Indigenous students win Prime Minister's awards

Three indigenous students from Woy Woy South Public School received Prime Minister's Naidoc medals as a result of Gonski funding, according to Senator Deborah O'Neill.

Senator O'Neill said the Turnbull Government's decision to walk away from the final two years of the six-year Gonski funding plan would leave those students at a disadvantage again.

"To prove what the reforms have achieved so far, I like to use the example of indigenous students at Woy Woy South Public School," she said.

"Principal Kim Whealey told me three of these students were getting extra attention with their writing units thanks to support-teacher funding.

"They were awarded a Prime Minister's Naidoc medal and two encouragement awards in the Patrick White Young Indigenous Writer's competition," she said.

Principal of the Central Coast Council of P and Cs, Ms Kath Styant said the association recognised the value of the funding because students' needs were high on the Central Coast.

Senator O'Neill said Mr Turnbull's regard for the importance of education was illustrated by his captain's call to walk away from responsibility for public education and leave it to the states while still funding private schools.

Media release, 12 Apr 2016

Scott Coomber, Office of Deborah O'Neill