Adelaide Catholic schools offer free entry for Reception kids for mid-year intake

Most of SA’s Catholic schools will drop the $1300 fee for families with kids starting Reception later this year. And there’s no catch.

Families will be able to enrol new Reception students free at most Catholic schools for the second half of this year.

Tuition fees and compulsory charges – costing an average $1300 – will be waived as Catholic Education SA moves to help families and bring more students into its system.

Parents will still need to pay for uniforms and extra-curricular items.

“The initiative is one of a number announced by the SA Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) that are designed to reduce the financial burden on families,” Catholic Education SA Neil McGoran said.

“Last year, we offered fee relief to any family unable to pay school fees due to the financial impact of COVID-19.

“This year, we reduced the school fees in every Catholic primary school in the state.

“These reductions are now in place with an average reduction of $450 per student.

“When you add that up – across all our primary schools – that is $7.5 million back in the pockets of parents.”

The free entry will apply to more than 70 schools run by the Catholic dioceses. A further 10 Catholic schools, which are separately governed, are being encouraged to also waive fees.

Among these, Loreto is offering a considerable discount, charging $3000 for Terms 3 and 4 compared with $11,835 for a full year in Reception.

Rostrevor, which also is separately governed, said it was not in a position to offer free tuition but worked with families to manage their individual circumstances.

Dr McGoran said there would not be an obligation for students to remain enrolled but he was confident “once a family experiences our quality care and learning opportunities, we are sure that they will want to stay”.

Mid-year Reception students usually remain at that level for another four terms the following year.

St Joseph’s Hectorville Reception students Silvio, 5, Isabelle, 5 with teacher Christina Costanzo. Picture: Morgan Sette

The mid-year intake of Reception students at Catholic schools totalled 976 last year, up from 842 in 2019.

Across all years, Catholic Education SA enrolments were 46,846 as at February this year, up from 45,241 at the same time last year.

The fee-free initiative will be available for students who turn five on or before October 31. It will apply to all families and will not be means-tested

“All Catholic primary schools have a ‘lower-income fee’, which gives a discount to families who can’t afford the full fee,” Dr McGoran said.

“This applies across all year levels and families who start mid-year may be eligible to access the lower-income fee in following years.

“Eligible families can access a 40 per cent discount on their school fees.”

St Joseph’s Hectorville principal Liz Thomas said a mid-year intake provided “a gentle and smooth transition into a school setting”.

Reception teacher Romina Belperio with future students Stella, 4, and Xavier Morrison, 4. Picture: Morgan Sette

“It provides children with additional time to develop a sense of belonging,” she said.

Parent Lisa Mignone, whose has had two of her three children enrolled at mid-year, said it was very beneficial.

Her son, Silvio, 5, had gained confidence and “has been so enthusiastic coming to school”, she said.

“I’ve made so many friends,” Silvio said.

Fellow student Isabelle, also 5, said she was really enjoying being “a big Reception girl” this year after already spending half of last year at the school.

Reception teacher Christina Costanzo said the extra terms helped the children become confident and capable learners.

Teacher Romina Belperio will start working at St Joseph’s in July, along with the mid-year Reception students.

“I’m really looking forward to teaching this new class,” she said.

The Education Department does not have a mid-year intake for Reception.