The prime purpose of all fees and levies is to raise funds that will be used to provide quality educational outcomes and experiences. Parents, through their commitment to St Stephen’s Catholic College, have a responsibility and obligation to pay college fees and levies by the due date. Students seeking a Catholic education are not excluded from attending St Stephen’s because of financial hardship. Families who experience genuine difficulty meeting fee and levy payments are asked to contact the college Principal to make special arrangements.
Tuition Fees: Tuition fees are an annual fee that is generally charged quarterly. Tuition Fees are set for all Catholic schools and colleges in the Diocese by Catholic Education Services, Diocese of Cairns. Discounts on tuition fees are provided to families when there are two or more students enrolled in Diocesan Catholic schools. Refer to your enrolment package for fee schedule details. These tuition fees contribute to most educational costs including tuition.
Learning Area Levies: Learning area (or subject levies) are charged quarterly to cover the costs of consumables, photocopying, materials used by students and teaching materials specific to particular learning areas. These levies are charged per student. The learning area levy for Years 7, 8 and 9 in 2019 will be $320.00 and $360.00 for Years 10, 11 and 12.
Building Levy: The building levy is an annual levy charged quarterly to families for children attending St Stephen’s Catholic College. As a family levy this fee is $520.00 per family, regardless of how many children attend St Stephen’s Catholic College.
General Purpose Levy: The general purpose levy is charged to offset the costs of students’ involvement in pastoral activities, bus travel to special activities and sports, student record book (school diary), feast day celebrations, the issuing of student IDs, participation in subject competitions, school camps, excursions and attendance at Arts Councils. With larger activities such as camps, retreats and social outings the levy offsets these costs and families may be required to make a smaller contribution to cover the costs of such activities. The general purpose levy for 2019 is $540.00.
Technology Levy: This levy contributes towards the increasing technology costs of providing broadband connectivity, wireless connectivity and the increased costing for technical support. All year 7 – 12 students utilise technology within the college. The levy is $160.00 per student.
One to One Device Levy: Students in years 7, 8, 10 and 11 in 2019, are issued with a one-to-one device which attracts a payment of $75.00 per term ($300.00 per annum) which is added to school fees.
Instrumental Music: Instrumental music lessons are an elective offered to students wishing to develop instrumental skills. The program offers tuition on stringed instruments, keyboard, woodwind, brass and percussion. Students attend lessons either individually or in a small group during the school day. The lesson times may be rotational or constant at the principal’s discretion. Lessons are delivered by either private tutors or staff employed with Catholic Education Services. Expressions of Interest are taken where waiting lists exist. Invoices will be sent out in advance with Term Fees. The instrumental music tuition fee is $150.00 per term per student. In order to accommodate for public holidays, school carnivals or curriculum activities eight (8) half hour lessons will be allocated to the student each term. Music books will be purchased on behalf of a student and billed as they are issued.
Parents and Friends Levy: The Parents and Friends levy is $40.00. This levy is invested back into the college infrastructure under the guidance of the sitting P&F Executive. Recent purchases have included upgrading the college instrumental program, lighting for evening events, new bus shelter and large trees to provide shade for students.
Lock for Student Locker: A once only charge of $30.00 is charged to all students who receive a prescribed lock useable for their years at St Stephen’s. Any replacement is paid for by the student. Only prescribed combination locks which are master-keyed by the College may be used.
Payment options: Accounts are issued quarterly and are due within 14 days of the date of issue. Payment can be made by monthly or fortnightly instalments, including credit card and direct debit options. Please contact the School Officer Accounts, to arrange a payment plan.
Up-Front Payment: Families who elect to pay the full year’s fees and levies during the first term of school will receive a 5% discount on all fees and levies.
For more information on Fees and Discounts visit the Catholic Education website.
