Catholic schools are typically seen as great value for money, providing high-quality education supported by quality facilities and learning environments. It is the policy of the Catholic Schools Office that financial hardship should not prevent any child from attending a Catholic school and no child will be denied a Catholic education because of a family’s genuine inability to pay the required school fees. Any family experiencing financial difficulties is entitled to fee assistance and the Catholic school system can provide a low-fee option; the Principal will be able to discuss this with you.
Together with parents, clergy and school staff, St Joseph’s is committed to offering the children in the Newcastle-Maitland region access to schools in which their faith can be nurtured in outstanding learning environments. We seek to assist young people to realise their full potential, taking into account their unique spiritual, intellectual, physical and social needs.
The greater part of Diocesan schools’ funding comes from Commonwealth and State government grants, but the commitment and continuing financial contribution of parents and parish communities is essential to fill the gap between the funds provided by government and the actual cost of running our schools. School fees are comprised of three components – Diocesan Tuition Fees, individual school resource and service fees and the Diocesan Family School Building Levy (DFSBL).
1. Diocesan Tuition Fees
School fees are an integral part of our Catholic School System and parents are required to sign a fee agreement commitment form on enrolment. Fee arrangements may be considered in extenuating circumstances and in consultation with the Principal.
2. School Resource and Service Fees
There is a Resource Fee for secondary students which covers the resources used by the students in accessing their education, including the costs of stationery items as well as specialist materials needed for particular KLA areas. Resource costs are set by the Principal in consultation with staff, parents, Parish Priests and the CSO. Excursions and Incursions are also an additional expense and must be paid prior to the date of the event.
3. Diocesan Family School Building Levy (DFSBL)
The DFSBL is charged to the eldest child in each family. The levy is pooled to contribute towards past, present and future costs for building projects across all existing schools and for new Catholic schools, and the acquisition of land for school purposes.
The DFSBL contribution from families is spent on major refurbishment and capital works in existing schools including classroom replacement, toilet facilities, specialist rooms and playground areas. In new schools, the DFSBL provides all capital works including an administration block, general purpose learning areas, chapel, specialist rooms, toilet facilities and non-teaching spaces including playgrounds and oval spaces.
The contribution is reviewed, recommended and approved in the same fashion as the Tuition Fees and Discounts as mentioned earlier.
Diocesan Pastoral Contribution
A voluntary family contribution is being sought as a Diocesan Pastoral Contribution.
These funds support the ongoing pastoral works of the Diocese which include, amongst many initiatives, the Diocesan pastoral ministries office and the activities of its many advisory councils, the provision of chaplains ministering in the following areas – Newcastle University, Newcastle Port, Prisons, Hospitals and CatholicCare Social Services, the Family Community Faith Coordinators who work to reach out to and connect families with their local parish and school and Pastoral Coordinators who work in those parishes without a resident Parish Priest.
We value the opportunity to work in partnership with you and thank you for your continuing support of Catholic education in our Diocese.
Enrolment Fee
The enrolment fee is payable upon acceptance of enrolment and is non-refundable. This fee covers all administrative work involved in processing the application.
Special Fee Reductions
To assist families with limited financial resources, St Joseph’s offers a lower tuition fee to means tested low income families, such as Health Care and Pension Card holders. This rate is 50% of the Diocesan Tuition Fee full rate for each child. This discount applies only to the Diocesan Tuition Fee, not to the DFSBL or other resource and service fees charged by each individual school.
Further Concessions
A genuine inability to meet school account charges does not exclude access to any school within the diocese for a child of a family genuinely committed to Catholic faith and practice. Parents concerned about school fees should ensure they make contact with the school. Diocesan provisions exist to help in this area and the Principal can also exercise discretion where genuine need exists.
Various payment options are available for payment of fees. The preferred methods of payment are direct debit with the CCF or BPay. We also accept credit card. We request that all school fees are paid in full by 30 November.
