Applying for priority funding

Both campuses of Brisbane Water Secondary College have made applications to be included in the Priority Schools Funding Program for the four-year cycle from the beginning of 2005.

"If either campus is successful, or hopefully both, this will mean additional staffing and substantial additional funding for the college which will enable more programs to be provided for students," said principal Mr Pat Lewis.

The first step in the application process is to participate in a survey of families.

This survey will take place from March 22 to 26 and will involve surveying families of Year 7 and 8 students on the Umina campus and families of Year 11 students on the Woy Woy campus.

"To give the application the maximum chance of success as many of the surveys from families must be returned as possible - ideally 100 per cent," Mr Lewis said.

"Families being presented with the survey are assured that the information they provide is completely anonymous and confidential."

The survey requires no family identification and is returned to school, and then to the Department of Education, in a sealed envelope.

"What is vital for families to remember is that return of the survey should result in substantial additional resources being available for their children," Mr Lewis said.

"Failure to return is really just throwing money away which could greatly benefit their children.

"As the college will not be the only local school making application for the program, it is possible that families may receive a survey from a primary school as well as a college campus.

"Should this occur, it is important that both surveys are completed and returned to the school which sent them home.

"In this way, all Peninsular schools who apply have the maximum chance of success," he said.

Email, March 3