Where does your school gets its money from? Explore the data for hundreds of South Australian public schools

Schools need money to provide a quality education — but how is the funding pie divided at your school? Our searchable table shows each public school’s revenue from government, fees and parent fundraising. SEARCH THE RESULTS

Flagstaff Hill R-7 School principal Jane Waltham says sharing fundraising duties between a large pool of parents has provided a funding boost with tangible benefits for students. Picture: Morgan Sette

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Parents who have organised a school fundraiser will know the drama and curveballs thrown at them, but what about organising a dozen in one year?

That is the effort parents at Flagstaff Hill R-7 School go to in raising around $30,000 each year to top up their existing government funds and school fees.

Principal Jane Waltham said the secret to the school’s success was sharing the load between many parents instead of relying on a small group.

“The parents have taken the bull by the horns and rather than a random fundraiser when people feel like it, the events are like a well-oiled military operation,’’ she said.

“Every term there are three or so fundraisers, and a lot of them will be community events bringing in a lot of people.’’

As our education data series continues, The Advertiser has created a searchable database showing the funding sources for each South Australian public school — state and federal government grants, school fees paid by parents, fundraising and revenue from other sources.

To explore this data, either search by school name or click on the arrows for each category to filter the data in either ascending or descending order. For best usability on mobile devices, switch your phone to landscape orientation or tap here if using our app.

The money raised by the mums and dads of the 626 Flagstaff Hill students allows the school to improve facilities, such as the recent installation of a $14,000 water cooler.

“There is a disco, the usual quiz night, we do an Easter raffle, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day there are items for the kids to buy, there is a students’ art show sale, and a good fundraiser will make about $2000,’’ Ms Waltham said.

“We will do the colour run this year and I have heard schools can raise through sponsorship from about $5000 to $50,000.’’

The parent fundraising is achieved over and above the school fees collected from Flagstaff Hill parents, which total around $290,000 each year.

South Australian Primary Principals Association head Angela Falkenberg said parents using the above table must be aware that the capacity of parents to pay fees and donate funds varied widely between different school communities.

“Fundraising is always, always dependent on the economy around the school and the disposable income of the parent group and the surrounding area,’’ she said.

“Some fundraising committees work their butts off to raise $2000 every year, and at one school I headed the amount they raised at one fundraiser left me almost speechless.

“But you know what, I never met a fundraising group that wasn’t so dedicated to what they were doing.’’

The Advertiser has also created a searchable database of the highest annual fee (usually for the highest year level offered at that school) charged to parents at our public schools.

To explore this data, either search by school name or suburb, or click on the arrows for each category to filter the data in either ascending or descending order. For best usability on mobile devices, switch your phone to landscape orientation or tap here if using our app.

South Australian Association of School Parent Communities president Jenice Zerna warned parents searching for information on their prospective school that fees were not the only cost.

“For the school fees, the amount that will show in the database may just be the beginning and may not include optional extras like excursions, school camps, instrumental music fees, laptops and uniforms,’’ she said.

Australian Education Union vice-president Dash Taylor Johnson said the fees charged by public schools showed they are not adequately funded or supported.

“The materials and services charge acknowledges the shortfall in funding to every public school,’’ he said.

“These fees vary significantly between each school site and can negatively impact on families.’’