SCHOOL FEES POLICY
School fees are one of the major sources of revenue which fund education in Catholic Schools.
Purposes:
To collect sufficient revenue from fees to supplement other sources of revenue which collectively will be used to run the school efficiently (and free of debt);
To establish an understanding that all families should contribute to the best of their financial ability towards the Catholic education of their children;
To act justly, with compassion, and consideration of individual family circumstances;
To establish a procedure which promotes prompt payment of fees and thus avoiding accumulated debts which may be beyond the financial capability of families;
To establish a climate in which families can discuss particular circumstances in confidence.
Guidelines:
Fees Advisory Committee
A fees advisory committee consisting of the Parish Priest, Principal, and co-opted members of the Parish Finance Committee will manage all matters relating to the collection of fees, recommending fee concessions and recovery of unpaid fees.
Payment of Fees
All families that are able to pay fees should pay the fees set and advised annually. No child of a "practising Catholic family" will be excluded from St Martin's school on the ground of inability of the family to pay fees. The Parish Priest will be the sole judge of whether a family is truly a "practising Catholic family".
School Fees are paid for ten months of the year. A family concession rate applies for families of two or more children.
It is expected that school fees will be paid by the due date. School Fee accounts are issued per term. A due date for payment will be shown on each account raised.
Fee Concessions
Fee concessions are available to assist families in need but must be sought by the family which is experiencing difficulty with payment of fees.
Families wishing to apply for a concession should apply to the Principal in the first instance for a Fee Concession Application
All fee concessions become void on 31 December of the year in which they are given. This necessitates a separate application to obtain fee concessions for the following year.
Unpaid Fees
Parents who have outstanding Fee accounts are given an opportunity to explain their circumstances and make arrangements to pay by the Fees Advisory Group. If these opportunities are disregarded, the services of a Debt Collection Agency will be used.
Accounts are issued monthly. Accounts are generated by computer and are sent out at the beginning of each month in an unsealed envelope which can be recycled for the return of your payment. If payment is sent along with a child we strongly urge payment by cheque or by completing the credit card payment authority printed on each account.
PLEASE AVOID SENDING LARGE CASH AMOUNTS WITH CHILDREN - accounts can be paid at the school office during office hours. Occasional costs for excursions, camps or Arts Council performances etc., will be included as separate items on the school fees account.
There is also provision for a Direct Debit from your nominated bank account or credit card, please contact our office staff to make arrangements for this at the beginning of the school year.