Oxley High School is a large school with 1150 students. That means 7 or 8 classes in each year from 7-10 and usually 2 Biology, Physics and chemistry classes in both 11 and 12.
At this stage I get rather embarrassed as the budget we got this year for the Science faculty was over $ 15,000. This was for the new equipment chemicals etc as well as photocopying ( which in itself is over $ 4000) new text books and chemicals etc. The writing is on the wall and I can see that it will be drastically cut for next year so I have been having fun
![Dancing \:D/](./images/smilies/eusa_dance.gif)
spending the money building up equipment whilst the money is available.
With 8 classes in each year I can need up to 3 class sets of equipment wanting to be used in the same lesson so I have been buying spring balances, lamps on stands, switches etc. to make up more than one class set.
I realise from talking with other Labbies that I am in a very fortunate position with regards to finances, most often I can just order what I need without ratifying it with the head teacher. Obviously expensive items like a new CRO are discussed with the faculty before purchase.
I hope this helps others to obtain a more realistic budget as having enough gear certainly helps our job.
Wendy