Back to School 2023
Welcome to the 2023 School Year
Welcome back to St Colman's School for another year. A warm welcome to our three new families. This newsletter contains a variety of information that will be of interest to you. If you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call.
Jane Lee - Business Manager
School Fees Information 2023
The attached letter explains the School Fees for 2023 including payment options etc.
SCHOOL FEE ACCOUNTS WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU TODAY.
Please complete the School Fees payment intentions form by clicking on the link below. If you intend paying via Direct Debit, a form will be sent home for you to complete and sign.
Camps Sports and Excursion Fund
The Victorian Government offers a Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) providing payments to assist eligible families to cover the costs of camps, sporting events and excursions.
If you hold a valid means-tested concession card you may be eligible for CSEF. The allowance will be paid to the school to use towards expenses related to camps, excursions, or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
The annual CSEF amount per student is currently $125 for primary school students.
Please see the school office for further information regarding Family Fee Assistance and the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF).
Family Fee Assistance
The Family Fee Assistance Scheme was introduced by the Ballarat Diocese in 2011. Families who qualify for CSEF will be able to apply for this scheme also. Families will pay $520 per annum for primary school tuition fees. The discounted fee covers tuition and capital fees only. It does not cover additional charges such as camps, book hire, subject levies. A brochure which outlines the details of the scheme will be available next year as will the application form. Although a family may be eligible to receive a fee discount, families may choose not to apply for the fee discount and pay the full school fee, likewise, families who are not eligible for CSEF may apply for a part discount if they are having difficulty paying their fees. No student will be excluded because of their parents’ inability to pay tuition fees. Please speak to Janet or Jane for more information or to obtain a form if you are unable to print one off.
SZapp and PAM
In 2020, we launched a new school website designed by Schoolzine. We also use the Schoolzine eNewsletter and SZapp, which are all integrated, to deliver the bulk of our communications to you. This has proved very popular as these products are very user friendly. If you have not already done so, please download the App. PIN number is 1823 for access.
PAM (Parent Access Module) is accessable via a tile on SZapp. All permission notes are sent out via PAM as are school reports. You can notify absences via PAM and this is the preferred method to do this as the information is then immediately available to the class teacher.
As you may be aware PAM accounts have undergone a significant upgrade over the school holidays. All families should have received an email asking you to reset your password on your PAM account.
It is important that once you have logged into PAM you update your child's medical profile details.
If you have not received this email or you cannot log in to PAM please either email jlee@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au or call Jane in the school office 55992285 asap for assistance.
Conveyance Allowance
The Conveyance Allowance assists families with the cost of transporting their children to and from school. To be eligible to receive a conveyance allowance you must:
Be aged between five years (by 30 April in the year that the allowance is sought) and 21 years.
Live more than 4.8km by the shortest practicable route from the nearest Catholic school attended, or, live more than 4.8 km from the nearest bus service.
If you believe you are eligible, please contact the school office.
Meals on Wheels Volunteers
St Colman's School volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels once per term. We have a small group of loyal volunteers who help us deliver this service but are always looking for others. Please indicate below if you would be able to help and on what days. You will then be contacted when our turn comes around.
Uniform Shop
The school uniform shop stocks navy polo shirts, navy sports shorts, new summer dresses, navy jackets, navy sports polar fleece jumpers, hats and school bags.
Other items such as shorts and pants and school jumpers can be purchased at Reicha's.
The School Advisory Council are currently considering some further changes to our uniform, in particular the school dress and pinafore. Details of this will be made available during the first term.
Lunch Orders
Lunch orders are available every day from Clarke's Cafe. Orders can be written on an envelope with money enclosed and are collected at school each morning by the senior students and then collected and returned at lunch time by Clarke's. We have not received an updated menu for 2023 so the prices will remain the same.
School House List
St Colman's combine with St Thomas' to form three sports teams. Red, Blue and Gold. The two schools combine for our swimming sports (held at the Mortlake pool in February) and athletic sports (held at the Terang Recreation Reserve in March). St Colman's hold our Cross Country alone at Tea Tree Lake in May. Children are to wear a polo shirt or T Shirt in the colour of their team on these days.