Hillsmeade Primary School

Question 1

Is it cheaper to buy my child’s stationery rather then buying a book pack?

Posted on January 9, 2018

No, we purchase nearly 900 book packs in bulk and get significant savings as a result. The Essential Items fee covers both the book pack and a collection of other resources that are used directly in the classrooms. If you purchase your own book pack stationery you will still need to pay some of the Essential Items fee to cover the remaining items used in classrooms.

We normally try and use Qkr for all payments, however we need parents to pick up book packs. We have found that with Qkr available for Essential Items parents will pay at home on their phone and then forget to pick up book packs.
Additionally, there is a delay between a Qkr payment and when the school receives the notification of payment, and it can be difficult to determine whether a parent has already paid by Qkr when they’re standing at the counter.

The government funds the vast majority of running the school, but DET policy provides for schools charging for some Essential classroom items. DET provides this diagram to explain the difference between government funding, Essential Items, and Voluntary Charges: Understanding Parent Payment Categories.

Essential Items are the parent contribution for essential learning items and other curriculum resources. You will need to pay these fees to receive your child’s book pack.
Voluntary Charges are non-compulsory, and are used to improve the school for all children, such as playground equipment, library books, etc.

Fees are payable when collecting book packs. If required you can use a payment plan for Essential Items.

We normally try and use Qkr for all payments, however we need parents to pick up book packs. We have found that with Qkr available for Essential Items parents will pay at home on their phone and then forget to pick up book packs.
Additionally, there is a delay between a Qkr payment and when the school receives the notification of payment, and it can be difficult to determine whether a parent has already paid by Qkr when they’re standing at the counter.

Hillsmeade Primary School

The Link 2017 Issue 3

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Book Packs (3)

Is it cheaper to buy my child’s stationery rather then buying a book pack?

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Can I use Qkr for Essential Items / Book Packs?

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What payment methods are available for Book Packs/Essential Items?

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Fees (3)

Why do I have to pay school fees? The government funds schools.

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Are there discounts on school fees (Essential Items) for siblings?

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Can I use Qkr for Essential Items / Book Packs?

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