The quality of our teaching and learning program will be maximised when each family makes its contribution.
Public Education is not FREE
While the government provides a basic grant to run schools it is also assumed that parents and carers will make a contribution towards their child’s education. These much needed funds go towards resources that assist and enhance your child’s educational journey.
Contributions apply to K-10 students. Compulsory charges are levied for all subjects studied in Year 11 and 12. In addition to this, payment of P&C contributions is essential to keep our canteen operational and reduce the need for fundraising. Chaplaincy Services provide pastoral care support to students, the Library Fund replenishes the books in our library and the Technology Fund allows up to keep our Information Technology up to date.
If you have a Health Care Card or a Pension Concession Card and your child is a student in Year 7-12, you are eligible to apply for the Secondary Assistance Scheme which will contribute $350.00 towards your child’s educational costs.
Parents are sent all information prior to the beginning of each school year, including schedules of estimated extra-cost options and a list of personal use items for each student. You are advised to view the attached documentation for more information.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, payment plans are available. Please contact the office if you need to apply for the Secondary Assistance Scheme (prior to April each year) or to arrange a payment plan.
Voluntary Contributions and Charges
A Voluntary Contribution of $60 per student (Pre Primary to Year 6) and $60 (Kindergarten ) is requested to cover such items as science consumables, library materials, newsletters and notes, resources, materials and technology and enterprise consumables.
In 2021 the maximum Year 7,8,9 and 10 Voluntary Contributions was $235.
Parents/carers will be informed in Term 4, 2020 regarding the 2021 Voluntary Contributions and Charges and the information will also be provided in Term 4 regarding maximum outlay of extra cost options (camps, excursions, etc).
Voluntary Approved Requests include contributions to the P & C, the Chaplaincy Program, the Technology Fund and the Library Fund.
The P&C contribution is $20 per family. These funds go towards the fundraising targets for the year. This can be paid to the school.
Merredin College is fortunate to have a chaplain to support our student services and there is a voluntary contribution of $30 per family to support this program.
The Technology and Library Fund contributions are $20 each per student. These funds are essential to keep our resources up to date.
A further $15 per child is requested to support the Mathletics program we run at Merredin College.
Contributions and Charges
In Years 11 and 12 all course charges are compulsory.
For most courses in Years 11 and 12, text books must be purchased by students. Books can be ordered online. Details regarding how to order the books will be distributed with the course charges and booklist. These are sent to families at the end of each year for the following year.
In addition to these compulsory charges there are also additional charges for:
(a) optional activities in any course for which there is an additional cost (e.g. excursions, camps, etc.)
(b) other optional school-based activities which address broad learning outcomes for which there is a cost (e.g. school and social events, such as graduation dinners or school balls, etc).
Participation in optional activities (b) is voluntary, but a compulsory charge is payable if the student chooses to participate.
Financial Assistance
The Secondary Assistance Scheme is available to secondary students whose parents hold a concession card. The scheme includes the Clothing Allowance ($115 paid to school or parent) and Educational Program Allowance ($235 paid directly to the school).
If you think you are eligible for the Secondary Assistance Scheme, please apply through the school before the end of March.
The Secondary Assistance Scheme is available to students up to and including the year in which they turn 18, and only if they have a parent who is a holder of one of the prescribed cards listed below:
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card; or
- Centrelink Health Care Card (Family card only – not for a specific child for medical purposes, viz: “CDA” type [Child Disability Allowance]); or
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card.
- Cards that are not eligible are TPI and Gold Cards.
Students in receipt of ABSTUDY are eligible for the ABSTUDY Supplement Allowance.
A Youth Allowance is available for eligible students through Centrelink when they turn 16 – generally this is in Year 11.
Personal Use Items
Personal Use Item lists are provided to parents in Term 4 for the following year.
All items are available through Nextra Newsagency Merredin, however, parents may purchase from any other outlet.
All personal use items should have the child’s name clearly marked on them.
It is the responsibility of students to ensure that each day they have the necessary materials.
We encourage parents to recycle items from previous years if they are still in a reasonable condition.