The St Joseph’s School Papanui Board of Trustees is committed to providing a quality faith-based education for all students enrolled at the school. The Board achieves this in part by effectively utilising the funding provided by the Ministry of Education to deliver quality learning experiences. As a low equity index school, the Ministry of Education funding is much less than some of our neighbouring schools. The Minister of Education has stated that it is the expectation that communities in low Equity Index schools will contribute more to children's education. The simple fact is that the funding that we receive from the government does not pay for the educational opportunities that parents in our community expect. As a result, the school must supplement its income with charitable grants, fundraising, and contributions from families. 

The Board of Trustees is very aware of the financial pressures that affect many families. For that reason, school fees have not been increased even though education costs have increased dramatically. We have also adjusted the structure of the whānau contribution and fees so that families can choose the extracurricular and enrichment activities they want their children to participate in.  

We hope that this information helps families understand their school account and enables them to effectively plan for upcoming expenses relating to their children’s education at St Joseph’s School. 

Parent cooperation and support are greatly appreciated.

Nathan Bradley

Board of Trustees (Presiding Member)

Your school account

The Education Act 1989 specifies the types of fees the school can charge and the expenses that can be passed on to parents. The Board of Trustees believes the account structure provided complies with current legislation. 

Family Contribution (All levels)

While voluntary, the Family contribution is an essential funding stream. It ensures that quality learning opportunities are available to students, which would not be possible with the government funding alone. Without this financial support, the school would need to scale back the services provided. $198 per child to a maximum of $520 per family

Extension Activity Fee (All levels)

These optional activities are not part of the core learning programme and may include trips away from school, performances and mobile classroom visits. All teams budget $10 per child per term to run these activities. Children not attending the extension activities continue with their core learning at school.  $40 per child.

Religious Education Contribution (All levels)

This fee pays for the bus transportation from St Joseph's School to Church and back four times a year to attend mass. Attending mass together as a school community is an important part of being at a Catholic school. $35 per child.

Winter Sports Fees (Year 5-8 only)

During Term 2-3, the Year 5-8 students have the option to participate in weekly winter sports at Hagley Park. This is a regional-wide event where children can play rugby, football, hockey, or netball. Children who do not opt for Winter Sports will remain at school and will participate in the regular physical Education programme. $45.

Swimming Safe / Surf Safe (All levels)

At the start of the year, all Year 1-6 students at St Joseph's School participate in ten swimming lessons. The sessions cost $60 per child. The Board of Trustees has subsidised the costs of lessons to ensure that all children have access to developing this important life skill. Our Year 7-8 students are provided with a Surf Safe Day.$30

Camp (Year 5-8 only)

Each year, the Year 5-8 students attend school camp. Camp is designed to provide children with a range of experiences that develop their team skills and self-confidence. The Camp Fee covers transport, accommodation, and meals. Prices are approximations only and may vary.  $240-300 per child

Technology Education (Year 7-8 only)

Each week, the Year 7-8 students travel by bus to the Breens Intermediate to participate in a range of technology learning opportunities, including textiles, food technology, design, woodwork, science, and visual arts. The Technology Fee pays for the take-home materials the students use. Children can’t take projects home if this fee is not paid. $90 per child

Maths Online

All Year children in the Kanuka Team are provided access to Matific which is an online Mathematics which supports Phase one of the schools Mathematics programme. Full cost for Matific is $22.00. The Board provides a $11.00 subsidy to ensure that all children have access to this valuable online resource.  $11 per child

Paying your school account

• We urge families to set up an automatic payment to pay the school account. It is simple and avoids having to pay lump sums. You can achieve this by adding the relevant fees together for each child and then dividing by 26. You will be able to set the automatic payment online with your bank or by calling your bank and talking to a teller. If you wish to take up this option, please ensure that the autopayment is set up by the 28th of February at the latest.

• The account can be paid in full as a lump sum. Payment must be received by March 31st.

• Payment may be made by cash or EFTPOS at the school office or using online banking to the school’s bank account 12-3149-0382936-00. Please ensure that you identify your family name in the payment information. It also helps us if you identify what items on the account you are paying by entering this information. 

Communication and support

The Board appreciates that financial pressures can occasionally make it difficult for some families to pay for the school account. In these circumstances, families need to approach the Principal, who will provide support. 

Contact Details

St Joseph’s School Papanui

4 Vagues Road, Christchurch

Phone: 03 3528779

Email: office@stjopapa.school.nz

URL: www.stjopapa.school.nz

Proprietor’s Attendance Dues

The charging of Attendance Dues is authorised under the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act (1975). It is used to pay for costs associated with the land and buildings for the Catholic Primary Schools in the Diocese.

All children enrolled at a Catholic school must pay the Attendance Dues, a legally binding charge on all parents. This obligation is explained to families when they apply for a preference certificate. It is also stated on the school enrolment form. 

In the Christchurch Diocese, the Attendance Due charge for 2025 is $500.00 per year (plus GST) $125 plus GST per Term. The diocese sends out the account early at the beginning of each term, and it must be paid to the parish.

Where a parent has four or more children at a Catholic Primary School, the attendance dues invoice will be for three children only; the fourth child and any further children will not be charged for attendance dues.

The Proprietor's Catholic Special Character Contribution (CSCC)

The Catholic Special Character Contribution (CSCC) helps cover the costs associated with the delivery of professional development services in support of Catholic Special Character in Catholic primary and secondary schools in the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. The Government makes no contributions for the above services.

The diocesan CSCC is charged under the authority of s.34 of Schedule 6 of the Education and Training Act 2020 and is thus a voluntary contribution paid by parents of all students in Catholic primary and secondary schools in the Diocese of Christchurch. As such, it is exempt from GST and is tax-deductible.

The Bishop of Christchurch has approved the diocesan CSCC. The diocesan Catholic Special Character Contribution is $15.00 per term, per student ($60.00 per student, per year).

Paying your diocese account

We are in a transition period where The Proprietors Fees will be collected by the Diocese rather than the Parish. As we receive more details for contact and bank account etc we will advise you accordingly.

School Rebates

The family contribution paid to the school may qualify for an income tax credit from the Inland Revenue. The $60 Catholic Special Character Contribution paid to the Parish is also tax-deductible.