2012 Curriculum Materials &

        Services Charges

The standard curriculum program is made up of the eight key learning areas agreed to by all the States and Territories and the Commonwealth. These are The Arts, English, Health and Physical Education, Languages Other Than English, Mathematics, Science, Studies of Society and Environment and Technology. The standard curriculum program includes the core learning and teaching activities associated with the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) and senior secondary certificates such as VCE and VCAL and VET programs that are part of VCE or VCAL

Within the broad and comprehensive curriculum offered at Junior and Senior Campuses, students consume or take possession of items/services which support the standard curriculum programs. These items/services are essential educational items for which the College charges an Essential Items Levy.  

At Bairnsdale Secondary College we make every effort to keep the cost of materials and services that need to be purchased or supplied to a minimum, while maintaining a high level of education for the students.

The College appreciates that families may sometimes experience financial difficulties in meeting payment requests. A range of support options are available to parents who have difficulty making payments including the School Start Bonus, Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and the State School Relief.

School Start Bonus

The School Start Bonus is paid to parent/guardians of Year 7 and Prep students at the beginning of the year to eligible families.

EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance)

EMA is provided to assist eligible families with the cost associated with the education of their children under the age of 16 years. Secondary students will receive $470 per year and is received in two portions. Half is paid direct to the College and must be spent on Educational items (those that parents can be expected to pay). Bairnsdale Secondary College will allocate these funds against Essential Educational Items. The remaining half is the parent portion and can be signed over to Bairnsdale Secondary College and will be allocated according to the family’s request or can be direct deposited into a delegated account.

For students who turn 16 during the year a pro rata rate is paid. Once the student turns 16 they can go to Centrelink to apply for Youth Allowance.

State School Relief

Provides assistance to families with uniform items.

For further information regarding these assistant programs, please contact the College Finance Manager.

Payments can be made to Bairnsdale Secondary College via cash, cheque, EFT (can be paid over the phone for credit cards) or by direct deposit (contact the College Finance Manager).

We also have many families who have signed up for payment plans via BPay, Centrepay or direct deposit.  These plans have been very successful as a number of students have been able to attend interstate and/or overseas excursions which they would not have been able to without a payment plan arranged by their families. Instalment plans are available to all families by contacting the Finance Manager on 5150 4802.

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION ITEMS

Essential Items Levy

These are items or services that are essential for your child’s education. DEECD states that parents/guardians are expected to buy or supply these items. Bairnsdale Secondary College purchases in bulk assuring that discounted prices are paid by families. There are also items that can only be purchased through the College. Bairnsdale Secondary College charges a flat fee across all year levels.

Computer Levy

Bairnsdale Secondary College prides itself in having computer software and hardware to keep up with the ever changing technology in the ICT field. This enables students to receive a high level of education instruction and access to this technology. All students have access to this equipment.

College Magazine

It is expected that all students will obtain a copy of the ‘Kinaway’, Bairnsdale Secondary College’s annual magazine.

ESSENTIAL CHARGES FOR PARTICIPANTS ONLY

Music Program

Bairnsdale Secondary College has an intensive music program where families can choose whether their child participates.

Camps, Excursions and Activities

There are numerous camps, excursions and activities that students are required to attend. In most cases payments will be requested. The cost charged per student reflects the total cost of the excursion for all students to attend 

VET

DEECD funds Bairnsdale Secondary College for students attending a VET subject. These funds are not sufficient to cover the cost of all VET subjects especially if they are taught off campus. There are subjects that cost over $2,500 yet the College receives under $800 per student for all subjects. Bairnsdale Secondary College charges a flat fee across all VET subjects to promote equity in the provision of curriculum for all students.

COLLEGE SUPPORT PROGRAMS (optional - per family)

Preamble

The College provides enhanced facilities and programs beyond the funding allocated by DEECD. The College requests that families consider acknowledging the value of these by contributing to the funding required ensuring that these facilities and programs are always provided at an optimum level to our students.

All funds contributed will be allocated to the specific purpose for which they are intended.

Buildings

At Bairnsdale Secondary College we have College owned buildings where the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) do not fund any maintenance. These buildings are used by the community as well as the College; we therefore ask for donations for the upkeep these buildings.

Building and Grounds Maintenance

Although DEECD fund the maintenance of their buildings and grounds; the buildings are getting old and the funding is not sufficient to cover the ongoing costs in maintaining them and the grounds on the two campuses.

Equipment and Maintenance

It is imperative that Bairnsdale Secondary College stays at the cutting edge of technology provision and maintains this equipment for students and staff. DEECD does fund a limited amount for equipment, but as we provide a more enhanced teaching and learning programs with this equipment the funding is insufficient.

Sports Program

Over the last 3 years, Bairnsdale Secondary College has had an increase in the number of teams participating in sporting activities up to state level. Bairnsdale Secondary College needs to subsidise these teams to enable them to participate in events.

Student Welfare Program

There is an increasing demand for Bairnsdale Secondary College to provide a greater range of and more targeted welfare programs to many students. This reflects the importance we place on the benefit of these programs to our community.