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Chris Bonnor

Chris Bonnor AM is a retired Australian principal, education writer, speaker and advocate. He has served as president of the NSW Secondary Principals' Council and with Bernie Shepherd is the author of Uneven Playing Field – the state of Australia’s schools, published by the Centre for Policy Development.

July 2023

  • School students on a wall

    The gutting of Gonski
    Social segregation is the biggest problem facing Australian schools. Can we balance choice and fairness?

    Tom Greenwell and Chris Bonnor
    Our dual system of schools – some public, free and inclusive, and others private, fee-charging and exclusive – is internationally unique. It doesn’t have to be like this

February 2022

  • Australia school children

    Educational inequality and a tale of two Australian schools

    In 2011, David Gonski visited two western Sydney schools and determined to reduce the gap between them. What has happened in the decade since his lauded report?

March 2018

  • Australian opposition Leader Bill Shorten during House of Representatives Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

    Labor's $250m promise to Catholic schools reveals a funding horror story

    Chris Bonnor and Lyndsay Connors
    Bill Shorten’s pledge comes as the latest in a series of deals on both sides of politics corrupting fair school funding plans

February 2018

  • Indigenous children in class at the Numbulwar school in eastern Arnhem Land.

    Most Indigenous students consigned to schools with least capacity to help

    Chris Bonnor
    Layers are being created within and between Indigenous communities, making closing the gap ever more difficult

June 2017

  • Federal Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham looks on during a visit to Upper Coomera State College, Gold Coast, Monday, May 15, 2017. Mr Birmingham discussed the Turnbull Government’s Gonski needs-based schools funding that will boost investment in Queensland schools by $2.7 billion, with Upper Coomera State College set to receive $19.8 million extra from Gonski funding. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

    We've been watching an unfolding disaster in schools for years. Gonski 2.0 could turn it around

    Chris Bonnor and Bernie Shepherd
    After analysing the My School data for five years and watching inequity in schools grow, it’s clear that the wrong decision on Gonski 2.0 might make it irreparable

May 2017

  • Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek and leader Bill Shorten at St James Catholic Primary School in Glebe.

    Catholic schools crying foul is a well-worn ritual, but funding levels can't be justified

    Chris Bonnor and Bernie Shepherd
  • Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (centre right) with fedeMalcolm Turnbull and Craig Laundy (centre left) with students at Strathfield North public school in Sydne

    Is Gonski 2.0 skilful trickery or chance to get schools funding right? Expert panel responds

    Chris Bonnor, Carmen Lawrence, Peter Goss, Meredith Peace, Jim McMorrow and Tom Bentley

January 2017

  • Private schoolgirls

    Can we really call schools private when they get so much public money?

    Chris Bonnor and Bernie Shepherd
    If a private school is defined by who pays then they are rapidly becoming public. The choice promised by a private system is an illusion

December 2016

  • 'F' for fail

    If there’s a magic bullet to fix education outcomes, it starts with equity

    Chris Bonnor and Bernie Shepherd
    Kids are disengaged, results are declining, school only works for a third of students. And in fortuitous timing, education ministers are meeting this week

September 2016

  • Malcolm Turnbull and Simon Birmingham in a classroom with kids

    The elephants in the schoolroom: what our education ministers won't confront

    Chris Bonnor and Bernie Shepherd
    The nation’s education ministers are about to sit down together to contemplate school matters, including funding. It’s a safe bet they’ll avoid the really tough issues

August 2016

  • Children sit in a classroom during a lesson

    The Naplan trap: the other side of the plateau is a long downward slope

    Chris Bonnor and Bernie Shepherd
    We won’t lift our overall achievement in Naplan until we lift the strugglers. And we won’t lift the strugglers until we properly target their schools

February 2015

  • private school

    $3.3bn going to private schools produces no better results. It could fund Gonski

    Chris Bonnor and Bernie Shepherd
    New research shows clearly that current school funding is creating and sustaining inequality. A redirection of funds could change all that
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