Dear Parent and Carers,

Oatlands Primary School is looking forward to another fantastic year of teaching and learning in 2026. We are committed to providing all students with free instruction to fulfill the Victorian Curriculum, as required, and we want to assure you that all contributions are voluntary.

However, voluntary financial contributions from families make a significant difference to the quality of our programs. Your ongoing support allows Oatlands to expand and strengthen our teaching and learning practices, facilities and wellbeing services. This support ensures we can continue to provide the best care, support, education and opportunities for every student.

Thanks to the generosity of our school community, we have been able to provide-:

Resources for two language programs
STEM resources
Resources for our Art department
Library books for our school library
Access to a dedicated cooking room
Special experiences and events across all year levels
Replacement Chromebooks for both the IT department and student classroom loans
A dedicated wellbeing team including onsite Allied Health Professionals.

We are truly grateful for your continued support, whether through financial contributions, fundraising, or volunteering your time. Your involvement makes a real and lasting impact on our Oatlands community.

Department of Education guidelines now mandate that schools are unable to provide parents with a statement of fee. Families are asked to please review the recommended voluntary financial contribution schedule, for an indication of contributions for you child/ren.

School Council have not changed the voluntary curriculum contribution for 2026 and remains at $210.00 (.57c per day, per student). Schools are no longer permitted to offer payments plans for voluntary contributions.

Please note that Oatlands Primary School have committed to supply every student with stationery in their classroom for 2026. This comes at a cost to the school and will be reviewed every year and dependant on the budget that is set by Department of Education.

However, a stationery booklist is available from the school office for parents/carers who wish to purchase personal supplies for their child.

We understand that the current economic climate is challenging for many families. We want to reassure you that no student will be disadvantaged—we will ensure all students have access to the resources they need.

Curriculum Contribution – items and activities that students use, or participate in, to access the Curriculum	Amount
These contributions directly support a number of important curriculum areas and programs that we offer including: Student Classroom Materials – books, pencils, pens, coloured pencils Classroom Materials - paper, craft items, classroom libraries, readers Critical literacy resources (Guided reading books, take home reader) Art – paint, crayons, canvas, glitter, coloured paper, clay, drawing equipment LOTE (Italian or Japanese) – shared resources, worksheets Physical Education – replacement of sporting equipment, ribbons, certificates, rewards STEM – equipment and resources Printing and photocopying Kitchen – Equipment and groceries for cooking classes ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS Mathletics Essential Assessment – Maths and English Compass to support student assessment and parent communication Overdrive – Ebook collection for Oliver (student borrowing) Information and Communication Technology - software and equipment needed to sustain and enhance out ICT program	$160.00
Total Curriculum Contributions	$160.00
Other Contributions – for non-curriculum items and activities	Amount
School Sports Victoria affiliation to participate in inter school sports Student wellbeing programs First aid equipment – the school provides first aid consumable to treat all students and to meet student health needs when at school, excursions and camps. (Including Icepacks, band aids, extra EpiPens, extra Ventolin) School grounds maintenance and improvements	$50.00
TOTAL OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS	$50.00
TOTAL VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS	$210.00

Oatlands Primary School offers a range of items and activities that enhance or broaden the schooling experience of students and are above and beyond what the school provides to deliver the Curriculum. These are provided on a use pays basis.

Extra Curricular Items and Activities Permission forms and payments requests will be sent out in 2026	Amount
Optional excursions to be scheduled (all year levels)	$TBA
Optional Year 5 and 6 school camps to be scheduled	$TBA
Optional Interschool Sports program	$TBA
Optional Incursions to be scheduled (all year levels)	$TBA
Optional Grade 3 – 6 District Sporting Events	$TBA
Dance Production	$TBA
Author speaker – during book week	$TBA
Optional International Japanese or Italian trip	$TBA
Life Ed during term 2	$TBA

Financial Support for Families

Oatlands Primary School understands that some families may experience financial difficulty and offer a range of support options, including

CSEF – please see the office staff with your current health care card
State School Relief
School Savings Bonus – Any balance can be used for extra curricular activities.

Payment methods

Compass Payments (preferred option)
EFTPOS over the phone or in person

Refunds

Parent requests for refunds are subject to the discretion of the school and made on a case-by-case basis. Refunds will be provided where the school deems it is reasonable and fair to do so, taking into consideration whether a cost has been uncured, the Department’s Parent Payment Policy and Guidance, Financial Help for Families Policy and any other relevant information.

For further information, please refer to the Department of Education’s Parent Payments Policy – One-Page Overview, attached with this letter.

Yours sincerely,

Wes Holloway & Matt Kenny Dean McCaughan

Co – Principals School Council President

Oatlands Primary School Newsletter

Week 4 Term One

Oatlands Primary School · 20 Feb 2026

In this issue