The following schedule sets out the Tuition Fees for Carinya Christian School Tamworth.

1.         INTRODUCTION

The TUITION FEE is an all-inclusive fee which, with some specific exceptions*, covers all the costs of your children's education, including:

·         all necessary stationery items (pens, pencils, books, etc.);

·         use of text books;

·         excursions and camps;

·         provision of materials for practical subjects;

·         all costs for compulsory sporting program.

*   a.     In Year 7 students must purchase a school supplied calculator ($25). In Years 11 & 12 students may choose one elective subject through an outside provider (eg Open High School courses & TAFE) or may participate in major works for Art and Design & Technology which may incur additional costs. These costs are  charged on a user pays basis.

      b.   In 2009 an Information Technology Levy has been introduced. This will be paid by all families so that we can implement the school’s Information Technology Plan. See section 3 for details.

Carinya does not charge additional levies to cover the costs of normal educational expenses (eg. service fees, text book fees and co-curriculum fees) in order to help parents clearly see what a Carinya Christ centred education for all their children will cost them.

Fees for 2009 have been increased as minimally as possible and in some instances have decreased.

2.         ANNUAL TUITION FEES

a.   For 2009, the annual all-inclusive tuition fees are:

·         2 Day Gumnuts, Preschool                                                    $ 2,370.00

·         3 Day Prep, Preschool                                                           $ 3,540.00

·         Junior School students, Kindergar­ten to Year 4                     $ 3,540.00

·         Middle School students, Years 5 to 6                                     $ 4,265.00

·         Middle School students, Years 7 to 8                                     $ 4,440.00

·         Senior School students, Years 9 to 10                                   $ 5,335.00

·         Senior School students, Years 11 to 12                                 $ 5,480.00

Note:  From 2009, all new families to the school, K-12, pay an Entry Level Fee for the first twelve months of enrolment, not the above annual fees (see section c. below).

b.   Sibling Discount

As in the past the school will continue to offer generous sibling discounts to enable families to fully participate in the school. These discounts will remain at the level of previous years:

First Child (eldest)       :  100%

Second child               :  66%

Third child                   :  33%

There is no additional charge for fourth or subsequent children.

The table following summarises the total yearly school fees payable after application of the Sibling Discount.  The amount per week is based on 52 weekly payments commencing 3 January 2009.

* The 1^st Child is the oldest

Please note that if payment is made on a weekly basis it must start in the first week of January 2009 as the weekly amounts have been calculated over the 52 week period.

c.    New Families Entry Level Fee:

From 2009 all new families to the school with children in Kindergarten to Year 12, pay a reduced annual Tuition fee for the first twelve months of enrolment.   For 2009 that fee has been set at $2500 for one child and $150 for each additional child, to a maximum fee of $2950. Families that are eligible for the Entry Level Fee and wish to participate in it are required to make payment by the school’s preferred method of payment using the school’s Direct Debit facility or pay by the due date.

Due to the lack of government funding for children in Prep the Entry Level Fee will not apply to children enrolled in Prep. However for new families to the school that have students in Prep that continue on to Kindergarten in the following year, that year’s fees will be reduced to the Entry Level Fee applying at the time, for that year only. That is, for 2009, the Kindergarten fee would be $2500 instead of $3540.

3.         INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LEVY 2009

Carinya has been preparing for some years to expand the capacity of the school’s Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) platform in 2009 and beyond and has developed a comprehensive Carinya ‘ICT Development Plan’. The purpose of the plan is to implement an ‘e-learning community’ from K to Year12 suitable to the needs of students for the 21^st century.

Parents will be aware of the Commonwealth Government’s funding program regarding the provision of information technology for schools and especially computers for students in years 9 – 12. The first part of the fulfilment of this promise has been put in place and Carinya has been able to secure some funding towards more computers in years 9 - 12.

To ensure that we achieve the initial goals of the school’s ICT Development Plan, and make the most of the funding we will receive, the school has introduced an Information Technology Levy in 2009. ICT development will more than ever be a substantial cost area into the future and the need for this levy may continue over a number of years. The amount of the levy will be reviewed on an annual basis in light of the ICT Development Plan and the level of Government funding in future years. All of the funds raised by the levy will be expended in the year collected.

In 2009 the key parts of the Development Plan include:

·         Wireless broadband access across the school

·         Establishing the Carinya Intranet

·         Incorporating 70 new computers in the Senior School (Fed Gov’t program)

·         Computers Pods (8 in each room) in Stage 1, 2 & 3

·         Making more computer laboratory time available for Junior/Middle school

The IT Levy for 2009 for all students K to 12 will be:

First child in family $100, second child $60 and third and subsequent children $30

4.            BUILDING FUND DONATIONS

Families are requested to make a $50 per term payment to the Carinya Christian School Building Fund, to assist the school with the maintenance and provision of the first class facilities in Tamworth and Gunnedah.

Payments to the building fund are fully tax deductible and are not part of the school fees nor a pre requisite of enrolment.  Separate payment by cash/cheque/EFTPOS/credit card make receipting and accounting procedures more efficient and ensures that donations maintain tax deductibility status.

5.            ENROLMENT DEPOSIT:  NEW STUDENTS

An Enrolment Deposit, equivalent to one term’s fees, is required when the offer of a position is made by the school. The Enrolment Deposit confirms acceptance of the offer of enrolment and is payable before the student commences in the school. 

The Enrolment Deposit is held in trust until the student leaves the school and is then refunded, upon receipt of a written request; provided all outstanding fees have been paid, and the appropriate notice has been given.

This enrolment deposit is non-refundable if the student is withdrawn before the commencement date.

6.            TERMINATION: ONE TERMS NOTICE REQUIRED

Parents are required to give at least one term’s notice in writing of termination of enrolment.  Failure to do so will render parents liable for a terms fees, unless there are mitigat­ing circumstances that are acceptable to the Board of the Association. Parents of students who leave after the end of Term 3 are still liable for the full 4^th Term fees.

7.            FEES ASSISTANCE

The school delights in making Christian education available to as many families as possible.  For this reason, existing parents experiencing financial hardship should feel free to approach the school for support on a short term, or long term basis, as may be necessary. Parents new to the school benefit from the significantly reduced Entry Level Fee but are also welcome to apply for further assistance if required.

All questions regarding fees assistance should be directed to the school Principal or the school Business Manager.

8.            PAYMENT OF FEES

a.         Fees are due on the first day of each term.

School fees are due and payable on the first day of each term. On that understanding parents are free to make arrangements to pay fees in an agreed form and time frame. Payment maybe on a weekly, fortnightly, term, or yearly basis or as agreed.

Payments made on a yearly basis on the first day of term 1 will attract an 8% discount.

 b.             Methods of Payment

The preferred method of payment of accounts is via Carinya’s Direct Debit facility.  Direct Debit Request Form and Credit Card Direct Debit Request Form can be downloaded here.

Payment may also be made by:

·                     EFTPOS (by telephone, or in person at the Tamworth office)

·                     Directly into the School’s bank account ( NAB Tamworth, BSB: 082-842, Account: 821661834)

·                     Cheque mailed to Carinya Christian School, 25 Boronia Drive, Tamworth 2340

·                     Payments by cheque or cash can also be made in person, at the school offices in Tamworth or Gunnedah.

Payment made by some credit cards may attract a fee to cover the cost that the school pays to the credit provider for using the facility. These fees will be advised on request. This fee will be waived when a full terms fees, or more, are paid on the due date.

c.            Overdue Fees

Prompt payment of fees is required and necessary for the good management of the school.

Carinya attempts to make Christian education affordable for every family. Therefore, the school operates on a tight cash flow and it is imperative that fees are paid on time as agreed at enrolment. Prompt payment enables the school to meet its obligations to creditors.

We are a community and good communication is important. If for any reason you are unable to pay fees by the due date, have any account query, or require further explanation or assistance, please contact Mr Greg Davis, the Business Manager. It is important that we all fulfil our obligations to each other as members of the Carinya school community.

Given the above and the availability of the Fees Assistance outlined in section 6 the school will apply the following in cases where non payment of fees occurs without the school being notified:

a.    Any reminder notices sent out after the due payment date requesting fees payment will incur a fee of $25 which will be debited to the families fees account

b.    In the case that notices are ignored and no program of payment of fees has been agreed upon interest will be charged retrospectively to the due date and charged monthly to the family fees account. The interest rate will be the prevailing NAB overdraft rate that the school pays.

c.    If after 90 days notices are still ignored and no program of payment of fees has been agreed upon recovery of fees and charges owing will be put into the hands of the School’s legal representatives. This is a step that we regret to take but is necessary to maintain a working school environment.