PARENT PAYMENT POLICY 2024
Parent Payments for 2024
Reservoir East Primary School is looking forward to another great year of teaching and learning and would like to advise you of REPS’s voluntary financial contributions for 2024.
Schools provide students with free instruction to fulfil the standard Victorian curriculum and we want to assure you that all contributions are voluntary. Nevertheless, the ongoing support of our families ensures that our school can offer the best possible education and support for our students. We want to thank you for all you support, whether that will be through fundraising or volunteering your time. This has made a huge difference to our school and the programs we can offer.
Within our school this support has allowed us to add to our classroom libraries and library book selection, create fun play spaces for our students and we hope to fundraise for a shelter for our junior playground soon.
For further information on the Department’s Parent Payments Policy please see the overview at the end of this policy.
Student classroom curriculum consumables, materials & equipment consist of things like: Scrapbooks, writing books and paper, gluesticks, masking tape, grey lead pencils, sharpeners, scissors, crayons, pens, a pencilcase, document folders, reading journals, erasers, coloured pencils, coloured textas, A4 paper, student whiteboard markers, tissues, antibacterial wipes, printing and photocopying of worksheets and learning materials and so on. (A detailed list for your child's year level is available from the office.)
Other items for specialist classes include:
· Art supplies – canvas, glitter, coloured paper, paints, tape, crayons, pastels, glue, cardboard
· Classroom - craft supplies
· Cooking – ingredients
· Mathematics – numeracy learning aides/activities
· English – book boxes
· Sports – equipment
Student Online Subscriptions include applications such as:
· Reading Eggs/Literacy and Numeracy Essential Assessment subscriptions
Non Curriculum consumables
School Sports Victoria membership, Respectful Relationships materials, First aid equipment payment.
Other Contributions
School Library - Please feel free to contribute to support book purchases and other equipment that sustain the library as a valuable resource
School Buildings - We appreciate your support for renovations, upgrades, and maintenance of school infrastructure.
Total Amount: $185.00 per student
Educational items for students to own
A list of items that the school recommends for your child to individually own and use is available from the office.
Extra-Curricular Items and Activities
REPS offers a range of items and activities that enhance or broaden the schooling experience of students and are above and beyond what the school provides in order to deliver the Curriculum. They come in the forms of excursions, incursions, camps and sporting activities. These are provided on a user-pays basis.
There is normally two incursion/excursions for each year level per year and we try to keep the costs as low as possible. For example last year the Scienceworks excursion took place at a cost of $22.00 per student.
*Extra-Curricular Items to be paid approximately 4 weeks prior to the activity.
Financial Support for Families
REPS understands that some families may experience financial difficulty and offers a range of support options, including:
· the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund
· Centrepay
· State Schools Relief
· Fortnightly or monthly payment plans for extra-curricular activities and items
Centrepay instalments are recommended for families who receive Centrelink benefits to assist with Parent Payments. Contact Bianca in the office if you would like further information about Centrepay. Centrepay is an easy, convenient and affordable way to pay off your fees throughout the year. Application forms are available at the office and can be submitted online by Bianca.
The Camps Sports & Excursion Fund (CSEF) is available for eligible families. Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. Application forms can be accessed on our website or you can request a copy from the office. Parents who currently receive the CSEF and who remain eligible will automatically have their 2024 application processed by the School.
State Schools' Relief helps with the cost of new school uniforms, shoes and other essential items for families who are facing hardship.
2024 Parent Payments are now due. If you choose a regular payment plan or Centrepay, this date will be extended, just contact the office to let us know what suits you.
For a confidential discussion about accessing these services, or if you would like to discuss alternative payment arrangements, please contact: Bianca O’Connor Ph: 03 9460 1569 | Email: Bianca.OConnor@education.vic.gov.au
Payment Methods
- Qkr! App (find it on the App/Play Store) this is our preferred method of payment
- BPay – your individual reference number is on your Family Statement
- Regular payment plan arranged through the office
- Direct Deposit – bank account details and Family Code are found on your Family Statement
- Centrepay instalments – for eligible families
- Cash / Cheque / EFTPOS through the office
*Please note that we would appreciate payment methods that rely least on you coming into the school office (ie. preferably not cash / cheque / EFTPOS through the office if possible).
Our preferred method of payment is via the Qkr! app.
Refunds
Parent requests for refunds are subject to the discretion of the Principal and made on a case-by-case basis. Refunds will be provided where the school deems it is reasonable and fair to do so, taking into consideration whether a cost has been incurred, the Department’s Parent Payment Policy and Guidance, Financial Help for Families Policy and any other relevant information.
Parent Payments Policy - DET
SHORT OVERVIEW
FREE INSTRUCTION
· Schools provide students with free instruction and ensure students have free access to all items, activities and services that are used by the school to fulfil the standard curriculum requirements in Victorian Curriculum F-10, VCE and VCAL.
· Schools may invite parents to make a financial contribution to support the school.
PARENT PAYMENT REQUESTS
Schools can request contributions from parents under three categories:
Curriculum Contributions
Voluntary financial contributions for curriculum items and activities which the school deems necessary for students to learn the Curriculum.
Other Contributions
Voluntary financial contributions for non-curriculum items and activities that relate to the school’s functions and objectives.
Extra-Curricular Items and Activities
Items and activities that enhance or broaden the schooling experience of students and are above and beyond what the school provides for free to deliver the Curriculum. These are provided on a user-pays basis.
· Schools may also invite parents to supply or purchase educational items to use and own (e.g. textbooks, stationery, digital devices).
FINANCIAL HELP FOR FAMILIES
· Schools put in place financial hardship arrangements to support families who cannot pay for items or activities so that their child doesn’t miss out.
· Schools have a nominated parent payment contact person(s) that parents can have a confidential discussion with regarding financial hardship arrangements.
SCHOOL PROCESSES
· Schools must obtain school council approval for their parent payment arrangements and publish all requests and communications for each year level on their school website for transparency.