St Bernadette's student Joshua Gracie and principal Leanne Nettleton
---
Local Catholic schools in Sydney's west took a united stance last week, on Sign the Petition Day, against the NSW government's plan to cut $1.7 billion from NSW school funding, reports the Hills Shire Times.
Organised by the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, the initiative saw thousands of names added to an online petition.
St Bernadette's Primary School at Castle Hill made the most of the large crowd of parents attending its end-of-year assembly.
iPads bearing the petition were passed around the audience while parents were also encouraged to use their smartphones to sign up on the spot.
"It is really important that we speak out against this decision. The state government should be exploring ways to increase funding, not decrease invest-ment in our children's future," principal Leanne Nettleton said.
Mother-of-four Marian Dodd was one parent who signed the petition on the day and said she was concerned the cutbacks would result in increased fees.
"Education is so important - it seems crazy that the state government is making cuts in this area,'' she said.
On December 11, more than 150 parents signed the petition either on paper or online at Our Lady of the Angels at Kellyville, with principal Eva La Rocca saying it was a big issue for the school and the Catholic education community.
FULL STORY Catholic schools fight funding cuts on Sign The Petition Day (Hills Shire Times)