Scotch freezes pay rises and fees in coronavirus fight
One of Melbourne’s most expensive schools has vowed not to increase fees next year in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. But the price of an education at elite Scotch College still won’t come cheap.
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Scotch College has frozen fees and staff salaries for 2021, saying it wants to give families certainty during these difficult times.
In a letter sent this week, signed by headmaster Tom Batty and school council chair Dr David Kemp, the school said it was “conscious that the economic difficulties arising from the measures to control the pandemic will continue into next year and that families will continue to be impacted by the crisis”.
“At this time, reducing uncertainty about the future is important. Accordingly, we are pleased to inform you that the college council has decided that there will be no increase in the annual tuition and boarding fees for next year. Across the school, there will be no annual salary increases,” they told families.
Fees for Year 9- 12 students at the elite Hawthorn school will remain at $35,925 a year or $11,975 in three instalments.
Boarding at the school will be just under $28,548 a year on top of tuition fees, paid in three $9516 instalments.
The school will follow the state government school timelines with a return to face-to-face teaching from next Tuesday. Years outside of Years 11 and 12 and prep to Year 2 will return on June 9.
“Current provision of onsite supervision for boys unable to work from home will continue and, under clear guidelines, and in reduced number, boarders will start to return to the Hill from this weekend,” Mr Batty and Dr Kemp said.
The school said it understood the financial circumstances for scotch families were varied.
It said it was “fair and responsible for the school to direct assistance to families according to need’.
“The school has already announced that any family facing financial hardship, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be supported by the school to maintain the scotch connection for their sons, and families in this position can approach the school …”
Based on the 2020 fee schedule the fees for prep to Year 1 will be $28,728 or three instalments of $9576.
Year 2 is similarly priced with Year 3 to 6 $30,777 or three instalments of $10,259.
Years 7-8 is three instalments of $11,492 or $34,476 in one hit.
Tuition accounts are sent in August in the year before study and in January and April of the current academic year. In standard practice for non-government schools a full term’s notice is required for withdrawal otherwise fees will be levied.
For international students boarding at the school the fees are just under $80,000. International students who are day students pay about $50,000.
Flanked by the Yarra River and set in leafy Hawthorn, scotch applicants have to pay a $100 non refundable application fee and on acceptance of an offer a non-refundable $1500 enrolment fee.
Scotch has educated influential people including governors-general, a prime minister, premiers, judges, business leaders and academics.
Former premiers Jeff Kennett and John Cain, Dr Kemp a former federal Liberal MP who served as education minister, philosopher Peter Singer and singer John Williamson are among the varied alumni.
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