Fees & Funding
Funds for our school are derived from three main sources.
GOVERNMENTS
Funding from both State and Federal Governments is paid to our Diocesan Catholic Education Office in Rockhampton. This office then distributes funds to schools. For example all salaries, both teacher and ancillaries are paid by our Diocesan Office.
GOVERNMENTS
Funding from both State and Federal Governments is paid to our Diocesan Catholic Education Office in Rockhampton. This office then distributes funds to schools. For example all salaries, both teacher and ancillaries are paid by our Diocesan Office.
PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS
Government contributions to Catholic Schools are significantly less than the contributions made to State Schools. As a result, Catholic Schools must charge fees to make up for the funding shortfall.
School fees can be a sensitive topic in some school communities. However, while current government funding models continue, at both State and Federal levels, fees are a vital part of Catholic Education.
Many Catholic schools were founded on the tradition of education for the poor. I support the equity of this model and will always listen to and work with families who have fallen on hard times. Families who are experiencing severe financial difficulty due to whatever reason can follow a process and apply for a concession.
Equity is also includes ensuring that those who do pay fees and make payment a priority should not have their child’s education disadvantaged by those who choose not to make paying fees a priority.
With everyone paying fees or making the best contribution to paying fees that they can, resources can continually be updated, professional development of teachers can continue, and facilities can be first rate.
Equity is providing what’s promised, equity is fair contributions from all, equity is ensuring that when the school is approached and kept informed, we can assist families when necessary.
Government contributions to Catholic Schools are significantly less than the contributions made to State Schools. As a result, Catholic Schools must charge fees to make up for the funding shortfall.
- Tuition Fees, a percentage of which is kept by our school.
- All Purpose Levy
- Parents’ & Friends’ Levies: State and School
- Technology Levy
- School Building Fund
- Specific Fundraising
School fees can be a sensitive topic in some school communities. However, while current government funding models continue, at both State and Federal levels, fees are a vital part of Catholic Education.
Many Catholic schools were founded on the tradition of education for the poor. I support the equity of this model and will always listen to and work with families who have fallen on hard times. Families who are experiencing severe financial difficulty due to whatever reason can follow a process and apply for a concession.
Equity is also includes ensuring that those who do pay fees and make payment a priority should not have their child’s education disadvantaged by those who choose not to make paying fees a priority.
With everyone paying fees or making the best contribution to paying fees that they can, resources can continually be updated, professional development of teachers can continue, and facilities can be first rate.
Equity is providing what’s promised, equity is fair contributions from all, equity is ensuring that when the school is approached and kept informed, we can assist families when necessary.
SCHOOL FEE COSTING
Diocesan School Fees and Building Fund are the same for all schools throughout the diocese. Other levies may vary among schools. For families with children in primary and secondary systemic schools, there is consideration for fee discounts. Secondary tuition fee schedules are available from the office.
Diocesan School Fees and Building Fund are the same for all schools throughout the diocese. Other levies may vary among schools. For families with children in primary and secondary systemic schools, there is consideration for fee discounts. Secondary tuition fee schedules are available from the office.
SCHOOL ACCOUNTS
Accounts for term fees are sent out to parents early in each term and are payable within thirty days. (NOTE: Parents may deduct the $10 per family Administration Levy from the school account when accounts are paid in full, on or before the due date). Parents who wish to arrange to pay fees by weekly or monthly instalments are welcome to contact the school to arrange for this facility.
Payments of accounts may be made by BPAY, cheque, cash, credit card, through internet banking or direct debit. School fees, along with any other monies sent to the school, should be placed in school payment envelopes which are provided by the school. Receipts are usually issued within 48 hours and given to students to take home.
Accounts for term fees are sent out to parents early in each term and are payable within thirty days. (NOTE: Parents may deduct the $10 per family Administration Levy from the school account when accounts are paid in full, on or before the due date). Parents who wish to arrange to pay fees by weekly or monthly instalments are welcome to contact the school to arrange for this facility.
Payments of accounts may be made by BPAY, cheque, cash, credit card, through internet banking or direct debit. School fees, along with any other monies sent to the school, should be placed in school payment envelopes which are provided by the school. Receipts are usually issued within 48 hours and given to students to take home.
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
St John’s has a genuine commitment to providing a Catholic education for all of our students as stated in our Enrolment Policy and it is appreciated that many families sacrifice a great deal to keep their children at Catholic schools. In the case of financial hardship, please contact the principal, who in confidence will negotiate appropriate concessions with you. As fees and levies continue to rise, parents are encouraged to accept this offer if needed.
The Diocesan Policy states:
“No students should be excluded from a Catholic school because of the inability of their parents to pay the prescribed fee - in whole or in part.” Total or partial exemption from the payment of fees is available on application to the Principal to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.
St John’s has a genuine commitment to providing a Catholic education for all of our students as stated in our Enrolment Policy and it is appreciated that many families sacrifice a great deal to keep their children at Catholic schools. In the case of financial hardship, please contact the principal, who in confidence will negotiate appropriate concessions with you. As fees and levies continue to rise, parents are encouraged to accept this offer if needed.
The Diocesan Policy states:
“No students should be excluded from a Catholic school because of the inability of their parents to pay the prescribed fee - in whole or in part.” Total or partial exemption from the payment of fees is available on application to the Principal to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.
FUNDING BUILDING COSTS AND SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE
Families will appreciate that there is a substantial cost to the Diocese in maintaining and developing the existing school buildings. It is necessary to raise capital income to service related debt or to otherwise support capital works. A differential approach is in place to account for capital income as shown below.
Families will appreciate that there is a substantial cost to the Diocese in maintaining and developing the existing school buildings. It is necessary to raise capital income to service related debt or to otherwise support capital works. A differential approach is in place to account for capital income as shown below.
DIOCESAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS – BUILDING LEVY
The School Building Fund (SBF) was established in 1997 in conjunction with a move away from reliance on parishes for support for capital projects and maintenance. Families were invited to make an annual donation of $300 of which the majority would be tax deductible. From 2004 the donation was increased to $320 and to $360 in 2011. Donations to the Fund were tax deductible under the Income Tax Assessment Act. As 80% of capital projects are eligible, a tax deduction of
80% is allowable.
Unfortunately, not all, but the great majority of schools have found collecting SBF donations increasingly difficult and the requirement to make up the shortfall to 85% of the collectable amount (to maintain the integrity of the SBF), has placed an unsustainable burden on school operating budgets.
Therefore in 2013, the School Building Fund donation (Primary) ($360 in 2011) was discontinued and a School Building Levy (Primary) of $340 per family was introduced. Each family will be charged a building levy of $85 per term in conjunction with normal school fee billings. As this amount forms a collectable part of school fees no tax deduction is possible.
The School Building Fund (SBF) was established in 1997 in conjunction with a move away from reliance on parishes for support for capital projects and maintenance. Families were invited to make an annual donation of $300 of which the majority would be tax deductible. From 2004 the donation was increased to $320 and to $360 in 2011. Donations to the Fund were tax deductible under the Income Tax Assessment Act. As 80% of capital projects are eligible, a tax deduction of
80% is allowable.
Unfortunately, not all, but the great majority of schools have found collecting SBF donations increasingly difficult and the requirement to make up the shortfall to 85% of the collectable amount (to maintain the integrity of the SBF), has placed an unsustainable burden on school operating budgets.
Therefore in 2013, the School Building Fund donation (Primary) ($360 in 2011) was discontinued and a School Building Levy (Primary) of $340 per family was introduced. Each family will be charged a building levy of $85 per term in conjunction with normal school fee billings. As this amount forms a collectable part of school fees no tax deduction is possible.
TECHNOLOGY LEVY
Schools may charge a Technology Capital Levy of $95 per student up to a maximum of $190 per family per year. This levy would not be included as part of the 25% as in general levies. In situations where a family has two or more children across Catholic Diocesan Primary and Secondary Schools, the priority for payment of the levy will be given to the Diocesan Primary School. The levy is to be used strictly for technology capital purposes at the school level.
Schools may charge a Technology Capital Levy of $95 per student up to a maximum of $190 per family per year. This levy would not be included as part of the 25% as in general levies. In situations where a family has two or more children across Catholic Diocesan Primary and Secondary Schools, the priority for payment of the levy will be given to the Diocesan Primary School. The levy is to be used strictly for technology capital purposes at the school level.
SCHOOL-BASED LEVIES
School-Based Levies are charges for curriculum resources, library books and printing levies. These levies are set by the School Board.
The General School Levy represents a contribution to the cost of day to day consumables in the classrooms, administration and maintenance of the school. It may also be used for particular projects approved by the Board and P & F Association. This Levy is $200 per child in 2016, usually billed as $50 on each term’s account.
The Grounds Levy represents contribution to the cost of contracted companies for landscaping, grounds maintenance and repair and as appropriate [and available] the employment of a grounds person for the school. This Levy is $80 per family in 2016, usually billed as $20 on each term’s account.
School-Based Levies are charges for curriculum resources, library books and printing levies. These levies are set by the School Board.
The General School Levy represents a contribution to the cost of day to day consumables in the classrooms, administration and maintenance of the school. It may also be used for particular projects approved by the Board and P & F Association. This Levy is $200 per child in 2016, usually billed as $50 on each term’s account.
The Grounds Levy represents contribution to the cost of contracted companies for landscaping, grounds maintenance and repair and as appropriate [and available] the employment of a grounds person for the school. This Levy is $80 per family in 2016, usually billed as $20 on each term’s account.
SPECIFIC PURPOSE CHARGES
Additional charges may apply for specific purposes e.g. travel and accommodation related to school field trips and camps, excursions and transport to swimming pools etc. These costs are additional to school based levies. In 2016, the three significant costs are:
Additional charges may apply for specific purposes e.g. travel and accommodation related to school field trips and camps, excursions and transport to swimming pools etc. These costs are additional to school based levies. In 2016, the three significant costs are:
- Swimming – approximately $50 -$60 per child
- Cultural presentations each term – between $5 and $6 per child [depending of company costs]
- Dance Fever - $35 for 10 lessons in Term Three.
PARENTS & FRIENDS LEVIES
Parents and Friends’ in consultation with their school community and Board have a P&F levy in lieu of significant fund raising [eg fete].
The P & F Levy is $120 per family per year and is directed into student support activities, with an ongoing commitment to the Library/Resource Centre, computer technology and some grounds maintenance and improvement in particular.
There is also a small fee, which is charged at the beginning of each year, to cover the P&F Federation Levy.
Parents and Friends’ in consultation with their school community and Board have a P&F levy in lieu of significant fund raising [eg fete].
The P & F Levy is $120 per family per year and is directed into student support activities, with an ongoing commitment to the Library/Resource Centre, computer technology and some grounds maintenance and improvement in particular.
There is also a small fee, which is charged at the beginning of each year, to cover the P&F Federation Levy.
STUDENT REQUISITES AND OTHER COSTS
Booklists are provided to both new and continuing families towards the end of the previous year, or at time of enrolment. It is recommended that parents buy all or some of their needs through School Packs as the quality and provision of students needs are maintained. The book packs are at a very competitive price and also return a percentage of total costs to the school. A limited number of items are ordered through the school and parents are billed as part of their first term account, e.g. the school diary, headphones for computers.
Booklists are provided to both new and continuing families towards the end of the previous year, or at time of enrolment. It is recommended that parents buy all or some of their needs through School Packs as the quality and provision of students needs are maintained. The book packs are at a very competitive price and also return a percentage of total costs to the school. A limited number of items are ordered through the school and parents are billed as part of their first term account, e.g. the school diary, headphones for computers.