Principal's Report

As we near the end of the 2024 school year I would like to wish a few staff all the best as they begin a new professional journey for 2025. Nick Watts will be moving to Glowrey Catholic Primary School, Shantelle Collins who is moving to Marymede College, Ariel Tovey is also moving a bit closer to home at St Mary’s in St Kilda, Victoria Parkes who is moving to Sacred Heart Primary in Diamond Creek and finally Sandy Kapaila who has taken a new role at Our Lady of the Way, Wallan. I would like to wish them all the best on behalf of the St Joseph’s School Community.

In 2025 we welcome many new staff who will bring with them amazing professional experiences and knowledge. I would like to introduce Karly Nott, Stephanie Bednarz, Brooke Fitzgerald, Tom Accosta and Monique Jackson who have all accepted classroom roles for 2025. As well as Paris Farrugia, Stacey U’Ren, Andrea Italia, Andrea Lemish, Kerry-Ann Bayliss, Kaitlyn Mathieson and Lidia Gauci who have all been appointed in the role of Learning Support Officer across the school. 

Today all families will also receive a letter informing them of their child’s 2025 teacher. This is to support our new transition program which will consist of three stepping up days over the coming two weeks. The aim of these days is to allow time for the students to connect with their new classroom peers, classroom environment, learning support officer who will support in the space and finally their classroom teacher. Please note that many hours were dedicated by staff to create the class lists. In 2024 parental requests were not a factor in the placement of students and as student allocation is set this will not be changed. 

I am very pleased to announce the staffing allocations for the 2025 school year. 

Dear Parents and Carers,

2025 Annual Tuition Fee

I am writing to provide you details of changes in tuition fees for the 2025 academic year.

Any decision to adjust tuition fees is never made lightly, nor without careful and thorough consideration of our students’ needs and our school’s capacity to provide an education experience that supports every student to flourish.  We are also cognisant of the financial pressures that many families have experienced this year.  

St Joseph’s, too, is facing increasing costs in multiple areas of school operations, including WorkCover premiums, Child Safety compliance, risk management, teacher resources and professional learning, and higher central system costs.  

Our tuition fees at St Joseph’s, are also influenced by the Commonwealth Department of Education’s calculation of our community’s ability to financially contribute to the operating costs of our school, known as the Capacity to Contribute, or CTC, which is reviewed annually.

School funding is complex, so I have included with this letter a simple school funding “explainer” which I hope will support your understanding of how the government funds Catholic (and other non-government) schools and how tuition fees support our school. 

To ensure that we can continue to deliver a personalised, high-quality education that is responsive to the diverse interests and academic, social and emotional needs of our students, it is necessary to adjust our fees in 2025.

Please find attached the 2025 School Fees and Levies schedule which provides a more detailed breakdown. Please note the latest school fee statements were distributed via the eldest child in week 2 of this term.

Thank you to our families who have now settled their account for the 2024 school fees.For those families who have not yet committed to the full payment of their 2024 school fee payments please note our payment options are as follows-

1. Direct debit (please see "Reminders" tab for form)

2. Payment via EFTPOS or cash directly at the school office

3. Families may wish to make a direct bank transfer into the school bank account using the following details                

                             Account name - St. Joseph's Primary School               

                             BSB - 083 347                

                             Account number - 75 4506286                

                             Reference - Eldest child's name and family name

Should you wish to pay the school fees in a lump sum this payment is now overdue and we kindly ask that you settle your account as soon as possible.

If your account is not settled by Friday 29th November we are unable to guarantee enrolment for the 2025 school year. As clearly stated on your child's initial enrolment you commit to the payment of the school fees as a condition of continued enrolment for your child.

For families experiencing financial difficulties please refer to the Concessional Fee Policy on our website for more information.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the fee increase, or wish to discuss your individual circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact me.  We remain committed to keeping tuition fees as low and affordable as possible, and to working closely with our community to make this transition as smooth as possible. 

Thank you for your understanding.  I am grateful for your ongoing support and trust in our school.

Julie McDougall

(Principal)