Education Hardship Fund for students and staff in Northern NSW flood-affected schools

Earlier this week, the Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell announced a NSW Government funding package to support public schools (and other education and care service providers) in 7 identified Local Government Areas (LGAs) affected by the floods in the Northern Rivers, including Ballina, Byron, the Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, the Richmond Valley and Tweed.

This funding package comprises two initiatives that are designed to help flood-affected school communities recover. The first is an emergency grant payment for staff and the second is an education hardship fund for students to support their education recovery.
The Education Hardship Fund will provide $500 for each of student attending a public school in the 7 identified LGAs in the Northern Rivers. The funds will be transferred to each student’s school account and will be available for use until the end of the 2023 school year.

Parents and carers can request to use the funds for school-related activities and expenses including:

• excursions, camps, incursions
• school organised formals
• competition fees
• subject fees
• canteen purchases
• School uniforms, jerseys, subject related uniforms such as hospitality and other ancillary items.

Unused funds can be transferred for students moving to another NSW public school, including those transitioning from Year 6 to Year 7. The unused funds cannot be transferred for students moving to an Independent or Catholic school.

The funds will be available in your child’s student account over the coming weeks. Please contact your school to let them know how you would like your child’s funds to be spent. Refer to the NSW Government’s Floods financial support page for further information.

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