Fees
Shearwater is a not-for-profit organization – hence all fees are used on your child’s education. We believe in giving the children the best we can which, in some areas, will actually mean we will spare no expense! But we’re also very conscious that for most parents, school fees are an important part of their budget and so we aim to strike a balance. Most certainly we strive to be as clear as possible as to how your money is used by the School, so please find below a detailed explanation of all the components of your children’s fees.Enrolment fee
An enrolment fee must be paid before your child can be registered on a waiting list or placed in a Class. An enrolment form that is not accompanied by a fee is not valid. $35 of this fee is non-refundable, and the remainder is only refundable if classes are full and there is no place available for your child.Enrolment Fees in 2007
| Playgroup | $20 | |
| Preschool and Kindergarten |
First Child | $100 |
| Siblings |
$50 each | |
| Primary School (Classes 1 - 6) |
First Child | $250 |
| Siblings |
$100 each | |
| High School (Classes 7 - 12) | First Child | $500 |
| Siblings | $250 |
Holding fee for leave of absence
If your child is away for an extended period during term, written notice addressed to the Administrator must be given to the Office beforehand. A $600 fee per term is required to reserve your child’s place in the Class, if they will be away for the entire term.Private tuition fees
Please note that any further one to one tuition (eg Curative Eurythmy, Music sessions, etc.) will be charged as agreed between teachers and parents and billed separately.Distance Education fee
For study by Distance Education, courses currently cost $800 per year. Shearwater will subsidise 50% of this, providing the student completes the course. In the case of withdrawal from a course, the family will be liable for the full cost.Building Levy
This is a levy of $110 per year per family to provide for the maintenance and upkeep of the school buildings. It is payable with the first term’s fees or, for new students, in the term you join the School.Accident Insurance
This is a compulsory charge levied on all children at Shearwater. The cost is $16.50 per year (subject to change by underwriter). Details of cover are available at the School Office.Notice of withdrawal of a child
One month’s notice in writing must be given before the withdrawal of a pupil from the School, otherwise a fee of $250 is payable.Fund raising
Parents and friends’ fund raisingAs with all privately funded schools, considerable help is required from all parents to assist in raising sufficient funds to enable the School to cover costs. Each year we hold events such as The Bush dance, Trivia Nights, etc. The funds raised in this way are vital and it is hoped that all parents will respond generously to this obvious need.
Donations
The Shearwater School Building Fund has been endorsed as a “Deductible Gift Recipient” by the Australian Tax Office, therefore all donations made to the fund are fully tax deductible.
As our school continues to grow and expand, there is an ongoing need to provide more teaching areas and facilities and government policy is currently directed to supporting the cost of school buildings via various tax concessions. We are asking each family to donate $152 per term to this fund.
Investments
In an expanding school like Shearwater, we are always planning new buildings, dreaming of new projects and... borrowing money! Maybe you would like to support the school with a direct investment? (Minimum amounts of $10,000 for 12 months). And, with indicative rates starting at 8%, this might be of interest to you ... please think about it! (Contact Stan in the School Office for more details.)
Payment of fees
Collection of feesThe School endeavours to keep educational fees to a minimum affordable level commensurate with the quality of education it provides, in order to maintain the running of the School. It is essential that fees be paid at the end of the first week of each new term. Unpaid fees create a serious cash flow obstacle for the School and it is an unpleasant task to chase parents for unpaid fees. Enrolling your child at Shearwater Steiner School is a commitment to fee-paying education. Please give serious thought to your ability to maintain this contract for twelve years before proceeding with enrolment.
Methods of payment
At the end of each term we begin the process of invoicing everyone for the next term’s fees and you should receive same by post during the school holidays. Please note that it is now also possible to get your invoices or a statement of your account via e-mail... so if this paper/mail free possibility is convenient for you please get in touch by email to accounts@shearwater.nsw.edu.au
Fees are due in full at the beginning of each term. If you wish to pay by installment, Paysmart, which is a direct debit from your nominated bank account, is the only method offered.
Please note: Unpaid fees will attract a late charge of $50 per $1000 overdue, and dishonoured cheques will incur a $35 fee to cover bank/administration charges. Please do not to send cash to School with your child. We will not take responsibility for cash that does not arrive at the Office.
Fees in 2007
Fees for Playgroup and Pre-SchoolPlaces in Play and Pre-school are reserved for a full term & fees are payable in one lump sum, at the beginning of each term – no discount is given for missed days.
Playgroup
1 day $100 per term ($12 per day)
Siblings can attend playgroup free of charge. No other household discounts apply.
Pre-school
1 day $150 per term
2 days $300 per term
3 days $450 per term
4 days $600 per term
5 days $750 per term
Household discount: $50 per term/per day for second and subsequent children, e.g. 2 days Preschool per week = $100 discount per term.
Fees (Tuition, Materials & Camps) for Kindergarten and Classes 1 to 12 in 2007
The following are the charges per term for your first child in School. There is a $150 discount per term for your second child, a $280 discount for the third, and a $570 discount for the fourth and subsequent children.
In Kindergarten and Classes 1 to 10, the following fees include all costs: tuition, materials, excursions, camps, etc.
Kindy: $898
Class 1: $942
Class 2: $930
Class 3: $998
Class 4: $1,095
Class 5: $1,195
Class 6: $1,160
Class 7: $1,237
Class 8: $1,237
Class 9: $1,412
Class 10: $1,556
Class 11 & 12: Tuition: $1,005 + Materials = Total per Term (will vary due to electives chosen).
Materials Costs for Preliminary and HSC Subjects:
Group 1: $75 per term. This covers any number of subjects within this group: Business Studies, English, Entertainment Industry, Mathematics, Philosophy, Society & Culture.
Group 2: $30 per term for each subject within this group: Biology, Drama, Music, Physics.
Group 3: $50 per term for each subject within this group: Design & Technology, Industrial Technology, Marine Studies, PDHPE, Photography, Video & Digital Imaging, Visual Art, Visual Design.
In order to spread the payment of fees, the fee structure for Years 11 and 12 have been calculated over 8 terms, which includes Term 4 for Year 12 when students sit their HSC examinations. (Invoices will be forwarded each term.)
Materials fees are levied with the term fees to cover the provision of basic materials used in all subjects and lessons. This includes all textbooks, pens, pencils and materials used in practical subjects. Students are issued with high quality materials and equipment. To encourage them to take care of their books and equipment, any request for extra or a replacement of lost equipment will attract an extra charge.
Click here to download all the Fees and Charges (Including materials chart) as a PDF Document
