PARENT PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS 2021 - Newmerella Primary ...

PARENT PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS 2021
Dear Parent

Newmerella Primary School is looking forward to another great year of teaching and learning and
would like to advise you of our parent payment arrangements for 2021

Please find the fee schedule and Essential Learning Items for each child’s classroom attached.

Our school makes every effort to keep the cost of items and activities to a minimum and affordable
for all parents.
Newmerella Primary School has spent considerable time selecting the most appropriate requisites
to meet the needs of our children. Individual stationery packs are provided to the classroom for
distribution to primary students at the beginning of the new school year. The School Council
recommends the school to purchase where possible from local suppliers.
Parents and guardians have the option of purchasing equivalent materials from other sources. If
parents and guardians choose to provide equivalent materials, this should be done in consultation
with the school, as items should meet the specifications provided by the school. Not all
consumable “essential” materials are purchased at the beginning of the year, for example
technology, home eco and art/craft materials, due to their nature, may only be provided by the
school and are progressively purchased throughout the school year.
Parents are expected to purchase or commit to a payment plan for the Essential Education
Pack prior to the commencement of the school year.
No student will be denied access or refused instruction to the standard curriculum program.
Financial Support for Families
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
    •   The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund provides payments for eligible students to attend camps,
        sports and excursions. Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster
        parents are eligible to apply and a Special Consideration eligibility category also exists.

    •   State Schools’ Relief may cover the cost of new school uniforms, shoes, books and more for
        disadvantaged students. State Schools’ Relief only responds to requests from school principals,
        assistant principals or welfare coordinators. Parents or Carers who are struggling need to make an
        appointment with the school to discuss their situation.

    •   School Breakfast Program – Breakfast Packs are available to families

    •   Centrepay – a free voluntary service for Centrelink customers to pay expenses as regular deductions
        from their Centrelink payments. Centrepay can help families to pay for many types of bills such as
        education fees and expenses, child care, rent, electricity, gas, water bills, or medical services,

    For sensitive and confidential discussion about accessing these services, or if you would like to
    discuss hardship arrangements, please contact: the school office
    Phone: 51541620          Email: newmerella.ps@education.vic.gov.au

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FEE SCHEDULE
Essential Student Learning Items.
The total of 2021 School Fees are $275 per child.
Some families may still have CSEF and Bushfire money in their accounts so
please contact the office before making payments.
Please note the list of the Education Book Pack’s items are attached.	
  These packs are to be
purchased from the office before 29th January 2021 and will be released to your child’s classroom.
Teachers will make sure that the items are named.
Book Packs $165 to be paid or a payment plan established before 29th January 2021
Swimming Program $40
Arts Council Performances $25
Minor Excursions $45	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  includes	
  transport	
  to	
  and	
  from	
  all	
  local	
  events:-­‐	
  including	
  	
  OPS	
  play,	
  ONPS	
  play,	
  OSC	
  
concert,	
  RSL	
  –	
  ANZAC,	
  Winter	
  sports,	
  Athletic	
  sports,	
  Orbost	
  Library,	
  Buchan	
  Caves,	
  Interschool	
  athletic	
  sports,	
  
Interschool	
  Cross	
  Country,	
  Flower	
  Show,	
  Coastal	
  School,	
  Farm	
  visit,	
  Marlo	
  Beach,	
  Choir	
  rehearsal,	
  NPS	
  Musical	
  
rehearsals,	
  OSC	
  transition,	
  Emergency	
  Services	
  day,	
  Swimming	
  sessions,	
  Arts	
  council	
  performances	
  etc.	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  
Payment Methods
   • Paid	
  at	
  the	
  	
  school	
  office	
  by	
  cheque	
  or	
  	
  cash	
  
   • Direct	
  Deposit	
  –	
  BSB	
  313	
  140	
  	
  	
  Account	
  No:	
  12003934	
  	
  	
  	
  Please	
  state	
  your	
  name	
  as	
  reference	
  
   • BPAY	
  –-­‐	
  Contact	
  the	
  office	
  on	
  51541620	
  for	
  BPAY	
  codes	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  
   • Centrepay	
  deductions	
  -­‐	
  Centrelink	
  
Refunds
Refunds	
  relating	
  to	
  Family	
  receipts	
  
Newmerella Primary school will consider requests for partial or full refunds of payments made by
parents on a case-by-case basis taking into account the individual circumstances. Generally we
will not be able to refund payments made for items purchased or costs that have already been paid
where those funds have already been transferred to a third party.
For example, Education packs purchased at start of the year and the child leaves later in the year
or camp costs when a child becomes unwell and cannot attend in circumstances where the
payment has already been made or committed to a third party and no refund is available to the
school.

Students Leaving Newmerella PS
If a student transfers to another Victorian school including Secondary the unspent portion of the
CSEF will be forwarded to the student’s new school so the student has access to the full value of
the payment.
If a student leaves the Victorian school system, the CSEF receipt will remain with the school and
may be used towards the expenses for siblings, or school incurred costs associated with operating
camps, sports or excursion activities for students.

Credit amounts of Parent payments (ie: Cash, Direct Deposit, Centrepay, BPay instalments) at the
time of the student leaving Newmerella Primary School will be refunded back to the parent if no
further charges are expected.

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FEE SCHEDULE
Optional Items
NEWMERELLA PRIMARY SCHOOL offers a range of optional items and activities that are
additional to the delivery of the standard curriculum. These items and activities are designed to
broaden the school experience for your child. These will occur throughout the year.

Optional Item                                                                    Amount

Camps and excursions as scheduled throughout 2021. The cost of these             To be advised
excursions will be advised as soon as possible throughout the year.
Junior Rotary, School Photos, Student Accident Insurance, Instrumental
Music at OSC
Zone and Regional sporting competitions

Voluntary Contributions
NEWMERELLA PRIMARY SCHOOL DOES NOT REQUEST ANY VOLUNTARY
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PARENTS

Summary of Parent Payment Charges
Book Packs      $165 to be paid or a payment plan established before 29th January 2021
Swimming         $40 (Covered by CSEF if eligible) No charge if you have a season pool pass
Arts Council     $25 (Covered by CSEF if eligible)
Minor Excursions $45	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  (Covered by CSEF if eligible)	
  	
  
TOTAL            $275.00

The school Office will be open from Wednesday 27th January 2021.

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Mathers                                             Brian Harrison
Principal – Newmerella Primary School                       School Council President
51 541620 51541115 0429 192 834
stephen.mathers@education.vic.gov.au

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