Campbelltown. 'Super teachers' salaries

The first "super teachers" on salaries of almost $100,000 a year have started work in public schools under a landmark performance pay deal aimed at radically lifting classroom quality. Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard claimed the performance pay scheme would "bring back the spirit to disadvantaged schools". Education chiefs expect the benefits of the pioneering program to rub off on Macquarie Fields High and on four other local schools with which it has formal ties - Macquarie Fields Public, St Andrews Public, Elizabeth Macarthur High and Leumeah High. More than 100 teachers ultimately will apply for the $98,000 positions.