What is your donation used for?

We are really appreciative of the donations received so far this year. Historically, approximately 80% of our parents generally pay the school donation, which provides the school with  $35,000 - $40,000 in revenue. People often ask what those funds are used for. The simple answer is - to run the school. The funding received from the government is significantly less than it takes to run the school. Hence, we rely on locally-raised funds, which include school donations. School donations also contribute to reduced teacher-student ratios, which we believe has quite an impact on student achievement progress and data.

In its 2018 Budget, the Board of Trustees agreed to spend $150,000 on additional teachers to enable the lower ratios to continue, and to release Senior Leaders from teaching duties so that they can continue to work with teachers to ensure EVERY student at Amesbury School receives a high quality education.

This additional staffing is not funded by the Ministry but has to be paid for out of locally raised funds such as school donations, fundraising and business activities (hiring out our facilities etc.).

Not being constrained by Government Funding and looking for ways to significantly supplement it, means that we are able to provide very attractive and well-maintained facilities for our students and community. But the standout benefit that you, as parents, will appreciate, has to be that we are able to keep our teacher-to-student ratios significantly lower than the level at which the government funds and, therefore, lower than most other schools. We believe having lower ratios had a positive impact on the progress and achievement of students last year.

School donations of differing amounts can easily be made through the online shop. Just click on the shopping cart icon on the school website or app, then select the "School Donation" section from the home page.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Gail Greenslade, on behalf of Amesbury School Board of Trustees