Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese has welcomed Government funding for Marrickville High School and Edgeware School through the Smarter Schools National Partnerships.

The National Partnerships between the Australian Government and New South Wales education authorities will provide funding for eligible schools to take part in the Smarter Schools National Partnerships for Literacy and Numeracy and Low Socio-economic Status (SES) School Communities.

Edgeware School in Hurlstone Park is for Year 7 to 10 students who have been diagnosed with conduct disorder. Marrickville High School caters to a high number of children from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Nationally, the Australian Government has committed $1.5 billion to the Low SES School Communities National Partnership, $540 million to the National Partnership for Literacy and Numeracy and $550 million to the National Partnership for Improving Teacher Quality.

Mr Albanese said by being involved in the partnerships, these schools will have access to funding that will make a real difference to the education of their students.

“I am pleased to see both the federal and state governments investing in teacher quality and focussing on improving literacy and numeracy for all students,” Mr Albanese said.

Participating schools across the state will share in approximately $871.4 million from the Australian Government over the life of the three National Partnerships, with the New South Wales Government also providing funding.

Some key reform activities under these partnerships will include:

• Accomplished teacher positions will be awarded to select teachers who demonstrate high quality teaching, provide leadership in professional learning programs and mentor other teachers.


• Extension of the ‘Schools as Community Centres’ concept linking schools and families with government and non-government services, and encourage parents to get involved with a range of local programs for young children and their families.


• Flexible salary packages to attract high performing principals to disadvantaged schools.

More information is available at: www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/SmarterSchools