News from the Office
Essential Student Learning Items
Please see the attached DET FAQ regarding Parent Payments in Victorian Government Schools and the Armstrong Creek School Parent Payments 2020 letter that was distributed at the end of the 2019 school year. These documents provide a detailed explanation of the types of Essential Student Learning Items that we have deemed essential to student learning and that you are required to pay for.
Payment for these items was to be made at the start of the year (or start of Term if you weren’t enrolled with us at the commencement of the year) unless you opted to sign up to a payment plan. Other payment options include utilising Centrepay to make regular deductions from your Centrelink payment. Please contact the school should you require more information on this service.
If you have already paid in full, thank you, we appreciate your co-operation in paying for these items that have been purchased on your behalf to used by your child/ren during the year.
Should the account have slipped your mind and you wish to immediately make a payment, you can do this via bPay using your unique bPay number which is located on the left hand side of your Family Statement.
Please contact the office for support if you have any difficulties locating this number.
Alternatively, please contact us to make an appointment in order to discuss the ways in which we can support you in meeting your financial obligations.
CSEF
WHAT IS IT?
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments for eligible students to attend activities like:
- school camps or trips
- swimming and school-organised sport programs
- outdoor education programs
- excursions and incursions.
Payments are $125 per Primary School aged student per year and $225 per Secondary School aged student per year.
Applications for 2020 are now open and will close on 26 June 2020 (end of Term 2).
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
On the first day of term one (28 January 2020) or the first day of term two (23 April 2019), a parent or legal guardian of a student must:
- be an eligible beneficiary of one of these cards:
- OR they must be a temporary foster parent
- OR the student is 16 years or older and holds a valid concession card (such as a Youth Allowance Health Care Card)
- AND the parent or legal guardian must submit an application by the due date.
Parents who receive a carer allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF unless they also comply with the above.
Eligibility will be determined when the parent’s concession card successfully validates with Centrelink on either the first day of term one or term two.
HOW TO APPLY
Contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from COMPASS by clicking on the Community Icon \ School Documentation \ Parent Information \ CSEF \ CSEF Application Form
NEW FOR 2020
If you applied for CSEF at ACS in 2019, you do not need to complete an application form in 2020 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:
New student enrolments: Your child has started or changed schools in 2020 or you did not apply at ACS in 2019.
Changed family circumstances: Such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2020.
Please check with the school office if you are unsure.
- Veterans Affairs Gold Card
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Pensioner Concession Card