Budgeting for Year 7 and Beyond

Transitioning students from primary school to secondary education can be a significant expense for families.

New uniform, shoes, computer and camps all add up and can be a shock at the end of the year when many families are planning for their holidays. To better enable families to prepare for this additional expense, CSC provides this guide to highlight the public education Essential Student Learning Items, Voluntary Financial Contributions and Optional Items as defined by the Victorian Department of Education (DET), as well as what financial contributions families can expect to pay for additionally required items such as the CSC uniform or optional activities.

Essential Student Learning Items: $250

This fee is for core subject resources and materials for the year including student electives, student printing (to the value of $20), Health & Wellbeing Incursion, ID card, locker hire, software license costs, access to online resources and sports affiliation fees.

Voluntary Financial Contributions

This is a voluntary contribution families may elect to pay to assist CSC to develop programs and resources in addition to those provided through DET funding. These include the College Computer Program, Library Fund, Building Program and Chaplaincy Program. Please ask if you would like more information on these programs or how to contribute.  

Optional Items: $22 – $27

Optional items may include the Poetry Competition for French students ($5) and the CSC Yearbook ($24).  

CSC Uniform: $605

Costs vary according to items selected by students and can be purchased at the CSC Uniform Shop or online at https://store.beleza.com.au/. Year 7 Uniform Pack funding is available to eligible families (holders of a concession card). As a minimum (selecting unisex items), all students are likely to require the following items:

• black leather shoes $100
• CSC jumper $67
• rugby top $70
• short sleeve polo $33
• short sleeve shirt $28
• shorts $27
• trousers $30
• jacket $75
• sport top $45
• sport shorts $30
• sneakers $100
  • TOTAL around $605

Second Hand Uniforms

Second hand uniform purchases are also available through the Facebook group: Castlemaine & District School Uniform and Books.

Bring Your Own Device Program (Personal Computer): $400

Students are required to bring their own device to CSC to access online resources. Costs will vary according to family choice with the minimum requirements for example: an Acer laptop (priced from $400).

Text Books and Stationery: $300

Resource lists per year level are distributed in November each year for the following year. Learning resources include online resources, assigned text books and required stationery per subject. Resource list expenses range from $300 to $500 depending on subject choice.

Music Tuition

For students choosing the Performers’ precinct or enrolling for additional music tuition, the fees start at $90 per student per term (pairs) or $75 per student per term (groups of 3-4). Instrument hire is $100 per year. These fees must be paid in full prior to lessons commencing and are based on students receiving no less than eight lessons per term.

Camps and Excursions: $250 – $300

Attendance at camps and excursions is optional but highly recommended to enhance learning and enable further development of relationships between students as well as with their teachers.

Costs vary according to the activity. As a guide, excursions are approximately $15 and mentor or year level excursions up to $40 each. Music camp is approximately $400 and is open to all students undertaking instrumental music lessons.

The Year 7 camp is held within the first few weeks of Term 1 and costs between $250 and $300. A deposit is required at the beginning of Term 1 with full payment required prior to attending camp.

CSC Production: $50

Each year CSC presents a production involving many students, staff and parent helpers. One of the highlights of the calendar, past productions include Into the Woods and Grease. The cost per student is $50. Year 7 students are encouraged to participate.

Photos: $33 – $46

Photos of all students and staff are taken on Mentor Day at the start of Term one each year. Order forms are distributed at this time and families have a fortnight to submit an order. Various packs are available to choose from.

Estimated Expenses Example

Using these examples explained and highlighted again below, costs could total $1,838 per student.

• • Essential Student Learning Items $250
  • CSC uniform $605
  • Acer computer $400
  • Text books and stationery $300
  • Year 7 Camp $250
  • Photos $33
    • Example total $1,838

Support for Families

The above information hopefully provides a clearer picture as to what expenses your family can expect when your child commences Year 7 at CSC. Fortunately CSC assists families to manage payments in a number of ways:

• • 1. we can work with you to arrange a payment plan such as a regular direct debit to CSC or Centrepay deductions
    2. we can assist eligible families to access funds through the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
    3. we also assist eligible families to access uniform items (including shoes) through the State Schools Relief fund
    4. CSC second hand book sale in late November every year following the release of the resource lists

Payment Options

To discuss payment options, eligibility of access to funds, or to book an appointment, please contact Family Finance Manager, Karen Burton on 5479 1111 or email: burton.karen.k@edumail.vic.gov.au.

We welcome and encourage these conversations as early to possible prior to students commencing at CSC.

CSC School Council aims to ensure parent payments are kept to a minimum and are affordable to most parents at the CSC. For further information, please read the CSC Parent Payment Policy.

The information provided is a guide only as the choices families make for their child or children will impact on expenses incurred. The amounts shown are valid for 2018 and may vary for 2019.