School Fees

Fee Overview

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; your local school Principal will be able to discuss this with you.

Together with parents, clergy and school staff, St James’ is committed to offering students in the Maitland-Newcastle 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 State and Commonwealth government grants, but the commitment and continuing financial contribution of parents and parish communities is still 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 Diocesan Family School Building Levy (DFSBL).

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. The annual fees are divided equally across three terms.

DIOCESAN TUITION FEES

The 2024 full rate Diocesan Tuition Fees are as follows:

• Kinder to Year 6 - $1,487 per year

In 2024, the family discount on Diocesan Tuition Fees, full rate, will be:

• 1 child family - 0% - full rate to be applied
• 2 child family - 15% - each child
• 3 child family - 25% - each child
• 4 + child family - 50% - each child

Fees are levied annually.

SCHOOL RESOURCE AND SERVICE FEES

The resource fee is billed per child, it covers a range of costs including the supply of goods and services, such as textbooks, exercise books, technology or resources needed for particular KLAs. Some incursion/excursion activities are also included. School camp and Intensive Swimming program will be billed separately.

DIOCESAN FAMILY SCHOOL BUILDING LEVY (DFSBL)

The DFSBL is $1,638 per year and is charged to the oldest child for each family. The levy is pooled to contribute towards past, present and future costs for building projects across all existing and new catholic schools, and the acquisition of land for school purposes.

The DFSBL rate is determined by the Diocesan Offices.

If you have an older child at a Catholic primary or high school in the Diocese, he or she will be billed by their school.

The levies collected are used for building projects in all schools within the Diocese according to maintenance needs and building priorities developed by the DFSBL committee.

Other Fees

DIOCESAN PASTORAL CONTRIBUTION

A voluntary contribution of $300 per family ($100 per term) 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

A non-refundable enrolment fee is to be paid on acceptance of enrolment at St James’. The enrolment fee covers all administrative work involved in processing the application.

SPECIAL FEE REDUCTIONS

To assist families with limited financial resources, St James’ 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.

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.

Payment of Fees

Accounts are sent home at the beginning of Term 1 for the full year.

Payments can be made via cash, cheque, BPAY, credit card (over the phone), and EFTPOS. Direct debit from your bank, credit union or building society account is also available. A range of alternative payment plans are also available, these include dividing the fees over 10 equal payments from February to November. P

Please be aware that if your direct debit is dishonoured more than three times the school will cancel the deduction. For any dishonoured direct debit, the school is charged a fee of $2.50 by your financial institution. This fee will be passed on to the fee payer and will appear on the next statement. No receipts are issued – please check bank account for proof of payment.