Private schools calls on parents for more money to fund capital works, birthday parties
Private schools may have given parents fee relief as the coronavirus pandemic hit hip pockets hard, but the wealthy institutions want more cash. Here’s why.
Education
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An elite private school which received up to $13m in JobKeeper grants is charging parents to help fund upgrades to the school’s rowing sheds and other items.
Wesley College leaders wrote to parents telling them an additional $200 to $500 levy would be imposed each year despite the freezing of tuition fees in 2021.
It will be spent on capital works.
Many private schools have also frozen 2021 fees in a bid to provide parents some relief.
It comes as many independent schools have found they are not eligible for JobKeeper funding in the second round.
Despite these financial pressures, the independent sector is buoyed by retaining just about all enrolments for 2021 despite the pandemic recession — even though an estimated third of parents are not paying full fees.
Edmund Rice Education Australia, which runs a number of Victorian Catholic schools, said no student would be turned away despite an inability to pay fees.
However, some of Victoria’s richest schools, including those who received multi-million JobKeeper grants, are asking parents to pay more to help bail out other parents.
Geelong Grammar, which is charging $42,450 a year in 2021, continues to invite parents to make donations to school coffers through its COVID relief fund.
The school, heavily reliant on boarding income, has also claimed millions in JobKeeper.
The Knox School, which also received JobKeeper, is also asking parents to donate to its 40th birthday celebrations in 2022.
Caulfield Grammar is also calling for parents’ donations to its hardship fund, which received a $1m boost from its foundation board. Melbourne Grammar is also asking for parents to pitch in to help other parents.
Andrew Pelgrim, director of marketing and admission for Wesley, defended the new levy and the school’s receipt of JobKeeper funds.