Ballarat High School is committed to providing the best possible educational opportunities for all students.
Parent Contributions assist the School to provide an enriched learning and teaching program for every student and maintain its high standards of education in quality facilities. Parent contributions supplement Government grants and are crucial to our budget.
The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 provides for instruction in the standard curriculum program to be free to all students in government schools. School Councils are responsible for developing and approving school-level parent payment charges and can request payments from parents only under the following three categories:
Curriculum Contributions
Extra-Curricular Items and Activities
Other Contributions.
Aims
To provide students of Ballarat High School a high standard of education, access to quality facilities and specialised programs.
To allow School Council to establish a structure for School charges.
School Council will, each year, determine the applicable amounts that parents of students attending Ballarat High School are requested to contribute.
The School will comply with the DET policy and guidelines for Parent Payments, and undertake the implementation and administration of this Policy in line with the guidelines.
In particular Ballarat High School will
Ensure all students will be treated equally and have access to the standard curriculum free of charge,
Ensure parent payments are set at levels not exceeding the cost of the materials and/or services being provided,
Parent payments will only be set under the categories of Curriculum Contributions, Extra-Curricular Items and Activities, and Other Contributions,
Parents will be provided with notice of requested payments in November of the preceding school year,
A range of payment options will be freely available and flexible arrangements may be requested in special circumstances,
All parents, but in particular those experiencing financial hardship, are encouraged to make use of the available government/community assistance options, second-hand sales opportunities, scholarships offered and/or make special arrangements with the school,
CASES 21 Finance package will be utilised at all times to accurately record all transactions, and provide reports/statements etc.,
Parent/carer/student details will remain confidential and only used for legitimate purposes within the School,
Communication with parents will primarily be via the following methods:
School Website (this page)
Parent Contributions brochure and detailed listing (PDF downloads via links below)
Parent Newsletters (published each fortnight)
Family Statements (provided to all families at least 3 times per year)
Compass Parent Portal
This policy was approved by School Council on 10th November 2021.
The Victorian Government is offering the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) in 2024.
Eligible families will receive $250 per student, paid into their family account at Ballarat High School each year.
Parents/students holding a means-tested concession card valid on Tuesday 30th January 2024 or Monday 15th April 2024, may be eligible. Foster parents and Veterans Affairs Gold Card holders may also be eligible.
Please note that payments do not cease at age 16, but continue whilst the student is attending secondary school
Completed forms, with a copy of your Centrelink Card, should be submitted to the Ballarat High School General Office each year.
The CSEF Application and Request Forms are available by clicking the link below. This form is now an editable PDF which can be completed online and emailed to ballarat.hs@education.vic.gov.au, or printed and returned to the General Office.
Students who are eligible for Camps, Sports and Excursion Funding in 2023 and are entering Year 7 in 2024 may qualify for the State Schools Relief Year 7 Uniform Package.
State Government funding has been provided to State Schools’ Relief to support parents in providing basic uniform garments and school shoes for eligible Year 7 students.
In summary;
students commencing Year 7 in 2024 and have applied for CSEF in 2023 or become eligible for CSEF in 2024.
2024 Year 7 Uniform Package applications are available from Monday 2nd October 2023
parents must apply through Ballarat High School, not primary school
a uniform voucher and a pair of school shoes, are offered
applications and funds will be administered by State Schools’ Relief
vouchers will be emailed to families for redemption at our retail supplier PSW
eligibility is the same as the CSEF
The Application Form, Shoe Sizing Chart and Fact Sheet are available by clicking the links below. The application form is now an editable PDF which can be completed online and then emailed to ballarat.hs@education.vic.gov.au, or printed and returned to the General Office along with a copy of your concession card.
Parents may be eligible to claim Conveyance Allowance to assist with travel costs, if they are attending their nearest government secondary school and live 4.8kms or more from that school, via the shortest practicable route. Some special circumstances and exceptions apply.
The shortest practicable route should be determined with reference to Google Maps or Bing Maps. Please use 1726 Sturt Street, Lake Gardens, 3355 as the Ballarat High School address.
All parents wishing to claim the Conveyance Allowance in 2024 must complete a new 2024 Conveyance Allowance Form and return it to the General Office with a copy of ticket or receipt.
Eligible applicants will be reimbursed by EFT in June and December 2024.
Under the Guidelines all schools may be subject to an audit of Conveyance Allowances.
Ballarat High School has registered as a participating school with PTV, which allows students with a new BHS ID Card (PTV logo on the back) to no longer need a separate PTV Student ID Card. Students will be required to carry the BHS ID Card as proof of entitlement to concession fares or to purchase a Student Pass.
As a reminder, it is highly recommended that all MYKI cards be registered to protect your funds balance, should the card be lost or stolen.
Please use the below links. The Conveyance application form is now an editable PDF which can be completed online and emailed to ballarat.hs@education.vic.gov.au, or printed and returned to the General Office
Saver Plus is a matched savings and financial education program that can assist low income families.
Saver Plus provides an opportunity to have every dollar saved (up to $500) matched with an additional dollar for the family’s education-related expenses. Saver Plus is an initiative of Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ Bank, delivered in Ballarat by Ballarat Group Training.
The program is funded by ANZ Bank and the Australian Government. Please contact Sue at BGT on (03) 5333 1707 for further details.
Please click on the below link for further information:
Centrepay is a free, voluntary service for Centrelink customers to pay expenses via regular deductions from their Centrelink payments. Deductions can be started, changed or cancelled at any time to suit the family’s circumstances.
