Plains Producer ‘Unfairly tarnished’ B an k S A
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Wednesday February 17, 2010
STAR OF THE NORTH
Balaklava High School principal tackles learning and social data
Mark Healy
Two local schools have received a funding boost following the release of individual school performance data on the new My School website. Balaklava high and primary schools will now be part of the Smarter Schools National Partnerships after the website identified them as being literacy and numeracy and low socio-economic status school communities. It was announced last week by Federal Education Minister and Dep-
uty Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, six schools would share $600,00 from the program. But high school principal, Mark Healy, is disappointed at the perception the school’s low literacy and numeracy results led to the funding announcement, believing the school had always been eligible because of its low socio-economic status. Several local schools had previously been announced as part of the program,
including Hamley Bridge Primary School, Clare Primary School, Owen Primary School, Riverton Primary School, Two Wells Primary School, Port Wakefield Primary School, Saddleworth Primary School, Virginia Primary School, Wasleys Primary School and Horizon Christian School. Mr Healy believes the school was previously incorrectly assessed for the Smarter Schools program, and its late addition could tarnish the school’s repu-
tation. He is angered at the perception the school’s literacy and numeracy results led to the allocation of funding. “Our school certainly needs to raise its literacy and numeracy results on the equivalent of five tests over three days in May,” Mr Healy said. “But our school is much, much more than that. “Our school is unfairly tarnished by this sort of statement.” n Continued Page 6 n Education, Pages 12 – 14.
Shamus gets a hand from Capper, the Roo – and mates
SHAMUS Liptrot is all smiles as he joins Mark Ricciuto and Anthony Lamond to thank them for their support.
An impressive $15,000 was raised in Balaklava last Friday evening for Halbury cyclist Shamus Liptrot, injured in a cycling race two years ago. The fundraiser, to help Shamus’s rehabilitation, was organised by former local Anthony “Capper” Lamond, and was a sell out show. Anthony was pleased with the evening’s success, with 240 people enjoying a dinner, ABC’s Mark Philipou interviewing Crows football legend Mark Ricciuto, and an hour of comedy. This was followed by an auction and a band. Anthony said he had heard plenty of positive feedback about the event, with a highlight being Shamus’s moving speech to thank the community for its help. “I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room,” Anthony said. Several local businesses contributed to the success by donating goods and time, including Marc’s Meats, Foodland, Warehouse Matrix, Balaklava Newsagency, Andrew Lane and the Balaklava Sports Club at the bar, Geoff Spence managing sound and lighting, and individuals who donated items to auction or volunteered to help serve on the night. Anthony thanked all those who helped in any way and said his mother Gaye was also a big help before the event. The Liptrot family – Shamus and his parents Patricia and Malcolm – thank everyone involved in an advertisement in today’s classified pages.
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