Latest news with #Mountford
The Age
11-08-2025
- Business
- The Age
Where do Brisbane's richest families send their kids? Search your school here
Loading ISQ's report – drawing on answers from more than 3300 parents at independent schools across the state – showed a quarter chose a school before their child was born. Three-quarters also said the schools' appearance influenced their decision, either 'wholly or to a significant degree'. 'These insights show that parents are deeply engaged in the school selection process,' Mountford said. 'They're looking for schools that reflect their values and offer the best possible environment for their child to thrive.' St Margaret's Anglican Girls School principal Ros Curtis AM said the inner-city school – whose families draw in a median household income of $293,000 – stood out for its single-sex learning environment, which included many boarders. She said 20 per cent of the student body boarded, which meant many came from outside Brisbane or overseas. Families at St Margaret's Anglican Girls School had a median household income of $293,000. Credit: St Margaret's Anglican Girls School 'This provides a wonderful richness to our suburban school and a strong community,' Curtis said. 'When prospective families visit the campus, they can tangibly feel that warm sense of community as they meet students, staff and parents, and they comment on it.' Curtis said the school also regularly ran fundraising events for charity, as well as school infrastructure and scholarship funds, for students from various backgrounds. 'The school community understands that school fees do not cover all costs associated with a school – particularly when looking towards major development projects,' she said. 'The goal for the school fundraising is always about participation – those who can give more do, but all amounts large and small are gratefully accepted.' More than four in five parents surveyed by the ISQ said fees were covered by the family's income, while 6 per cent relied partially or wholly on scholarships and bursaries. The research also found that one in five students at independent schools came from families in the lowest two income brackets – with a dual income of less than $104,000 a year. While sending a year 12 student to Gregory Terrace will cost a family $24,202 in 2025, the remaining five schools with the highest-earning parents will put families out by at least $30,000 for a child's final year of school. St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace is a short walk from Brisbane Girls Grammar and Brisbane Grammar School. Credit: Brisbane Times Catholic schools made up 10 of Brisbane's 20 private schools with the highest-earning parents. Some, but not all, are run by Brisbane Catholic Education, which is controlled by the Brisbane Archdiocese. BCE said its schools were deeply connected with local communities, and provided quality teaching and learning outcomes for students of all backgrounds. Loading '[BCE's] are a mixture of primary, secondary and prep to year 12 schools in metropolitan, regional and rural locations,' it said. But education economist and policy consultant Adam Rorris said current funding models had left parents with less choice when it came to schooling options, as public schools struggled to secure funds. 'By governments' own metrics, public schools are significantly underfunded,' Rorris said. 'Those same governments – state and federal – have sufficient money to overfund private schools that oftentimes are catering to far wealthier families, and children that have – relative to many public schools families – better resources.' Rorris said the amount of funding that private schools received – dictated by the federal government's schooling resource standard – varied between schools, but often equated to millions for private schools across their full student body. He said the current state and federal funding models had created 'unfair funding systems as a legacy for schools'. 'When we talk about the schooling resource standard, that was not about turning out violinists and turning out physicists,' Rorris said. 'That was the cost, on average, that would be required for schools to produce students who were functionally numerate and functionally literate and ought to be on the path to that at grade 3, grade 5, grade 7, and grade 9 – that's what it was based on.' Start the day with a summary of the day's most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Sydney Morning Herald
11-08-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Where do Brisbane's richest families send their kids? Search your school here
Loading ISQ's report – drawing on answers from more than 3300 parents at independent schools across the state – showed a quarter chose a school before their child was born. Three-quarters also said the schools' appearance influenced their decision, either 'wholly or to a significant degree'. 'These insights show that parents are deeply engaged in the school selection process,' Mountford said. 'They're looking for schools that reflect their values and offer the best possible environment for their child to thrive.' St Margaret's Anglican Girls School principal Ros Curtis AM said the inner-city school – whose families draw in a median household income of $293,000 – stood out for its single-sex learning environment, which included many boarders. She said 20 per cent of the student body boarded, which meant many came from outside Brisbane or overseas. Families at St Margaret's Anglican Girls School had a median household income of $293,000. Credit: St Margaret's Anglican Girls School 'This provides a wonderful richness to our suburban school and a strong community,' Curtis said. 'When prospective families visit the campus, they can tangibly feel that warm sense of community as they meet students, staff and parents, and they comment on it.' Curtis said the school also regularly ran fundraising events for charity, as well as school infrastructure and scholarship funds, for students from various backgrounds. 'The school community understands that school fees do not cover all costs associated with a school – particularly when looking towards major development projects,' she said. 'The goal for the school fundraising is always about participation – those who can give more do, but all amounts large and small are gratefully accepted.' More than four in five parents surveyed by the ISQ said fees were covered by the family's income, while 6 per cent relied partially or wholly on scholarships and bursaries. The research also found that one in five students at independent schools came from families in the lowest two income brackets – with a dual income of less than $104,000 a year. While sending a year 12 student to Gregory Terrace will cost a family $24,202 in 2025, the remaining five schools with the highest-earning parents will put families out by at least $30,000 for a child's final year of school. St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace is a short walk from Brisbane Girls Grammar and Brisbane Grammar School. Credit: Brisbane Times Catholic schools made up 10 of Brisbane's 20 private schools with the highest-earning parents. Some, but not all, are run by Brisbane Catholic Education, which is controlled by the Brisbane Archdiocese. BCE said its schools were deeply connected with local communities, and provided quality teaching and learning outcomes for students of all backgrounds. Loading '[BCE's] are a mixture of primary, secondary and prep to year 12 schools in metropolitan, regional and rural locations,' it said. But education economist and policy consultant Adam Rorris said current funding models had left parents with less choice when it came to schooling options, as public schools struggled to secure funds. 'By governments' own metrics, public schools are significantly underfunded,' Rorris said. 'Those same governments – state and federal – have sufficient money to overfund private schools that oftentimes are catering to far wealthier families, and children that have – relative to many public schools families – better resources.' Rorris said the amount of funding that private schools received – dictated by the federal government's schooling resource standard – varied between schools, but often equated to millions for private schools across their full student body. He said the current state and federal funding models had created 'unfair funding systems as a legacy for schools'. 'When we talk about the schooling resource standard, that was not about turning out violinists and turning out physicists,' Rorris said. 'That was the cost, on average, that would be required for schools to produce students who were functionally numerate and functionally literate and ought to be on the path to that at grade 3, grade 5, grade 7, and grade 9 – that's what it was based on.' Start the day with a summary of the day's most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
The Independent
24-02-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
This is the best way to dry your clothes without a tumble dryer
When you've got a full load of wet washing to dry, the dull and damp British winter weather can cause a real headache. Many homeowners resort to using 'energy thirsty' tumble dryers which can cost around £170 a year to run, depending on the model, load size and price of energy, the Energy Saving Trust says. Cleaning expert Sarah Dempsey says it is a cost that can easily be reduced. 'Skip the dryer and embrace the natural drying power of the sun and air to save money on your energy bills, while also extending the life of your clothes,' she advises. 'Air drying is a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to using a dryer – it saves money on energy bills, extends the lifespan of clothes by avoiding the harsh heat and tumbling action, and freshens clothes with natural scent.' Here are tips for the best ways to dry clothes without using an energy-gobbling tumble dryer: 1. Dry outdoors Drying your clothes on the washing line outdoors is the fastest and most effective way of drying your clothes, says Dempsey, although she concedes: 'This method may not always be an option, especially during the winter months.' While heat can, of course, help with drying, and sunlight is the most effective way to evaporate moisture from your clothes, she says good airflow is equally important. 'High humidity can slow drying times, so your clothes may dry faster on a cold, dry day than on a hot, humid day. Wind can help to further speed up drying times, and help remove wrinkles.' Retractable clothes lines are a good option as they can be pulled back when not in use, she suggests. And Mountford adds: 'If you have outdoor space to dry your clothes then as soon as the rain stops, make the most of it and hang that laundry out to dry as soon as possible. A gentle breeze is what will effectively dry your clothes, so don't be put off drying outdoors even if it might not be bright, sunny weather.' 2. Use a heated airer Both experts say heated airers are one of the best and cheapest ways to dry clothes indoors, costing from around £40 for a small version. Mountford says: 'Last year I finally decided to invest in a heated airer and it has honestly transformed my laundry routine – I don't know why I didn't get one sooner! It costs pence to run and dries clothes in a few hours, making it both practical and economical without taking up lots of space. 'This is a much more effective way to dry clothes than hanging them on the radiators to dry, which prevents them from heating your rooms properly.' And Dempsey agrees: 'During the winter especially, a heated clothes airer is the most efficient option. But make sure to space the clothes at least an inch apart and turn them occasionally for even drying – this will give you the best results.' 3. Try a wall-mounted drying rack These use no energy at all as clothes are dried by the ambient warmth in your home, and they can cost as little as £13.99 for a small rack. Dempsey points out that they can help you save floor space, and fold away for easy storage. 4. Use faster drying hacks There are little tricks you can use to help speed up laundry drying, including extracting excess water with an extra spin cycle at the end of the wash. 'It's worth adding an additional spin cycle to remove as much moisture from the laundry as possible before drying,' advises Mountford. As well as adding an extra spin cycle, Dempsey suggests shaking clothes well after removing them from the washing machine for better aeration, putting delicate items on hangers to allow more clothes to dry at once and prevent wrinkles, and hanging laundry immediately after washing to prevent odours and mould growth. 5. Use a radiator rack instead of direct radiator drying Drying clothes on a radiator can increase the humidity and can then lead to dampness and mould growth, which could result in health problems for all the family, warns Dempsey. 'Radiator drying can significantly increase your energy bills,' she says. 'But if you must use a radiator to dry your clothes, use a radiator drying rack with a dehumidifier to help control the moisture levels.' 6. Add a dehumidifier It's a good idea to position your wet clothes near an open window or in an otherwise well-ventilated area, and use a dehumidifier to remove any excess moisture from the air, says Dempsey. 'This is especially important during winter when it may not be possible to have the windows open for long periods,' she says. 'Place your dehumidifier close to your clothes airer, and this will help dry the clothes more quickly.'
The Independent
29-01-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Here's the best way to dry laundry without a tumble dryer
When you've got a full load of wet washing to dry, the dull and damp British winter weather can cause a real headache. Many homeowners resort to using 'energy thirsty' tumble dryers which can cost around £170 a year to run, depending on the model, load size and price of energy, the Energy Saving Trust says. Cleaning expert Sarah Dempsey says it is a cost that can easily be reduced. 'Skip the dryer and embrace the natural drying power of the sun and air to save money on your energy bills, while also extending the life of your clothes,' she advises. 'Air drying is a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to using a dryer – it saves money on energy bills, extends the lifespan of clothes by avoiding the harsh heat and tumbling action, and freshens clothes with natural scent.' Here are tips for the best ways to dry clothes without using an energy-gobbling tumble dryer: 1. Dry outdoors Drying your clothes on the washing line outdoors is the fastest and most effective way of drying your clothes, says Dempsey, although she concedes: 'This method may not always be an option, especially during the winter months.' While heat can, of course, help with drying, and sunlight is the most effective way to evaporate moisture from your clothes, she says good airflow is equally important. 'High humidity can slow drying times, so your clothes may dry faster on a cold, dry day than on a hot, humid day. Wind can help to further speed up drying times, and help remove wrinkles.' Retractable clothes lines are a good option as they can be pulled back when not in use, she suggests. And Mountford adds: 'If you have outdoor space to dry your clothes then as soon as the rain stops, make the most of it and hang that laundry out to dry as soon as possible. A gentle breeze is what will effectively dry your clothes, so don't be put off drying outdoors even if it might not be bright, sunny weather.' 2. Use a heated airer Both experts say heated airers are one of the best and cheapest ways to dry clothes indoors, costing from around £40 for a small version. Mountford says: 'Last year I finally decided to invest in a heated airer and it has honestly transformed my laundry routine – I don't know why I didn't get one sooner! It costs pence to run and dries clothes in a few hours, making it both practical and economical without taking up lots of space. 'This is a much more effective way to dry clothes than hanging them on the radiators to dry, which prevents them from heating your rooms properly.' And Dempsey agrees: 'During the winter especially, a heated clothes airer is the most efficient option. But make sure to space the clothes at least an inch apart and turn them occasionally for even drying – this will give you the best results.' 3. Try a wall-mounted drying rack These use no energy at all as clothes are dried by the ambient warmth in your home, and they can cost as little as £13.99 for a small rack. Dempsey points out that they can help you save floor space, and fold away for easy storage. 4. Use faster drying hacks There are little tricks you can use to help speed up laundry drying, including extracting excess water with an extra spin cycle at the end of the wash. 'It's worth adding an additional spin cycle to remove as much moisture from the laundry as possible before drying,' advises Mountford. As well as adding an extra spin cycle, Dempsey suggests shaking clothes well after removing them from the washing machine for better aeration, putting delicate items on hangers to allow more clothes to dry at once and prevent wrinkles, and hanging laundry immediately after washing to prevent odours and mould growth. 5. Use a radiator rack instead of direct radiator drying Drying clothes on a radiator can increase the humidity and can then lead to dampness and mould growth, which could result in health problems for all the family, warns Dempsey. 'Radiator drying can significantly increase your energy bills,' she says. 'But if you must use a radiator to dry your clothes, use a radiator drying rack with a dehumidifier to help control the moisture levels.' 6. Add a dehumidifier It's a good idea to position your wet clothes near an open window or in an otherwise well-ventilated area, and use a dehumidifier to remove any excess moisture from the air, says Dempsey. 'This is especially important during winter when it may not be possible to have the windows open for long periods,' she says. 'Place your dehumidifier close to your clothes airer, and this will help dry the clothes more quickly.'
