Generous school parents pass on discount to struggling families

Some families at a Brisbane private school have decided not to take up an offer of discounted tuition fees this term, telling the school to pass that reduction onto families who are struggling.

St John Fisher College has offered families a 10 per cent discount for term 2 tuition fees.

SOME families at a Brisbane Catholic girls school have decided not to take up an offer of discounted tuition fees this term, telling the school to pass that reduction onto families who are struggling.

St John Fisher College in Brisbane’s north offered all parents a 10 per cent reduction in tuition fees for term 2, in line with a range of financial measures provided by Brisbane Catholic Education to all its schools.

However college principal Cathy Galvin said some families did not wish to take up the offer.

St John Fisher College principal Cathy Galvin (centre) with students.

“Some families have let us know that they were not negatively impacted by COVID-19,” she said.

“These families have generously offered for that reduction to be passed onto families who are struggling or the College Bursary fund.

“Such generosity is an example of the depth of community connection and compassion that exists in the St John Fisher Family.”

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The new St John Fisher College Bursary is an initiative of a group of 2019 Year 9 students and aims to support new and existing families who are experiencing financial hardship.

Tuition fees at the college are $2304 per annum for the eldest child and $1382 for the second.

The entrance to St John Fisher College at Bracken Ridge. Picture: Michelle Smith

Ms Galvin said the college had a “dual fold responsibility” to both students and their parents or caregivers.

“The economic impact of COVID-19 touches everyone, some with greater effect than others.

“With this is mind, the college is resolute in minimising, as much as possible, the financial stress emanating from paying school fees.

“A multifaceted approach is used to assist families struggling to pay school fees who approach the school.”

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This includes the suspension of fee payments for 10 weeks, and fee concessions for families where the financial impact is greater and more long-term.

To date, St Joseph’s Nudgee College at Boondall is the only Queensland Catholic school in the Edmund Rice network to announce a 10 per cent discount for term 2 tuition fees.

Anglican Church Grammar School at East Brisbane has also discounted term 2 fees by 10 per cent, and St Peter’s Lutheran College at Indooroopilly has reduced fees by 15 per cent.

Stuartholme School at Mount Coot-Tha has refunded most of the co-curricular fees already paid for term 2, and other schools have been working with parents on different payment options.