29^th of November 2023

 

School Levies and Charges for 2024

Levies are one of the many ways that families contribute to our school community. Levies support student learning by contributing towards the cost of essential items and services.

 

When setting school levies and charges the school:

• considers inclusive education, community expectations and family financial constraints
• consults with the School Association committee.

 

Levies are paid in Term One each year or paid in instalments using a payment plan. Payment plans are available for all families and may continue through until the end of the school year.

 

Families who are supported through the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) do not need to pay levies. Parents who hold a Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, or Pensioner Concession Card are eligible for STAS for their children.

 

LEVIES FOR 2024

Haven’t been increased.

Year level	What is included?	Total levy
Kindergarten	·         Stationery ·         Learning materials ·         Excursions and performances ·         Swimming & Water Safety Program	$230.00
Prep – Grade 3	·         Stationery ·         Learning materials ·         Excursions, performances, productions, and off campus activities ·         Swimming & Water Safety Program	$320.00
Grade 4 – 6	·         Stationery ·         Learning materials ·         Excursions, performances, productions, and off campus activities ·         Swimming & Water Safety Program	$435.00

 

CHARGES FOR 2024

Optional activity or item	Charge	Payment date
School photos School Magazine	$25 - $80 $25.00-$30.00	First Day Term 1 Term Four

 

WHAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN LEVIES AND CHARGES?

 

LEVIES	CHARGES
Levies include costs for items and services that are required to complete the normal educational instruction at the school. Levies include the cost of: Any items which are essential to completing the student’s core curriculum (e.g., essential stationery, textbooks, cooking ingredients, gardening supplies). Any services like excursions, performances and activities that are part of the curriculum (e.g., out-of-school excursions taken as part of a subject, in-school performances, class, year-level, and camp). Students will be part of a whole school production in 2024. Grade 5/6 Students will be attending Canberra in 2025. Grade 4 students annually to have a local overnight excursion. There are no compulsory payments you are required to make other than the annual levy. Stationery costs include a stationery pack that students receive at the start of the school year.	Charges are payments made to the school for items or services that are optional. Charges may apply for:   Optional items (e.g., yearbook, school photos)

 

How do I pay levies and charges?

Levies can be paid:

• At the school (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
• At Service Tasmania (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
• Through BPAY (using the Biller Code and Reference on your invoice)
• By mail, forward your cheque, money order or credit card details to the school, with the payment slip from your invoice attached (payable to the Department for Education, Children and Young People)
• Using Centrepay, a service provided by Centrelink.

You can choose to pay your levies by instalment by contacting the school to set up a payment plan of regular instalments. Payment plans can continue through to the end of the school year.

If none of the payment options listed here work for your family, please contact the school office.

 

 

 

Can I get help with school levies?

 

There are a range of options available to support families with the costs of schooling.

• You are eligible for the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) if you hold a Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA Concession Card. Once you have applied for STAS, you will not need to pay any levies. You may apply online (https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/parents-carers/parent-fact-sheets/fees-levies/) or collect a paper application form from your school office.
• Families receiving STAS can access the Spectacles Assistance Scheme to support children who require spectacles.
• We have a supply of pre loved uniforms.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty or financial hardship, and none of the support options above will work for your family, you can contact the school office or the Department for Education, Children and Young People Financial Services Unit at Fin.Serv@decyp.tas.gov.au or on 1800 827 055.

 

Where can I access the School Levies and Charges Policy?

 

The School Levies and Charges Policy for our school can be accessed by requesting a copy from the school office.

 

What will happen if I forget to pay?

 

Students will not be prevented from participating in any learning activities that are part of the curriculum if their levies have not been paid.

If your family has not paid their levies by the due date, and has not organised to pay in instalments, the school will be in contact to remind you that payment is due and will check to see if your family requires support. If your levies remain unpaid after the school has sent two follow-up letters, the matter will be forwarded to Finance and Budget Services within the Department for Education, Children and Young People to be followed up.

Under no circumstances will the status of payment of levies or charges be discussed directly with students.

 

Who can I talk to about levies?

You are a valued member of our school community, and we welcome your feedback on levies and charges at our school.

You can contact the school office if you have any questions or would like to talk about levies at our school. Personal information relating to levies will always be treated with total confidentiality.

The levies and charges we receive from families supports our school to deliver learning opportunities for all students. Thank you for your contribution.

The school office will be open for levy payments, uniform, and book pack collection from 9.00am to 3.30pm from Thursday 1^st February – Friday 2nd February. Students begin school on Thursday 8^th February 2024.  Student Information Validation Forms will be available on these days for parents to update with current contact details.

 

                                                                                   

 

Kristy Hay                                                       Melissa Quinn

Principal                                                       School Business Manager