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Families Celebrate Fee Reduction

Posted by St Thomas More School on 6 December 2019

Hundreds of Playford City families have welcomed an early Christmas present thanks to three Catholic primary schools, which all announced fee reductions for 2020.

St Thomas More School in Elizabeth Park, St Mary Magdalene's School in Elizabeth Grove, and Catherine McAuley School in Craigmore, recently told parents that their school fees will reduce. The three schools make up the Elizabeth Mercy Schools Cluster. Their leadership team worked closely with school boards, staff and Catholic Education South Australia to develop the new fee structures.

The announcement has been welcomed by families in the lead up to the festive season, with one mother saying the lower fees had made a huge difference to her family.
"I don't think you could get a bigger smile than the one on my face the day I found out about the new fees,'' said Shylie Petherick of Elizabeth.

"It just makes the school more affordable for the everyday person and means I can provide things for my daughter I have not been able to in the past.''

The decision is part of a broader effort by Catholic Education South Australia to reduce the financial barriers to families wishing to choose a Catholic education for their child.

"We recognise that the North has taken a financial hit over the last few years with an economic downturn and uncertain employment prospects within the local area. We know many families are doing it tough and wanted to do our part to ensure all children can access a high quality Catholic education," said Bruno Vieceli, Assistant Director, Catholic Education South Australia.

"We undertook an extensive analysis of each school's financial position and families' capacity to pay school fees. Each school receives different levels of government funding based on the government's assessment of the needs of that particular school community. The new fees reflect our commitment to make Catholic schools an accessible choice for families and mean the Elizabeth Mercy Schools Cluster now has some of the lowest non-government school fees in South Australia.''

These three schools have been providing high quality primary school education in the Elizabeth area for more than 60 years and are closely aligned to secondary schools Thomas More College, Xavier College, St Columba College and St Patrick's Technical College.

St Thomas More Principal Chris Platten said the reduced fees would come into effect at his school for the 2020 school year. 

"Catholic schools have been serving the Elizabeth area for many generations," he said. "We are celebrating our 60th Anniversary in 2020 and have a proud history of providing a safe, nurturing environment where children are celebrated for their God-given talents and abilities."

For 2020 Fee Information click HERE>

Author:St Thomas More School
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