Enrolment at St Agnes'
As a Catholic School, our Catholic faith underpins all our actions. St Agnes' Primary School promotes a learning community where all aspects of education are nourished. We strongly value the notion of partnership in education, encouraging families to actively work with the school to meet every child’s needs.
Catholic primary schools in the Diocese of Lismore use the following order of priority for enrolment:
- Baptised Catholic children of Catholic families from within the parish/region.
- Children of Catholic families from within the parish/region. Children of other-than-Catholic families who currently have or have had siblings within the school (including children of employees of the Diocese of Lismore).
- Other-than-Catholic children transferring from another Catholic school, first from within the Diocese of Lismore, then from other Catholic Dioceses.
- Children who access parish early childhood services.
- Children are recommended for consideration by the Parish Priest.
- Children of other-than-Catholic families who are open to and supportive of the spiritual and religious possibilities offered by a Catholic school.
Children enrolling into kindergarten must turn five years of age on or before 31 July of the year of commencement. All children must be in compulsory schooling by their sixth birthday. Students are expected to start school at the beginning of the academic year.
Catholic primary schools in the Diocese of Lismore use an order of priority for enrolments. See our Enrolment Policy and Fees for more information.
School Zoning
St Agnes Parish primary schools work closely together to ensure a positive educational experience for you and your child. As such, a zoning system is used to direct enrolments based on proximity to schools.
If you have any questions about your zone, or if you are new and moving to the area, please contact the Parish education team at 02 6588 7444 or email them at enrol@stagnesparish.org.au.
How to enrol online:
Step 1. Prepare your enrolment documents
Step 2. Create an account and/or log in
Step 3. Create or update your child’s profile and your profile
Step 4. Create an application for your school.
BACKGROUND
To maintain our excellent Catholic Education system in the Diocese of Lismore, school fees are an unavoidable necessity. The Government subsidies which apply to your child/children are applied to providing the teaching establishment in each school and the specialist services for our schools. Building costs and the day to day running costs of our Parish Schools are the responsibility of the Parish.
The extent of that responsibility is understood when it is realised that these costs add up to millions of dollars annually. The bulk of this must be met from school fees, although to keep these fees as low as possible, the Parish subsidises these costs.
With the benefit of long experience, a benchmark fee has been established that is reasonable and relative to a normal household. This fee is adjusted annually to meet increasing costs and extraordinary items such as information technology, higher insurance premiums, new curricula etc.
THE FEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Justice and equity require that many factors should be taken into account in order that every family is treated equally. Factors such as the number of children, family income and employment situation all need to be considered.
To this end, the Parish has established a structure called 'The Fee Assistance Program.' In other words, parents may apply for a fee adjustment in light of their present circumstances. This is not seen as charity but an honest attempt to ensure that the burden of fees is applied justly and equitably to every family.
If you wish to avail yourself of this benefit, you are requested to contact the Education Team at the Parish
Administration Centre for the appropriate application form, or speak to the Principal. Any dealings in this regard are completely confidential.
PAYMENT OF FEES – TUITION FEES
Parish policy for the payment of tuition fees is by Direct Debit or, if applicable, Centrepay deduction direct from your Centrelink benefits. Direct debits can be paid in any of the following ways: 52 weekly instalments; 26 fortnightly instalments; 12 monthly instalments; 3 payments per year per invoice, or one annual payment. The annual payment, if paid by the due date, attracts a small discount, determined annually.
Other methods of payment by request include EFTPOS, BPAY and cash. Payments can be made either at the school or at the Parish Administration Centre. The Agreement to Pay Form, accepting responsibility for payment of school fees, should be signed by both parents and/or guardians whenever possible. This is a requirement for enrolment.
DISCOUNTS
Early payment and multiple student discounts are advised in December each year.
PAYMENT OF FEES – SUBJECT AND ACTIVITY COSTS
In addition to normal tuition fees, there are some additional charges depending on a student’s choice of sports and extra-curricular activities. Class packs are also charged annually. These bills are payable directly to the school via BPay, EFTPOS or cash and are to be paid in full each term, unless by prior arrangement with the front office.
DEPARTURES
It is a requirement that parents or guardians contact the school and complete the formal departure procedure. Otherwise, school fees may continue to be charged until formal notice is received.
CHANGE OF CONTACT DETAILS
Parents and guardians are responsible for advising any changes of address or other relevant contact details. The school and Education Team at the Parish Administration Centre should also be contacted regarding other significant issues which may alter or affect the ability to pay school fees.