Thursday 31s^t October 2019

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Re: 2020 Parent Payments

The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 provides that instruction in the standard curriculum program is delivered free to all students in Victorian Government schools; this is referred to as 'free instruction'. The Act also grants school councils the power to charge fees for goods and services to support the delivery of free instruction and to raise funds. Free instruction is the teaching staff, administration and the provision of facilities in connection with the instruction of the standard curriculum program, including reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities. The standard curriculum for Years F-10 means implementation of the Victorian Curriculum F-10.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Parent Payments in Victorian Government Schools policy provides advice on the different types of payments that schools can request from parents and outlines the procedures and protocols schools must adhere to. This policy is available from the Department's School Policy and Advisory Guide ( www.education.vic.gov.au/spag ).

School councils are responsible for developing and approving a school-level parent payment policy that is compliant with the Department's policy.

There are three areas for which parents may reasonably be requested to make a payment or contribution:

• Essential Student Learning Items which parents/guardians pay the school to provide

(for example, stationery, text books and excursions (travel and entry costs);  Optional Education Items which are offered on a user-pays basis and which parents/guardians may choose whether their child access or participates in (for example, extracurricular programs or activities); and

• Voluntary Financial Contributions which parents/guardians may be invited to donate to the school.

Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that their children are provided with the Essential Education Items. The school makes every effort to keep the cost of items that need to be purchased at a minimum and our 2020 Parent Payment has been set as listed below.

Essential Student Learning Items: $140.00 — Whole school activities, access to various online programs, First Aid and Specialist areas.

Voluntary Financial Contributions: $10.00 Library and Reading Program.

Student supplies will be made available to students in their classroom, for the commencement of the 2020 schoolyear once payment has been made.

2020 Payments will be accepted at the School Administration Office Monday 19th November 2019 to Friday 13^th December 2019. School Administration commences Tuesday 21s^t January 2020.

The following payment times are available:

It is imperative for all payments to be made before Friday 24^th January 2020, as NO payments will be accepted on the first day of Term One.

Alternative payment arrangements are also available by contacting Maria Barnes or Cheryl Walsh.

Preferably these arrangements should be made by the end of the 2019 school year.

Regular payments can commence at any time during the school year. Credits will sit in your accountforfuture expenses, providing all current expenses are finalised.

Centrepay Instalments are available for parents who receive Centrelink benefits and can be used for any school expenses. Forms and lodgement are available at the Administration office.

CSEF (Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund) is not available for Parent Payments. If you are eligible for CSEF and haven't previously applied, forms are available at the office.

Additional School Charges

Some additional school charges will arise during the year. For example:

• School Photographs (Foundation - Six)
• Excursion/lncursions (Foundation - Six) (Approx. $25 per term, per student)
• Breakfast - Foundation
• Dinner - Year One
• Sleepover - Year Two
• Camp (Years Three, Four, Five and Six)
• Year Six Uniform
• Local school fundraising $10 per term, per student
• Swimming Program
• Years Five and Six Electives
• Interschool Sport and Athletics (Years Three - Six)
• School Uniform (Second Hand uniform shop available)

If you have any queries or wish to discuss your circumstances and the options available to you, please contact the school on 5941 1511 to make an appointment.

Yours sincerely,                                                                                            

Pakenham Consolidated School

2 Rundell Way Pakenham 3810

Postal Address: PO Box 120, Pakenham 3810
TEL: (03) 5941 1511 Fax: (03) 5941 1541
www.pakconps.vic.edu.au