School Donation

We ask all parents to financially support the school by paying the school donation ($150 for one student, $200 for two students or more from the same family). There is also a $20 per family donation for the school PTA and a $20 donation for major project contribution. The PTA donation avoids the PTA having to involve parents in fundraising activities.

Why do we ask for a donation? The Board believes that the funding model for large schools is not equitable and disadvantages schools like Shirley. We currently have to provide teaching staff for resident/local students from the Operations Grant as allocated Ministry staffing is not enough to meet the Curriculum needs of our students.

How is the school donation spent? The donation is used to buy extra books and magazines for the library, computer hardware, software and network support, musical instruments, badges, outside speakers and specialist providers. It is also used to provide the school magazine, items of capital expenditure and other items the Board deems to be in the interest of students and are essential for a balanced education. This is a voluntary donation, but from our point of view, it is a payment toward services or materials which enhance student learning environment.

How is the PTA donation spent? This income is allocated, by the PTA via an application process, back to the school to cover things which are outside the school budget and not always planned for, but which enrich the learning experience of our students or improve the school environment.

In recent years, these funds have been used to provide PTA financial assistance for students in straitened circumstances, and the purchase of uniforms for sports teams and cultural groups (Kapa haka, pasifika and music). The list is very long.

The income derived from parent donations is critical to the functioning of our school. If our students are to have, or maintain, an advantage in the education system, parents have to be prepared to contribute. Your contribution enables us to provide the quality of education your child needs, and you require, for their future success.

Tax deductions These donations are tax deductible up to a rate of 33% of the donation paid.

To find out more, please click on the following link to the IRD website -http://www.ird.govt.nz/non-profit/np-donations/school

Payments made to School before 31 March in a given year can be claimed from 1 April on the same year. Payments made after 31 March cannot be claimed until after 1 April the following year.

Thank you for your support.

Tony Deavoll 

 Chairperson of Board of Trustees 

 Shirley Boys’ High School