Federal Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland MP, this week paid tribute to the great work being done in Catholic schools in our local area during Catholic Schools Week. 

“I was privileged to be able to tour St Anthony’s Primary School in Girraween and the Mary Immaculate Primary School in Quakers Hill. Both are much more than great schools, they are communities of families, teachers and students,” Ms Rowland said.

“Catholic Schools Week is a reminder of the vital role Catholic schools play in our education system. Not only do they teach around 20 per cent of Australian students, they serve the communities around them as well.

“I’ve always believed that education is the great enabler, and that our schools should be given all the help they need to give our kids the best possible start in life.

“Education is always the number one issue families raise with me across Greenway. As one of the youngest electorates in Australia, local residents understand that properly funded schools are vital for the continued success of our local community.

“That's why Labor established and funded a needs-based funding model for all schools, including Catholic schools.

“Despite promising to match our commitment dollar for dollar in 2013, the Turnbull Government is cutting $30 billion from schools – that’s like sacking one in seven teachers. Such harsh cuts will hurt every single child, in every single school in Greenway, and across the country.

“Only Labor understands the importance of properly funding schools like St Anthony’s and Mary Immaculate so they continue to be the best they can be,” Ms Rowland said.