Finance

Sibling Discount:

The following discount on the SMPS Tuition Fee applies to families with more than one student at Stella Maris Parish School. External Sibling Discount The calculation of the sibling discount on tuition fees (above) can include students who have siblings attending another SA Catholic School. To access this discount for 2025, all eligible families who have children attending another SA Catholic School are required to complete the External Siblings section of the attached form. 

Other Costs:

The fees do exclude other ‘optional’ costs that will be dependent on the year level/s and interests of your child/ren. These expenses are incurred by students who wish to participate in those areas of school life. After school sport - per child per year based on sport nomination via QKR. CSMF Choir Per child - per year on CSMF choir nomination via QKR. Music Tuition- see relevant music tutor for these costs. Before & After School Care - these are billed and paid separately by our OSH provider - Our Patch.

Lower Income Fee:

Stella Maris Parish School has always supported families who require assistance with their school fees, and this will never change. SMPS offers families experiencing hardship a Low-Income Family Support Remission by application. The income thresholds for the Low-Income Family Support Remission align with the SA Government School Card Scheme. Families will automatically qualify for the Low-Income Family Support Remission by applying and being eligible to receive SA Government School Card. Proof of income is required, and applicants will need to apply via the State Government’s School Card scheme. Our Finance Officer can help you if you have any questions about applying for the lower income fee.

Fee collection:

Upon enrolling your child in a Catholic school, parents/guardians enter into a partnership with the school to engage, encourage, and support their child’s education. This partnership extends to families acting in good faith and spirit to fulfil their financial obligations to the school through their adherence to the agreed fee arrangement. The Stella Maris Parish School Fee Policy, underpinned by CESA Fee Policy exists to ensure a fair and equitable school fee collection process to all families enrolled at Stella Maris Parish School. 

What is Included:

The school fee covers costs in the school (apart from those funded through State and Commonwealth Grants) and includes costs associated with administration, grounds and cleaning expenses, utilities, ESO wages, general maintenance, office costs & financial charges. 

The fee also covers the cost of all classroom and curriculum support materials required by the teaching staff and students. Items covered by this charge include stationery, art and craft, photocopying, excursions and visiting artists. Costs associated with camps, swimming, and sport are also covered by this fee negating the need to send home further invoices throughout the year for these activities.

At Stella Maris we have laptops and iPads in all classes with Year 3 to 6 having access to a laptop.  The cost of these devices, programs/apps, licensing costs and our ICT infrastructure are covered by the school fee. 

The Capital Development Levy is charged to each family and is used to assist in building projects; capital improvement works or refurbishments. 

Payment Methods

Payments can be made in full, by instalment or by a payment plan. All families are encouraged to set up weekly, fortnightly or monthly direct debit payments

Payment options include:

• Qkr! App
• Direct Debit – deductions from your bank account (forms available from the office).
• BPay – reference numbers are printed on invoices and statements.
• Direct Credit Payment – Visa or Mastercard (forms available from the office).
• Credit Card - Visa or Mastercard (phone or attend the office).
• Cash to the office 

If you need assistance meeting payments or have any questions, please call the School Office. 

Stella Maris Parish School community and the Board are sensitive to the needs of refugee families and the hardship that fees may impose.

As a result, we provide a full exemption from payment of fees for children of refugee families in the first 12 months of their residence in Australia.

This exemption is applicable even if the child has come from another school or college during the 12 months.

Fee remission after the 12 months will be considered on an individual family basis.

This exemption applies only to those families who come under the family reunion or special humanitarian categories that are genuinely in need.