Dear Parents and Carers,

Catholic Schools Week

This year, Catholic Schools Week (CSW) will be held from 28 February - 6 March. The theme for 2021 is ‘Faith in the Future’. This theme is shared with dioceses across the country as together we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in Australia.

As we pause this week to reflect on the precious gift of Catholic education, we remember the intergenerational contributions that preceded us and that we continue to build upon. Since the very first Catholic school was established, countless children and young people have benefitted from the dedication and commitment of parents and staff in our Catholic schools.

The week is designed to be a lively celebration and shared with members of our parish and the wider Catholic community—all in a COVIDsafe way. Our school is planning a number of activities that showcase our wonderful learning opportunities and the accomplishments of our students. 

Open Day

Catholic Schools Week marks the start of our student enrolment for 2022.  We are having an Open School where we invite all prospective families to come and visit our school to see what we have to offer.  If you know of any families interested in a great school please spread the word about our Open School on 3 March 2021, 3.00pm-5.00pm.   Also if there are younger siblings who will be starting school in 2022, enrolment forms are now available  from the School Office.

2021 school fees are due payable by 27th February 2021 or the first instalment is to be paid. Any accounts not paid in full must have completed a Request to pay school fee instalment.  Accounts with no approved instalment schedule will be seen as overdue and you will receive notifications.

Request to pay instalments - please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on your school’s website or at your school’s office.  On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au office or submit at your school’s office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your account and a schedule of payments and due dates will be provided on your next school fee statement.  Please note it is only necessary to complete this form once during the period of child/children’s enrolment, unless you wish to amend your payment frequency. This form needs to be completed by families who have paid by instalments in previous years and haven't filled out the form.

Direct debit - Families who have completed a CDF Direct Debit form are to indicate the frequency and amount. Please ensure the amount and frequency matches the suggested ‘schedule’ on the last page of your fee statement. Should your direct debit not be the amount or higher than the scheduled amount, you will receive reminders via SMS and email that your account is overdue. 

The school or CEOoW cannot alter the direct debit amount without your authority. Please check the schedule against your debited amount to ensure it covers the due amount. The direct debit will continue deducting until you instruct the bank (via the CDF direct debit form) to cease or suspend payments. Setting up payment in BPAY is a great way to manage your payments and we encourage you to pay via BPAY rather than direct debit.

BPAY - Please check against your statement with the suggested ‘schedule’ on the last page of your fee statement and setup up your regular BPAY payments according to your schedule. Should the payment be less, then you will receive reminders via SMS and email that your account is overdue.

DIFFICULTY WITH PAYMENT

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, we encourage you to contact the school to discuss an arrangement that will assist you meet your commitments.  This may include the completion of a Diocesan Application for Fee Concession which is available from the administration office of each school.  Be reassured that your situation will be treated with strict confidentiality and respect for your circumstances. We encourage you to make this contact before the 28 February 2021 otherwise, the system will start sending you overdue reminders via SMS and email.

Please ensure that you ‘Add Attendance Note’ in Compass on the day your child is absent. Parents will receive a text at 11:00am asking for an explanation to all unexplained absences. 

Emails to teachers cannot be accepted as the reason for absence, you must complete an attendance note in Compass. Feel free to contact the teacher via email should you feel the teacher needs to know further information.

The uniform shop is still open by appointment - phone the office to make an appointment. 

Items are from $7 each.  We are always looking for donations of preloved uniforms that no longer fit your child. Please feel free to send in uniform donations to the school office.