Elite Hobart private school reduces fees amid virus pandemic

As most of the state’s students have begun term two working from home, an elite Hobart private school has reduced its fees due to the impact of the pandemic.

AN ELITE Tasmanian school has slashed its fees for term two as most of the state’s children continue to learn from home.

Hobart’s The Friends’ School confirmed on Wednesday that it would provide a term two fee reduction of 25 per cent.

In an email to parents and guardians, Principal Nelson File and Board of Governors presiding member Julian Robertson said the school recognised the impacts the pandemic would have for families, particularly those with young children.

“As a compassionate community oriented institution, we have supported those around us for over 130 years. These times are no different,” they said.

“Our school is committed to the highest possible standard of distance learning but acknowledges that we cannot deliver the full range of services captured in our tuition fees in an extended distance learning environment.”

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Other schools that have cut their fees for term two include Hutchins and The Cottage School.

With most students across the state now studying from home, attendance at state government school sites was about 20 per cent for the first day of term two.

The term officially began on Tuesday for state schools, with all students in the state’s North and South now learning from home and school sites.

Schools in the North-West however remain closed due to the extended lock down measures in the region, with students expected to return to their classes on Monday.

A state government spokesperson said a new reporting process had been introduced for term two which would ensure data collected would reflect the student participation both at home and at school.

“Preliminary data suggests average attendance on the first day of Term 2 was around 20 per cent,” they said.

“It is expected that the new arrangements may take a few days for consistent reporting to be in place across all schools.

“Some caution should be taken when interpreting this figure as schools are still adjusting to the new reporting system.”

Parents are encouraged to keep their children home where possible, however children of essential workers are still able to attend school sites.