Principal's Report

Dear members of the St. Cecilia’s School community,

Please take some time read about the following important information, events or celebrations in this week's newsletter. These include:

• Coffee Van
• ‘Kids in Space Program’
• School Fees
• Parents Association Dates
• Sacramental Information
• School Disco 
• Signing In
• Foundation enrolment

Coffee Van

Next Thursday (30th May) we will have a Coffee Van at school as an opportunity to mix and chat with other parents. 

Times:   8am - 8:30am   (staff)

                 8:30am - 10 am (all parents) - not for students sorry

Drop the kids and stay around for a coffee and a chat before the day escapes you! (for the adults only please)

Gold coin donation. 

See you there...

‘Kids in Space Program’

St Cecilia's School is so excited to be one of the 27 schools in Victoria selected to participate in the ‘Kids in Space Program’. The Year 5/6 students will participate in this program during Term 3, 2024.

Four teachers, Matthew Mooney, Louise Jury, Caterina Cerrina and Fiona Walsh, attended a two-day professional development program at the Victorian Space Centre in Strathmore. During this professional development, we received our new 3D printer, and the teachers also had an intensive program to learn all about the 'Kids in Space Program.' 

The Andy Thomas Space Foundation and The Australian Space Agency have partnered to deliver a new, national space education program for 65+ primary schools throughout Australia called 'Kids in Space'. This pioneering new program is designed to educate and raise awareness of the opportunities in space careers among Australian primary school-aged children.

Throughout Term 3, the Year 5/6 students will be participating in a space-themed challenge. They will showcase what they have been working on to the school community and then there will be an opportunity for two groups to continue to showcase their challenge ideas on a state level.

School Fees

As we approach the halfway point of the academic year, I would like to take a moment to explain the process and rationale behind the annual increase in school fees at St Cecilia's Primary School. This is part of our commitment to maintaining transparency and keeping you informed about the factors influencing our financial decisions.

Each year, the Australian Government allocates funding to schools based on a specific formula. This formula considers various factors, including the postcodes of the school and the surrounding areas but most importanantly, is based on household income. Schools such as ours, that have families with higher incomes receive a lower percentage of government funding per child as they have a higher capacity to contribute to school fees. 

St Cecilia's Primary School, based on these criteria, receives one of the highest ratings in Australia. This means that our percentage of government funding is significantly lower compared to most other schools. The lower government contribution necessitates a higher dollar contribution from parents to ensure we can meet our school's operating costs and continue to provide a high-quality education for our students.

To give you a clear picture of our financial structure, in the 2023 Annual Financial Statement (AFS), our school's funding split was approximately as follows:

• Private contributions: 16%
• State funding: 14%
• Federal funding: 69%

This breakdown highlights the significant reliance on federal funding, supplemented by state funding and private contributions. However, the percentage from private contributions must be substantial enough to cover the shortfall created by lower government funding due to our high rating.

The primary costs that school fees help cover include:

• Teaching and classroom consumables and materials directly used in your child's education
• Acquisition of learning resources and technology
• Extracurricular activities and programs that enrich our students' education
• Maintenance and improvement of school facilities
• Subsidises salaries for our dedicated teaching and administative staff 

Additionally, I would like to inform you that our upcoming fee table for next year will provide a clear indication of the various areas to which school fees are dedicated. This detailed breakdown will offer greater transparency and help you understand how your contributions directly support the educational experience at St Cecilia's.

It is also important to remind families that school fees cover school expenses only. The voluntary parish levy is separate from these fees and is coordinated by the parish. The parish levy supports the broader community and parish activities, distinct from the operational costs of the school.

Furthermore, any fundraising raised by the Parents Association is an addition to this model and is used directly for upgrading and enhancing students' educational experiences, such as the new STEAM Room, Landscape MasterPlan, upgraded technology, etc.  These funds help provide additional resources and opportunities that enrich our students' learning environment.

We understand that any increase in school fees can be challenging for families. Therefore, the decision to raise fees is made with careful consideration and is aimed at balancing the need to provide the best possible education with the financial realities faced by our school.

If your family is experiencing any hardship regarding school fees, please contact me directly at mmckenna@scgleniris.catholic.edu.au.  We are committed to working with you to find a solution.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support in ensuring that St Cecilia's Primary School remains a leading school of learning and growth. Should you have any questions or need further clarification about the fee structure, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Parents Association Upcoming Dates

Friday May 24                                                             School Disco      

Saturday June 1                                                          Parent's Mid-Year Function

Monday June 17                                                         Whole School Athletics Day   

Important Dates for our Sacramental Years

Please see in bold now confirmed dates for the Confirmation commitment Masses and Family Night.

School Disco  - Friday May 24

Final reminder: 

📅 Date:          Friday 24th May

🕖 Time:         Juniors (Prep-Year 2)   4-5pm.

                           Seniors (Years 3-6)      5.15-6.30pm.

📍 Location:    School Hall

More photos to come......

Signing in

This is a friendly reminder that in accordance with our school child safety policy, all visitors—including classroom helpers—are required to sign in and out at the front office. This procedure is crucial for ensuring the safety and security of our students. By signing in, you help us maintain an accurate record of who is on campus at any given time, which is essential for both daily operations and emergency situations. We appreciate your cooperation and support in helping us provide a safe learning environment for all children. Thank you for your understanding and adherence to this policy.

2025 Foundation Enrolment 

This is another urgent reminder for any current families who have a sibling wishing to commence school next year.  Numbers are building rapidly for Foundation 2025 and we have stated to send out formal offers. 

We have provided many school tours for prospective parents already this year for Foundation 2025.  The level of enthusiasm and interest is enormously encouraging.

This note is simply a check in to see that we have accurate numbers of siblings that are intending to commence Foundation next year at St. Cecilia's. Several families have indicated that a sibling will be commencing but have not yet submitted an enrolment form. Please download and submit the 2025 Foundation Enrolment form directly from our school website. 

If you have a child starting school in 2025 please ensure you have submitted your application form asap!  

Online Application Form 

Have a great weekend everyone - make the most of every moment!

Marty McKenna

Principal

St Cecilia’s Primary School