By XAVIER SMERDON
THE lives of Wyndham’s most disadvantaged children could become even harder if the Federal Government scraps vital family bonuses, a Wyndham Vale school principal has said.
Moira Findlay does not shy away from the fact many of the students that study at her school are from underprivileged backgrounds.
“More than 50 per cent of our parents have health care cards,” Ms Findlay told Star.
“We do have a high level of disadvantage, significantly higher than other schools in the area.”
But the Iramoo Primary School Principle said these facts should not stop her students from receiving the best education possible.
“Just because they are disadvantaged doesn’t mean these kids don’t deserve the best education possible. Quite the opposite in fact,” she said.
“I have a very strong view that the kids need to leave their disadvantage at the front gate.”
But with the Abbott Government introducing legislation to scrap the SchoolKids Bonus, a twice annual payment of up $410 for primary school students and $820 for secondary school children, Member for Lalor and former school principle, Joanne Ryan, said up to 22,000 local students could be worse off.
“As a former teacher and principal, I know how important this money is to local families to cover the costs of books, uniforms and excursions,” Ms Ryan said.
“If Tony Abbott’s legislation passes the Senate, the January SkoolKids bonus will be their last, meaning every one of these local families will be worse off.”
Ms Findlay said that most of the families of the students that attend her public school could not afford to lose the bonus.
“We even schedule our school camps around when we know the families will be receiving their SchoolKids Bonus,” she said.
“This is about children who are vulnerable and it would be terrible to disadvantage them further.”
Star contacted the Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne for comment but he did not respond before deadline.
