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The school operates a voluntary Textbook and Resource Management Scheme(TRMS) to minimise the cost of textbooks and other learning materials for parents. The scheme also ensures that an adequate bank of resources is available to provide a good quality education. The Scheme is offered as a service to students and parents, and operates under the policy and guidelines of Education Queensland. In schools where the service is not offered, parents are required to pay the full costs of purchasing all learning materials. Please refer to the general list of what the scheme provides.
The school fees have been endorsed by the Parents and Citizens Association. While the Scheme is fully endorsed by the P & C, the Scheme is run by the school. TRMS does not provide any funds for the Parents’ and Citizens’ Association and is entirely voluntary. Parents are under no obligation to join. However, for contributors, the Scheme provides a number of benefits.
BENEFITS OF THE SCHEME
- Long term loan of all textbooks for classroom and / or home use
- Short term loans for classroom and / or home use (eg. plays or novels studied in English)
- Use of class sets (eg. atlases, dictionaries, textbooks etc)
- Use of reference material
- A necessary range of teacher prepared notes and student worksheets in all subject areas
- Some equipment items
- Access to general usage information and communication technology, provision of printing material and internet access, computer support and library research capacity.
- ID Card and Homework Diary
- Transport subsidy for school based sport.
ITEMS SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED FROM THE SCHEME
These will need to be purchased or provided by individual students.
- Paper on which to write eg. Exercise books
- Biros, pencils and other stationery items
- Calculators and drawing equipment
- Protective clothing where required
- Part of the cost of transport to sporting venues
- Cost of some school based recreational activities
- Materials required for student home assignment work
- Cost of school camps
- Cost of excursions.
GOVERNMENT TEXTBOOK ALLOWANCE SCHEME
Education Queensland actively encourages schools to provide Textbook and Resource Schemes in an effort to reduce costs to parents. This allows books and materials to be purchased early and discounts to be secured through early payment and bulk ordering.
To this end schools, with approval of their Parents’ and Citizens’ Association, may elect to receive a direct bulk payment equivalent to the total of Text and Resource Allowances for all students (see CONTRIBUTIONS).
In 2007, the Government Textbook Allowance paid to the school was $93 for years 8 to 10, and $203 for years 11 and 12.
Our Parents’ and Citizens’ Association has currently approved direct payment of all text and resource allowances to the school in bulk.
ELIGIBILITY
All students are eligible to receive a Textbook and Resource Allowance, except for the following categories of students:
- Students undertaking part-time study
- International students and students on exchange programs
- Students who are 19 years of age or older on 1 January of the year they enrol in Year 11 or 12 and are not progressing directly from full-time study in Year 10.
- Students enrolled after the second Friday of Term 4.
CONTRIBUTIONS
2008 Textbook and Resource Management Scheme contribution: $170
Every effort has been made to contain costs to parents while ensuring that adequate resources are available for student use. Parents wishing to take advantage of the services provided by the Scheme pay an annual fee and sign a contract agreeing to the conditions therein. Fees, payment options, payment due dates and the contract are outlined on the TRMS Application and Subject Selection Form.
A General List Of What Your Contribution Provides
- Diary and ID Card
- School Sport Carnival costs
- Enhancing library resources
- ICT access and support, internet and printing (designated amount)
- Photocopying
- Provision of textbooks and school produced resources for all subjects
The Scheme also includes the subsidy of some of the costs for other miscellaneous items such as entry into selected national academic competitions; software and consumables used with information and communication technology; career education information, other subject area shared resources, certificate costs etc.
If a student leaves school during the school year, pro-rata funds will be made on the basis of a 40 week year.
PAYMENT
Methods of Payment
There are a range of payment methods and payment options available to parents/carers. Payment can be made by cash, cheque, money order, EFTPOS, credit card or by direct debit from Centrelink payments at the Administration Office. A receipt will be provided for each of these payment methods with the exception of the automatic Centrelink deductions. However, parents will receive a statement from Centrelink indicating that the transfer of funds has occurred. We ask that parents file their receipts in case reference to the receipt is required in the future.
Payment Options
When subject selection information is distributed, parents will be asked to indicate their preferred payment option. There are a variety of payment options available to parents. Please refer to Textbook and Resource Management Scheme Application/Subject Selection Form.
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY
Anyone experiencing financial difficulty at this time and wishing to pay the TRMS contribution over an extended time period should phone the school to arrange an appointment with the Principal or Business Services Manager on 5471 5333. It is our intention to encourage all families to join the Scheme and enjoy its benefits.
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