1st day back at school and open the wallet

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

My boys year 12 and year 11 this year, today was the first day back.
come home with permission forms 45 chem excursion, $350 Deb ball, open wallet and bend over. I thought the school would of waited a bit longer after we had just spent on books and fees.
I drive a disco, not a new HSE Rangie, do I look like like I can afford all this:o

[Homestar]

Yep, it's that time of year again. Thankfully my oldest finished last year and is taking a gap year before going to uni and she has nailed down a full time job, but my youngest (Year 9) came home this arvo with an invoice for all the fees, etc for the year - over $700. They charge you for everything - the best one there is 'School Air Conditioning Program (Optional) - $45' - I told my young bloke we never had AC when I was at School... (Sounds a bit like the 4 Yorkshire men doesn't it...)

[tonic]

Stop it, I'm already in shock. My boy does not start school for another 2 years and we have been sending in enrolments and paying deposits left right and centre.


It appears the fees in our area could skyrocket with each school having 250plus applicants for around 130 spots. I can see what is going to happen, supply demand:(

The top end still has spots but I want to retire with something left:D

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

And now the govt is means testing the 1st year education bonus.
Now you need to be a welfare recipient to qualify, where previously every 1st year of school or 1st year secondary school you were entitled.
The gov' giveth and then they taketh away. must have cost them too much due to the insulation fiasco.

[Barra1]

My boys year 12 and year 11 this year, today was the first day back.
come home with permission forms 45 chem excursion, $350 Deb ball, open wallet and bend over. I thought the school would of waited a bit longer after we had just spent on books and fees.
I drive a disco, not a new HSE Rangie, do I look like like I can afford all this:o

Yeah - but as one could say:

I just don't think it is worth complaining about.:(

[DT-P38]

I just keep looking at the new school hall at my kids primary school... Without a single class room in it?!?

Then I look around at all the basic maintenance that is not performed (leaking gutters, toilets that don't work and grounds that are kept -just- by volunteering parents) and cringe when my ex-preppie (now a big grade 1!) tells me he was poking at maggot ridden dead rats during his first day back.

Is there an appropriate mechanism to use to start getting this debacle system cleaned up at grass roots? Should I call in the health department? Do we just give up on our kids having a chance at living in a "lucky country"? Surely we can all do something?

[clubagreenie]

I refused to pay the fees at my kids GOVT school. They want $125- quarter, plus "voluntary" contribution for A/c when ALL rooms have A/c already. There were no fees when I went, there's a government funding system. I pay enough in taxes to cover pro rata what they use. They said it was compulsory. Still waiting for them to show me the legislation/ruling/etc that says that. It was attempted to ban me from the P&C meetings by the last (now retired) principal until it was pointed out to her that it was Parents and Citizens not Teachers,P&C and she could be rufused to be there but not me.

DT-P38: Call the local paper or ACA/ T-T or take some pics and send to them. They'll have a field day with it.

[fclandy]

Well, in theory everyone pays taxes, and the government funds basic education for every child, regardless of where they are or what type of school they go to. There is additional funding to government schools (beyond the per-student funding) for facilities.
The bottom line is, however, that the government does not give the schools enough money to cover everything most parents would want for their children. i.e. the education the government funds is a lot less than what most expect.
This is NOT the fault of the school - principal, staff, or council. It is the fault of citizens who don't vote for and lobby politicians to give education spending a higher priority.

The only way a school can provide what most parents want is to ask parents for more money. In the case of a private school, a LOT more money. In the case of a government school, not so much, but still a struggle for quite a few to afford.
Some of the ask is for supplies - you could go buy it yourself, but it may not be (much) cheaper, and your kid may end up with something a bit different to everyone else, which in many cases won't matter.
Some of the ask is to fund stuff the government doesn't - extra subjects for example, or to enhance facilities and learning opportunities for students.

So it should be different, but it ain't. Where do we go from here?

As a citizen, you can let your local member know your views on education funding, and maybe even make that the key issue that decides your vote next time.

As a parent, you have options:
* get your school council to agree to lower fees, a smaller budget, and reduced facilities/options for the kids (but you'll need to convince most parents that it's a good idea - and there's no need to be obnoxious in the process)
* just don't pay on principle even though you can afford it - we're supposed to get a free education from the government aren't we? so take what you're given, and if the school provides extra out of the fees paid by other parents, enjoy the free ride at their expense
* don't pay, or pay less, because you just can't afford to. I know there are some at my kids school in this category, and I don't mind that their kids will benefit from money I pay.
* pay, and be glad that your school is providing better than just the bare minimum. Let the school council know your ideas about enriching your kids education, or where savings could be made (bearing in mind other parents may have different ideas)

I know from experience that parents who have trouble affording stuff will often pay whatever they can (like $5 towards the $25 excursion), rather than sponge off others, and will often also help in whatever other ways they can, like working bees or other voluntary assistance. It's the families with both parents in lucrative careers, with huge houses, multiple fancy cars, and frequent international holidays yet refuse to pay that I have trouble with.

[clubagreenie]

There's things like the new uniform we had 2 years to get (introduced june last year) and in the note for the school photos (august) no student who was in the old uniform would be allowed to have a photo. I organised an email and not to every household of the school to have every student in old uniforms on the day. Or the principal singling out students on a day of an after hours school activity (a presentation night) now none of the students singled out were receiving an award but they were made to sit separately to the rest of the school during an assembly and it was pointed out that they were a disappointment to the school because they would not be there.

These a two of the issue I have with the school and it's management, which has been changed this year after the principal "retired unexpectedly" (coincidently also within the same month we all complained about the singling out issue). So my issue is with the school not so much the system. Since I am the at home one at the moment I have done every school BBQ, sports carnival and other activity for the last two years. Even providing my own BBQ's as the equipment of the school just wasn't up to scratch and also organising through a contact 2 new BBQ's for them. So I think I do my bit apart from the money issue. that's only my own protest towards the management.

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

My sister's kid in primary school that had fees for toilet paper.
Then there are the book lists, some of those books are not even opened or used. Parents have to pay for them as it's supposed to be part of the curriculum. But it's up to the teacher to utilise them, some books are $70 each, try and pass them down to a sibling next year, no such luck because a newer addition is required. This happens year after year.