IMPORTANT REMINDER

Families are reminded that students should not be attending school if there are any symptoms of illness. At the first sign of COVID or flu like symptoms please get tested and remain isolated until results are received. If your child comes to school exhibiting symptoms of illness, you will be called and asked to pick them up.

2024 School Fees & Levies

Please see the attached schedule of fees and levies for 2024.

Instalment 1 of $901.25 (for 1 student; $1,301.25 for 2 students; $1,701.25 for 3 students) is due by Friday 23 February 2024.

See information below if you would like to discuss a payment plan.

2024 Concessional Fee Policy

If you hold a valid government concession card (or similar), please see the attached Concessional Fee Policy and application forms.

If you have any questions regarding accessing Concessional Fees for 2024, please contact the office at accounts@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au

Payment Plans

We understand large payment outlays can be difficult and prefer that our families manage fees due through regular payments. These can be made via:

payment to the school bank account (details below)
direct debit payment set up using our bank direct debit service
CentrePay

Bank:	NAB
BSB:	083 347
Account No:	495 166 642
Account Name:	St John’s PS Footscray
Reference:	Please include the 4 digit Account Code at the top of your statement with your Surname

If you would like to speak to us about your fee payment plan, please see our bursar, Melinda or our principal, Emily.

ACCESS TO STATEMENTS AND PAYMENT HISTORY

A history of fees and ongoing payments may be accessed via the ICON Parent Portal, Finance tab https://portal.cev.vic.edu.au/ . If you do not have your username or password please contact admin@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au

Thank you

Melinda McNaught

Bursar

accounts@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au

Absences

Absences and Family Holidays

Please be aware that parents need to contact the school to give a reason for any type of absence or we will have to mark your child unapproved. Please refer below for ways to communicate absences with the school.

Parents are required to ensure their child attends school and to provide an explanation for their child's absence from school, and the principal must record in writing the reason (if any) given by the parent. The principal must be able to determine from the records if the excuse given was reasonable in terms of the parent meeting their legal obligations.

Parents should promptly inform the school of the reason for their child's absence so that the school can:

determine if the child's absence needs to be excused by the principal, in line with school policy and these guidelines
determine the appropriate follow up to ensure the child's education and wellbeing is supported
record if the parent has a reasonable excuse for not meeting their obligation to ensure their child attends school each day

Where possible, parents should inform the school in advance of upcoming absences to ensure a child's education and wellbeing are supported, parents are encouraged to communicate openly with the school where a child has an ongoing medical condition that may result in extended absences or medical appointments during school hours.

Family holidays will be approved if notification in writing to the Principal has been received in advance.

Parents are requested to log their child's reason for absence using either:

Via PAM (Parent Access Module) - see the attached "How To" guide
Email: admin@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 9687 3150 - from 8.30am

Please remember to detail your child's absence: "unwell" can mean a range of illnesses; please advise us of any particular symptoms ailments

Medications Reminder

Recently, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS) have updated their Medical Management Policy to ensure that schools meet their responsibilities and duty of care for managing the medical needs of children with diagnosed medical conditions, health care needs, wellbeing and/or personal care needs, to support students’ equitable access and participation in education.

This means that St. John’s will be implementing required changes to the management of supporting children with medical conditions, including those who require administration of medication during school hours.

What does this mean for families of children with a medical condition?

Please provide the school with the item/s required as soon as possible at the start of the year, as it is of primary importance that we have up to date Action Plans/Medication in case of an emergency.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Leonie in the office on 9687 3150 or admin@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au

Thank you for your assistance.

Parent Contact Details

Have your contact details changed?

If so, please log into PAM (Parent Access Module) and update your details or email the office via admin@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au so we can update our records. This includes changes to emergency contacts, additional numbers to call if needed and any changes to employment details.

Thank you

Melinda and Leonie

Parish News

Holy Family Parish