We should be proud of public schools. The private system doesn’t necessarily give you a better education or make you a better person.

Every public school teacher stands with pride when reading Farzam Zaher’s grateful respect for his public school education (“I succeeded because of public school, not despite it”, August 9). The public system itself has increasingly offered internal options for students, with selective and specialist high schools (such as performing arts or elite sport schools) and even specialist streams within comprehensive public schools. Yet inequity from federal government funding continues to ensure inequality and broadening gaps in opportunity for students. Farzam Zaher (and others like him) are indeed shining examples arising from public schools, but there are many who need and deserve greater individual attention and funding to ensure success and to counter the inequities inherent in our communities. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer

Thanks to Farzam Zaher for his positive article about public school education. He acknowledges the assistance he received from his many dedicated public school teachers. Attending a private school doesn’t necessarily give you a better education or make you a better person. Paul Reid, Campsie

Thirty million dollars. That’s what taxpayers last year handed to the Parents for Education Foundation, which founded Redfield College (“Ex-students recall life at Opus Dei-linked Sydney school”, August 9). The charity is sitting on $111 million in assets and turned a $4.4 million surplus last year. Meanwhile, my kids’ local public school can’t afford new computers. The politicians letting this happen should be ashamed of themselves. Worse still, they are teaching a form of religious fundamentalism that is at odds with Australian values. Just another example of how our egalitarianism is being eroded by self-interested religious organisations. It’s high-time that nationalising private schools is seriously considered. A country that bankrolls indoctrination while its public schools go begging has lost the plot. Cut them off. Mark Davies, Dulwich Hill

Need versus greed

I’m sick and tired of conservatives claiming that all you need for a better life is to work harder (“The national inheritance, squandered”, August 9). I grew up in a low-income, working-class family where my parents worked hard and long every day. Like our PM, it was Labor reforms that made it possible for my parents to access health care as they aged and for me to finish high school and go to uni. Rather than creating a lifelong dependence, it was the welfare state that made it possible for me to prosper without government support. If Parnell Palme McGuinness’ shining example of rugged individualism is the USA, where inequality is at pandemic levels, give me a government committed to social justice and equity any day. John Bailey, Canterbury

Again we see Parnell Palme McGuinness describe (through her typical blue tinted glasses) the tension between governments that want to build a better society for all, and those that focus on wealth and never-ending growth. McGuinness muddles her usual views of welfare, Marxism, class warfare (both social and financial), US politics, Anthony Albanese and the Labor government as the cause of the massive inequality that faces, not just Australia, but almost every country on earth. She conveniently makes no mention that greed, consumerism or the almost complete failure of rampant, unregulated capitalism as a major contributor to these issues. It is a shame she seeks to denigrate those in our society who need our support, rather than develop solutions that deliver social and financial equity. Tony Heathwood, Kiama Downs

Hands off the Opera House

The Opera House’s outgoing CEO, Louise Herron, says “thanks, Alan [Jones]” for his blistering display of self-entitled petulance over its use back in 2018. And well might she be grateful (“As Sydney Opera House chief departs, she would like to thank … Alan Jones”, August 9). As for the Opera House itself, I hope Jones now realises how his attempt to turn it into a billboard for his and his mates’ commercial interests galvanised the public’s affection for it as “everyone’s house”, while diminishing his reputation, such as it was, so spectacularly. The lessons clearly are that quiet pushback is the best counter to haughty bluster, and shooting your mouth off can seriously injure your foot. Adrian Connelly, Springwood

Of all of Louise Herron’s fantastic achievements as CEO of the Opera House over the past 14 years, Fitz can’t help himself but highlight the Alan Jones “Everest Racing Promotion” furore in his overview of Herron’s legacy. For heaven’s sake Fitz, I love your writing but you need to get over Alan Jones and move on – it’s getting boring.
Simon Flack, Oatley

A hot mess

Dark roofs, tiny trees, black roads – now all Marsden Park needs to heat it further into the next decade is a supersized heat-generating AI data centre (“The Sydney suburbs designed to get even hotter”, August 9). Great planning NSW. Good dump America. Marilyn J Rochefort, Castle Hill

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