St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Next year we are introducing a concessional school fee policy to assist school families experiencing financial hardship in accessing a Catholic primary education for their child/children. It is our hope that we remain an inclusive school accessible to all. At all times, the dignity and privacy of those seeking a fee concession will be respected.

School office staff can advise applicants of the concessional fee to be charged. This concessional fee is fixed annually by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). Approved applicants will be charged only the annual concessional fee, which will cover all standard school fees and levies. If the applicant has become eligible under one of the eligibility criteria throughout the year, a pro-rata concession will be granted. In this instance, standard school fees and levies will be incurred for the portion of the year whereby the applicant was not eligible. To be eligible for the concession, the family must agree to either a direct debit or Centrepay deduction arrangement.

Centrelink issues a number of concession cards for a variety of reasons. Some cards have a generous or no income test and therefore holders of these cards are ineligible for a fee concession under this program. Only Health Care Cards that are eligible for the CSEF are eligible for the School Fees Concession Program.

The card must be issued in the name of the fee payer and list the students for whom the concession is to be applied.

The expiry date of the card must be after 1 January of the year for which the concession is to be applied. If an eligible concession card expires after the start of the year, the concessional fee rate will still be applied for the entire year. If a family becomes eligible during the course of the school year, then a pro‐rata concession will be granted.

An application should be lodged prior to the commencement of the school year so that it can be assessed and direct debit or Centrepay deduction arrangements can be initiated for the following year. Please follow the steps below:

1.  Complete the school’s application form, DDR service agreement or Centrepay deduction authority.

2.       Submit the completed forms along with a copy of a valid card.

3.       Complete and return the CSEF application form (where applicable).

The following forms can be obtained from the school office:

1.       School’s application form.

2.       School’s DDR service agreement or copy of the Centrepay deduction authority.

3.       CSEF application form.

Approved applicants will receive written notification of the outcome of their application for concessional fees from the school. Declined applicants will be contacted promptly to allow sufficient time to arrange a meeting with the Principal to discuss the fee structure.

1. The concession is automatic for a parent/guardian/carer responsible for the school fees who holds the eligible card.

2.       A CSEF application must be submitted for a concession to be granted.

3.   Where the fee account is split, the concession applies to only that portion payable by the eligible card holder.

4.   All families receiving or requesting a fee concession must notify the school should their financial circumstances change sufficiently to affect the level of concession offered.

5.   Any offer of a concession is subject to the applicant entering into a DDR service agreement or Centrepay deduction arrangement. Any default in payment may result in the concession being withdrawn.

6.   Should an application be considered ineligible, the applicant will be notified that the application has been declined. If the applicant is experiencing genuine financial hardship, they are encouraged to arrange to meet with the Principal.

7.    For further information on Centrepay, please refer to: 

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/business/services/centrelink/centrepay-businesses.

Book lists for Years 3 - 6 in 2022 were sent home last week. They are also attached below for your reference.

Please note - the last time you can come into the uniform shop to purchase uniforms this year will be Monday December 13th.  After this date, if you wish to order uniforms it can be done via www.flexischools.com.au.  Orders will be filled by Fleur on the first day back at school for students on Monday January 31st. The uniform shop will also be open on this day.