2026 Parent Payment Information

Dear parent/guardian

Woodend Primary School is looking forward to another great year of teaching and learning and would like to advise you of Woodend Primary School’s voluntary financial contributions for 2026.

Schools provide students with free instruction to fulfil the standard Victorian Curriculum and we want to assure you that all contributions are voluntary. Nevertheless, the ongoing support of our families ensures that our school can offer the best possible education and support for our students. If we receive less in contributions from parents, any funds earmarked for school improvement projects are diverted to address this.

Your financial support in 2025, of the Curriculum and other areas similar to those listed in the attached, has allowed us to purchase the following items, which are of direct benefit to students at our Woodend and Carlsruhe campus -:

Rotunda
RSL Memorial Garden
Reverse cycle air conditioners in classrooms
Carlsruhe storage container
Wheelers ePlatform for decodable & eReaders
Playclub and lunchtime clubs

We appreciate the ongoing financial support from our school community as it allows us to continue to allocate funds to these important improvements, which are all aimed at delivering the best possible learning outcome and environment for our students.

For further information on the Department’s Parent Payments Policy please see a one-page overview attached.

Yours sincerely

Elissa Campbell – PRINCIPAL Tim Bates – SCHOOL COUNCIL PRESIDENT

2026 PARENT PAYMENT INFORMATION

Extra-Curricular Items and Activities

Woodend 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, in order to deliver the Curriculum. These are provided on a user-pays basis.

Excursions and Camps – Throughout the year, excursions and camps may be organised for specific year levels. Details will be provided via Compass when an event has been scheduled.

Instrumental Music Program - Various outside tutors provide tuition to students on a wide range of instruments. The program is an extra-curricular activity where participation is optional and tuition fees are set by and paid direct to the music tutor. Please contact the school for further information.

Financial Support for Families

Woodend Primary School understands that some families may experience financial difficulty and offers a range of support options, including:

the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund
use of the 2025 School Saving Bonus money (if applicable)
a confidential discussion about accessing financial assistance or if you would like to discuss alternative payment arrangements for any activity, contact:
Elissa Campbell - Ph: 03 5427 2455 Email: elissa.campbell@education.vic.gov.au

Payment methods – please note – No individual accounts will be issued.

Via QKR (free app) – for payment of all Parent Payment categories plus Building & Library Fund Contributions.Also for Canteen & Uniform Shop orders.

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 incurred, the Department’s Parent Payment Policy and Guidance, Financial Help for Families Policy and any other relevant information.

PARENT PAYMENTS POLICY

ONE PAGE OVERVIEW

FREE INSTRUCTION

Schools provide students with free instruction and ensure students have free access to all items, activities and services that are used by the school to fulfil the standard curriculum requirements in Victorian Curriculum F-10, VCE and VCAL.
Schools may invite parents to make a financial contribution to support the school.

PARENT PAYMENT REQUESTS

Schools can request contributions from parents under three categories:

Curriculum Contributions

Voluntary financial contributions for curriculum items and activities which the school deems necessary for students to learn the Curriculum.

Other

Contributions

Voluntary financial contributions for non-curriculum items and activities that relate to the school’s functions and objectives.

Extra-Curricular Items and Activities

Items and activities that enhance or broaden the schooling experience of students and are above and beyond what the school provides for free to deliver the Curriculum. These are provided on a user-pays basis.

Schools may also invite parents to supply or purchase educational items to use and own (e.g. textbooks, stationery, digital devices).

FINANCIAL HELP FOR FAMILIES

Schools put in place financial hardship arrangements to support families who cannot pay for items or activities so that their child doesn’t miss out.
Schools have a nominated parent payment contact person(s) that parents can have a confidential discussion with regarding financial hardship arrangements.

SCHOOL PROCESSES

Schools must obtain school council approval for their parent payment arrangements and publish all requests and communications for each year level on their school website for transparency.

Pdf version attached:

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