School Fees Policy ST Thomas School Goodwood: Reviewed November 2020

SCHOOL FEES POLICY
ST THOMAS SCHOOL
GOODWOOD
Reviewed November 2020
St Thomas School Fees Policy Page 1

Introduction
Catholic Schools, in partnership with parents, in union with Christ’s saving mission and school communities,
educate young people for participation in the church and world communities today.
The Policy for School Fees is framed within the Vision statement for South Australian Catholic Schools.
This policy recognises that Catholic School communities develop the whole person, encourage the pursuit
of excellence and celebrate the human and divine gifts of each student.
S.A. Commission for Catholic Schools Vision Statement 1991
Background
St Thomas School & Pre-school, Goodwood exists to provide education in a Catholic culture where the
meaning and message of Jesus Christ is available to students. This message permeates all dimensions
of school life, is based on gospel values, on justice, compassion, love and reconciliation.
Definition
Tuition fees are those monies collected from parents and directed towards the recurrent operating and
maintenance costs of the school and capital cost in relation to Capital Building Loans. The School Board
is conscious of the sacrifices parents make to send children to Catholic Schools and appreciates the
difficulties being experienced by both fee-paying parents and schools trying to cope with increasing
costs.
Principles
The following principles underpin St. Thomas School & Pre-school Fee Policy;
• The education of children is a joint responsibility.

• The School Board recognises that the school community is made up of people with varying income
levels.
• Equity and justice are the foundations and the framework of the School Fee Policy.
• Every person is treated with respect and dignity.
• Parents are the first educators of their children and are partners in all facets of school life.
• Catholic tradition and values emphasise the need for each person to have a sense of belonging
to a community.
Policy
• No child is to be denied a Catholic education as a result of a parent’s inability to pay school
fees.
• School fees are the only source of income available to meet the school’s operating costs.
• All families need to contribute to the financial viability of the school.
• A parent receiving School Card will receive 40% discount on school fees. Should families of
School Card students feel that circumstances make them unable to pay the discounted amount,
they can then make application for a further Special Discount. Factors considered when
reviewing applications are –
1. Eligibility for School Card
2. Total family income
3. Number of children in the family
4. Illness or special circumstances
• A parent not receiving School Card and requesting assistance with their payment of tuition fees,
will complete an Income/Expenditure Disclosure Form which will be presented to the school’s
Finance Committee for consideration to determine a just and equitable fee.

• Families who go on extended holidays during the school year will still be expected to pay all
school fees this includes tuition fees, resource fee, CEO levy, building levy and the excursion levy
for the period they are away, without any remissions.
• School Fees will be increased yearly to cover increase in costs.
• Parents seeking enrolment for their children will be fully informed of the school’s expectations
regarding the payment of School Fees.
• School Fees include Annual Tuition Fee, Resource Fee, Building Levy, CEO Levy and
Excursion/Incursion Levies.
• One full term’s tuition fee will be charged for students withdrawn without at least one term’
notice in writing.
Key Policy Outcomes

• The principal will sensitively assess the ability to pay, so that no family suffers undue hardship.
• The Principal and Bursar, (mindful that financial hardship can occur through unforeseen
circumstances), will encourage early negotiation to avoid misunderstanding and hardship in the
collection of school Fees. If a family experiences unexpected changes in circumstances during
the year, which results in financial hardship, an application for a fee concession can be made
at any time.
• The Board has an expectation, however, that as a matter of simple justice to families who honour
their commitment to the payment of school fees, that those can pay, do so. It reserves the right
to take any appropriate actions necessary to recover outstanding or overdue tuition fees.
• The collection of fees is open to negotiation with families with regard to payments made.
• All school fees are to be collected promptly to facilitate a balanced budget.
• School fees are to be adjusted yearly to avoid steep increases.
• The Finance Committee will meet prior to each Board Meeting to discuss and assess School Fee
matters.
• Confidentiality will be maintained at all times.
The process for the collection of School Fees will be –

• At the beginning of each year, a single family account will be posted home from the school. It
is expected that fees will be paid by the due date.
• Extra-curricular activities and camps will be invoiced separately.
• School fee statements are posted each term.
• Reminder notices are placed in the school’s newsletter.
• Reminder notices of overdue accounts will be posted 2 weeks after due date.
• Outstanding accounts followed up by Principal and/or Bursar in writing.
• Negotiated payments, fortnightly, monthly, must be maintained regularly and punctually.
• Direct debit from nominated bank accounts/credit cards is encouraged for instalment payments.
• Bank charges incurred through the "re-presentation” of cheques will be debited to the family
fee account.
• Where the payment of school fees is not made after reasonable attempt of collection, the
recovery of fees plus costs will be placed in the hands of a debt collector and action pursued
to its finality.
• As a last result a debt collection agency may also be employed by the School to recover bad
debts plus costs from families who have left the school and have the capacity to pay.
• Records will be kept regarding fee collection, fee remission and payment by instalment
agreement, as well as documentation regarding overdue school fee accounts and any action
taken by the Finance Committee.
• Students beginning or leaving part way through a term will be charged on a pro rata basis.

School Fees Policy ST Thomas School Goodwood: Reviewed November 2020

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School Fees Policy ST Thomas School Goodwood: Reviewed November 2020

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SCHOOL FEES POLICY

Reviewed November 2020

St Thomas School Fees Policy Page 1

• The education of children is a joint responsibility.

St Thomas School Fees Policy Page 2

Key Policy Outcomes

The process for the collection of School Fees will be –

St Thomas School Fees Policy Page 3

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