Visiting Armidale Secondary College on Thursday morning, Member for New England Barnaby Joyce announced funding for 12 schools across his Electorate for everything from science equipment to the drilling of a bore.
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Armidale Secondary College received a $16,849 grant to purchase new laptop computers to assist refugee students, including more than 100 Yezidi youngsters.
College principal Carolyn Lasker said the technology would be a great resource to support their increasing numbers.
"We have 106 [refugee] students as of today. We started in 2018 with two. In under two years we've added 104, so the growth's been extraordinary, " she said.
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"The support that's being made to these kids is outstanding. The staffing ration to students is well reduced.
"The number of support staff also ensures the kids are progressing really beautifully in terms of their English language acquisition and we're delighted."
Ms Lasker said planning was in place for the refugee students to have just as good, if not better, facilities at the new campus when the school moves in 2021.
"It's still in the planning stage in terms of how that will look, but certainly the support structures put around them won't change at all," she said.
"We certainly hope there will be room for more students."
Mr Joyce said he wanted to show his admiration for the teachers tackling the massive task with more than 100 Yezidis students.
"Realising, that for many of them, they're learning English while they are trying to be educated means that we have really pushed ourselves to the limit and are achieving great results," he said.
"Obviously for the Yezidis community in general it is vitally important that we have students that have the capacity to help their families.
"To see students now progressing into the main classrooms shows the success in this."
He said it sometimes came down to simple issues.
"Like if a person goes to a doctor and being able to translate what sort of pain the person is feeling," Mr Joyce said.
"And then translate what they need to do from the doctor to the parent, or in encounters with the law, to know what's legal and what's illegal, what's a danger, what they need to react to.
"Going into a shop - finding simple things in a shop. These things are all important."
Mr Joyce thanked the people of Armidale for being so generous.
"Armidale has shown itself throughout the nation as being big enough to do this and take it in it's stride - that's the sort of place Armidale is."
Funding also went to:
- St Joseph's School, Uralla received $18,243 to rplace old light fittings with LED lighting and replace an old heater with reverse cycle air-conditioning.
- St Mary of the Angels Primary School, Guyra received 20,000 to drill a bore to provide water for a green space for students and drought-proof the school for future water restrictions.
- O'Connor Catholic College, Armidale was granted $6,500 to purchase science investigation equipment including microscopes.
- Macintyre High School received $15,358 for Special Education Technology involving the incorporation of an interactive CommBox in Special Education classrooms.
- The Armidale Waldorf school received 20,000 for an Irrigation Water Tank Project involving the extension of drinking water collection and self-sufficiency plan.
- Tenterfield High School received $17,309 for its THS Aboriginal Performing Arts Project which includes performance and video production workshops for Aboriginal students.
- Delungra Public School recieved $15,241 for Library Refurbishment a new interior makeover including new shelving and furniture to enable better access and engagement.
Other recipients were Peel High School, Tamworth - $20,000 for a playground upgrade, Werris Creek Public School - 20,000 for an upgrade of interactive technology, Duri Public School - $18,000 to establish outdoor community kitchen and Bendemeer Public School - $12,500 for paddock to plate kitchen installation.
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