Dear Parents and Guardians

I write to you today to reassure families impacted financially by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that we want to assist you in every way possible to continue your child’s enrolment at St. Joseph’s.

As many in our school community grapple with unprecedented changes to finances, emotional wellbeing and physical health, we have taken a clear position on enrolments.

There has been a long-established policy in our St. Joseph’s Parish that no family is denied a Catholic education due to an inability to pay school fees. Catholic schools have provided fee relief to families since their beginning around 175 years ago and now again amidst COVID-19 we will do the same. No parent or guardian who wishes their child to receive a Catholic education at St. Joseph’s will be denied the opportunity to do so because of financial circumstances.

As you are probably aware, the Family Fee Assistance Scheme has been implemented at St. Joseph’s for several years. Families who hold a means-tested Health Care Card, Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran Affairs Pensioner Card qualify automatically for the scheme and pay a discounted family fee of $520 per annum ($10 per week).

If you are not eligible for the Family Fee Assistance discount yet are experiencing financial difficulty at this time, please contact our school business manager, Cathy Duynhoven via email in the first instance to cduyn@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au, so that we can explore confidential financial support arrangements to enable your child’s ongoing education at our school. After your initial confidential contact Cathy will then call and we will work through the options available.

Regards
Michael Gray, Principal.