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Parent Payment Policy and Voluntary Contributions
As term 4 nears the end, Bayside P-12 College has had a remarkable and positive year so far. As a school community, we are looking forward to a new year of teaching and learning and would like to inform you of our voluntary financial contributions for 2025 and 2026.
Bayside P-12 College is committed to excellence through innovative educational programs to enhance student outcomes, aimed at providing for the needs and interests of our students. We strive to ensure that the cost of items and activities is minimal and affordable for all parents. Each year, College Council meets to consider the school's financial position and prepare a budget to cover the educational programs, administration, facilities, and overall maintenance for the next school year. Although the Victorian Department of Education and Training provides funding to schools, it is not always enough to cover what is required to operate our many excellent programs.
Your contribution is valued and important to ensure that we have the resources and facilities necessary to provide the educational programs of a standard and quality that is expected by our college community.
Schools provide students with free instruction to fulfill the Victorian Curriculum, and we would like to assure you that all contributions are voluntary. The ongoing support of our families ensures that our school can provide the most suitable education and support for our students. We want to thank you for all your contributions, whether that's through fundraising or volunteering your time. Your contributions have made a significant impact on our school and the programs we can offer.
In our college, this support has enabled us to continue to provide for outstanding facilities and resources for our students. Our students have had access to a variety of materials and experiences that has enabled them to create and innovate. Our students’ wellbeing has been strongly supported by our Wellbeing/Mentor Program and School Wide Positive Behaviours.
The College Council greatly appreciates your contributions. I reach out to you to continue to provide your assistance so that we keep adding to the outstanding facilities and resources for our students.
For further information on the Department’s Parent Payments Policy, please see follow the link.
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/parent-payment/policy.
Safe active travel tips
As the warmer weather arrives, we see more students walking, cycling and using public transport to get to and from school.
Here’s a quick safety checklist to go over with your child before they commence their journey to and from school:
- plan the safest route – it might not be the quickest
- choose quieter streets with lower speed limits (ideally 40km/h or less)
- avoid busy roads and complex intersections
- discuss potential hazards and how to avoid them
- practise the route together before school starts
- avoid distractions like using phones when crossing roads
- cross roads at pedestrian crossings, pedestrian signals, and places where drivers can see them
- stand behind the yellow line at train stations
- always exit buses or trams onto the nearest footpath – never walk behind or in front of them to cross the road
- when cycling, prioritise bike and shared-use paths or roads with bike lanes
- ensure they wear a helmet when cycling – they reduce the risk of head injury by 74%
- make sure bikes have a bell, working brakes and a rear reflector.
Your child should also know:
- helmets are required by law
- it's illegal and unsafe for children under 16 to ride e-scooters in Victoria
- there are a range of laws about when and how e-scooters can be used, and significant penalties apply.
By actioning these simple steps, we can all enjoy the benefits of safe active travel.
To learn more, watch the TAC’s Safe Migration video here.
And click here to read the fact sheet (available in multiple languages) for more tips on safe travel to and from school.