was voted in by the majority of the people, teachers and parents alike so what is everyone getting upset about, not just teachers but everyone they voted him in, They wanted him he was the best thing for the state and for them. So I say get over it and get on with it. It is what it is and striking and getting angry is not going to change anything. Well that is my view

Nicole, the teacher, adds: "Lets face it-No teacher teaches for the Money. No amount of striking is going to change that. The amount of liability that teachers face is so out if balance with the remuneration which is why the education system loses it's best teachers. Whilst I advocate for individual teacher accountability, the details of liability need to be readdressed. The conditions that Elizabeth refers to also need to be addressed so that the needs of every student can be better met."

says Veronica: "I agree Fabiana....we as voters have the power to make change and when we elect leaders whether it be state or federal govt we become accountable. Striking doesn't fix things.....if we don't like what the government is doing than we have the power to change it at the next elections. Unfortunately as humans we will NEVER be 100% happy with alot of stuff in our communities, states, countries but getting angry doesn't have positive outcomes. I believe as an individual in an organisation such as hospitals, schools & employment we can all make a difference in others lives whether they be children, adults whatever without having to change policies or get angry with the government."

Nicole adds: " Teachers in the state school system are under huge pressures to do admininstration, mark books, prepare interesting lessons, stand in front of a class of kids who have their headphones in, their phones on, playing games on their laptops and they are not allowed to do anything about it. Prior to unions our kids would be working down coalmines 12 hours a day so lets stop bagging them - they've virtually had most of their powers taken away anyway."

Veronica adds: "But how are they any different to any other schools?? this happens in most other schools as well and they also have to abide by law and policies in most cases but they don't strike. I am a nurse and saw what went on with the nurse's strikes where 'some' not all of them walked out of the job in order to get more nurses for every patient...yes it worked BUT the difference here was that there were still nurses back in the hospitals caring for patients. They didnt just abandon hospitals and patients altogether, only some of them walked out. Why can't the same happen with teachers? instead of disrupting childrens and parents lives as they do on what seems like a monthly/two monthly basis."

Karina, also a teacher, weighs in: "I work in the private school system and my kids are in private schools but I am with you state teachers all way!... It's about the kids..... that's way days like these are necessary!"

Adds Nicole: "There are so many issues that need open discussion. Striking really is just one small issue. Unfortunately those who are not in the education system (which includes our ministers) remain unaware. Whatever you can do to bring these to open discussion can only be beneficial."

Says Fabiana: "Look I really don't get it, according to the paper this is why the strike is on "Teachers are striking because the state government is refusing to change its position on its Local Schools Local Decisions policy, which gives principals the power to control 70 per cent of a school's budget and hire up to half of its staff." What is wrong with this? don't universities work like this? and catholic schools?"

Adds Veronica: "I agree Fabiana, which is why they are not a private school where the principal has most of the control with parents direction. I don't get it either."

Sandra, about to graduate as a primary school teacher, adds: "Giving the power to the principals helps get rid of dead wood teachers. In the catholic or private system majority of teachers are on yearly contracts therefore if they are not performing they go."

Elizabeth: "Private and catholic school parents pay to attend their school. Public schools rely on funding from the government to pay staff as well as resource the school. There are no guarantees from the government to fund our schools both in staff and support for students past 2014. What happens to our students when they cut funding and the principal can't afford to pay staff wages or more importantly meet the needs of the students. Especially those students with special needs. They have already closed support classes for language disorders and reading support classes. They have gotten rid of behaviour support teachers and district learning support teachers. It is now up to 1 single classroom teacher to meet the individual learning and emotional issues of up to 30 or more students. The governments reply to this is that classroom teachers will have on line training to deal with these issues. On line training that happens out of school hours. We need to look at England's and Americas school systems. How successful are they. This is the way that our government is moving to cost cut. What is the price of a quality education?"

Nicole: "Catholic school education relies heavily upon government funding just as the public system does. Elizabeth refers to some of the myriad of issues facing schools and teachers which will not be resolved by ministers who are themselves unaware and unknowledgable of the industry. One issue is for principals to have greater control over the staffing of their schools which would allow them to use the same funding in creative ways to better suit the specific needs of their school. At the moment the arrangement of staffing is all prescribed."

Veronica: "Damn FB, I am supposed to be folding clothes and watching a movie LOL......I agree that there obviously issues that need to be resolved but there has to be a better way to get the message across other than striking. Can't parents and teachers sign petitions, send letters to local government, as well as state govt leaders etc and if they are going to strike not have the whole school do a dissapearing act??? I'm all for supporting childrens education and claiming back resources lost. I also hear what teachers are saying how its for the benefit of the children but the constant striking and putting children and parents out constantly is having the same effect as the lack of resources, benefits, control they are fighting for. Ok....gotta go now.........

Elizabeth: "I agree with the not striking issue. No teacher wants to strike. Not only do we upset the community of parents that we work with but we also forgo our wage for the day. This issues has been worked on for nearly a year. We have signed petitions, visited our local member with a delegation of teachers and been in constant talks with the government. Nothing has gotten the guarantees that we need re class sizes, funding and staffing. We know that there are going to be changes that we don't agree with. That's life in any job. But these changes should not affect the quality of education that kids are getting. That's what we want the government to sign off on.

Fabiana: "Just wondering have any of you looked back at your old school photos from primary school? Only those that attended public schools? Well I did and I had over 30 kids in each of my classes. Plus there was only 1 Teacher in all my classes, no support teacher no district learning, wonder how the teachers coped and I know we had some rowdy kids in my class these days they would be considered to have ADHD or something or other."

Adds Fabiana: "Sorry Elizabeth just a question, if the government are not guaranteeing funding after 2014 would that mean that they need to privatise or sell off the public schools first? Or do you mean they are not guaranteeing the amount of funds that the schools are being allocated? Do the education department forecast the number of people of in the area with school children using the data from the local councils to understand the needs for those schools and then allocate a percentage of their school allocation budget or do all schools get the same funding? not sure how it works I know that we paid a over $400 a year for my son in high school that was just school fees not books etc for a "free public schooling" wondering how it works?"

Answers Elizabeth: "There has been no mention of privatising schools yet. They are just not guaranteeing they same amount of funding after 2014. As to how they work out funding, at the moment staffing of schools is based around student numbers. That's why with these changes that may no longer happen. Less money for principals may mean employing less teachers despite the number of students. Funding for kids with special needs used to be based on individual students. Now if a student has mental health issues or asperges they no longer qualify for individual funding. Schools are given a specific amount of flexible funding that is to be spent meeting the needs of these students as well as those with language disorders and mild intellectual disabilities. How this is work out we are not sure and the gover nment refuses to release the costings. Hope this answers your question.

• Weighs in Genevieve: "Have to agree with nsw strike. If principals get full power the kids will.suffer especially for extra Circular activities and potty any child with additional needs."
  
  Adds Claudia, mum of two: " I've come into this late, but more control to principals equates more corruption. Nepotism and favouritism will be king. Qualifications won't matter. It will be who you know, not what you know. It is almost impossible to get a parent in the budget committee as it is, although the bylaws of the P&C require for one to be appointed. Giving the one person in the school 70% of the power only spells disaster. At the moment, to increase income, some principals are allowing an extraordinary number of kindy enrolments. This number is not maintained throughout the 5 remaining yrs. Resources all go to the lower classes to increase revenue. Tell me what level of education the higher yrs can expect , if resources are mostly spent on the lower yrs. In an ideal world, the principal would share it equally. Somehow I dont think that will be the case.
  
  Adds Maria: "Striking is the only way to make your viewpoint heard. A Union is the head but the neck of the union is it's members, and that's where the strength lies."