As a non-denominational, apolitical, school I have written to John Tory asking him to explain his party’s $400m proposal for faith based schools.

If there are fifty thousand kids affected by the Conservatives policy, there are another two, three or four times that number with one form or another of social or learning difficulty who continue to wait on a list while their development stands still. If nothing else, funding should be allocated where it is most needed.

Star Academy was founded over ten years ago for the very reason that too many children were divided, streamed and accordingly labeled, unfairly, by their test results. The resultant lack of confidence, low self-esteem and poor social skills had an impact on their desire to learn that many never recovered from. It doesn’t have to be that way. If funding followed the child, we would eradicate the dogma that prevents the public system utilising private expertise and our kids would benefit.

We have had hundreds of students through Star Academy, from different faiths and with different abilities – I can’t think of one who didn’t leave us better off than they arrived. That’s what education should be about. Not every child will run for Premier, but they should all start out with an equal chance. That they don’t is not all down to poor teaching – there are many talented and dedicated teachers within the public system – it’s much more to do with a one-size-fits-all structure. To succeed you need to conform. If you don’t, a vortex awaits.

Star Academy is an independent school – primarily because we couldn’t do what needed to be done from within the public system – but we will never compromise principle for our own gain. Can Mr Tory can say the same thing?’

Belinda Bernardo