Public schools across the region celebrated Public Education Day on Thursday, many using the celebration to push for Gonski funding reforms.
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Barrack Heights Public School staff prepared a sausage sizzle and special assembly to show parents how they've utilised their funding, which is guaranteed for four years.
Staff also asked mums and dads to "have conversations" about the need for the federal government to commit to the final two years of the Gonski model.
The school's principal, Sarah Rudling, said parents did not often come into the school for events and staff wanted to use the opportunity to help them understand how the Gonski funding gives kids opportunities that many would otherwise go without.
"We're just lowly school teachers trying to do our best [for the students]," she said.
"Everybody's vote counts and we need to put some pressure on [the government]."
Ms Rudling said funding was vital for their school, especially as they had a large proportion of indigenous children, children with special needs and disabilities, and many from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Aboriginal elder Aunty Patty Roberts also spoke at the assembly. "[Funded programs] help the children ... and this school, I've been at many years - [it] has come a long way today from then," she said.