Scotch College reveals 2024 Year 12 fee to top $30,000

The private school fees for next year are being revealed – and they’re not the Christmas presents many families were hoping for. Check the list.

Private schools have handed parents fee hikes of as much as six per cent for next year, while fees at two top schools for senior students will surpass $30,000.

While a majority of Catholic schools have frozen fees for another year many independent schools have imposed increases of four or five percent.

Putting a child through year 10, 11 or 12 at St Peter’s College in 2024 will cost families $31,190, an increase of 5.9 per cent on this year’s fee.

At Scotch College the fee for those year levels has risen to $30,360, up 4.8 per cent.

Christian Brothers College, Blackfriars Priory and St John’s Grammar have all imposed five per cent hikes.

Mum Kirsty McClory knows it will be a financial challenge to send daughter Isla to private school next year but is prepared to make the sacrifice.

Isla, 11, will start year 7 at independent Woodcroft College where her fee will be $8100.

The cost of year 12 at the college has risen 4.6 per cent from $9800 to $10,250.

Ms McClory said Isla began her schooling in Reception at Woodcroft College but she had to make the decision to move her daughter to the public system after she finished Year 2 because of financial pressures.

Ms McClory said it would be a “huge” commitment to return to private schooling - including increasing her work hours - but Isla would benefit.

“It is a massive financial undertaking for me,” said the 41-year-old, who works as a receptionist and runs a side-business, Once in a Balloon Moon, making gifts and decorations.

Scotch College students on campus. Picture Dean Martin

Scotch College fees include facilities and programs to boost student health and wellbeing, such as pilates and yoga. Picture: Dean Martin

“(But) private school does seem to have more oportunities for your child. Having seen both sides of the coin for my child, you can see the difference.

“I think it is something that’s becoming more of a consideration (for parents).”

Ms McClory said her daughter, who loves drama and dance, was excited to return.

“When we went to year 7 orientation we both said it felt like coming back home again,” she said.

“It really does feel like your child matters there.”

Association of Independent Schools of SA chief executive Anne Dunstan has said schools “are subject to same economic pressures as other organisations and the rest of society, including inflation and rising costs of utilities”.

She said independent schools “work hard to maintain fees at affordable levels” so that they can deliver a quality education and attractive employment conditions.

Addressing the 5.9 per cent fee increase at St Peter’s College, that school’s council of governors chairman Mark Balnaves said the jump was “in line with the latest consumer price index for Adelaide”.

Kirsty McClory and daughter Isla, who will start year 7 at Woodcroft College in 2024. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“The majority of the increase is directly attributable to staff costs, but also includes the impact of rising operating costs, in particular electricity and insurance.”

In August, Catholic Education SA announced 84 schools would freeze fees in 2024, for the third year in a row.

They include 59 primary schools, 22 secondary schools or combined colleges, two special schools and special assistance school Compass Catholic Community, which remains fee free.

“At a time when South Australians are experiencing high inflation, increasing interest rates and mortgage pressure, families need affordable school fees more than ever,” Catholic Education SA executive director Neil McGoran said at the time of the announcement.

Catholic schools to have announced 2024 fees so far - which remained steady at 2023 rates - include Cabra Dominican College ($11,490), St Mary’s College ($9800) and St Columba College ($4950).

Analysis by The Advertiser earlier this year found fees charged at 12 top independent and Catholic schools had blown out by between $3160 and $8360 in the past decade.

The biggest increases over that period were at Walford Anglican School for Girls (39.7 per cent), St Peter’s Girls’ School (37.2 per cent) and Pulteney Grammar School (36.6 per cent).

The smallest fee increases were at Mercedes College and Rostrevor College (both about 28 per cent) and Scotch College (29 per cent).