Frequently Asked Questions about Fundraising
What’s with the school fees? Isn’t a public school education free?
The money provided by the government covers basic staff costs and limited resources. This is not enough to give our children the education and resources they recieve at BBPS.
There are two types of fees parents are asked to pay: curriculum fees and voluntary contributions.
Curriculum fees cover basic essential educational resources like textbooks, fees for online programs such as Mathletics. Curriculum costs are invoiced once a year in Term 1.
Voluntary contribution is a bit of a misnomer. The school is obliged by the Department of Education to label these fees as “voluntary”. However, the items they cover are not really “optional extras”, and the school needs to receive these fees in order to meet its financial obligations. Voluntary contributions cover things like classroom resources (paper, pencils etc.), musical and creative arts equipment, sports and play equipment, etc. A request to pay these contributions also goes out once a year in Term 1.
It is important to understand that the school has to meet its financial obligations regardless of the number of parents paying these contributions. This means that it has to make up for the shortfall in unpaid fees and contributions from money already allocated to other vital programs. In the past, unpaid fees/contributions have accumulated into the tens of thousands of dollars – amounts which are impossible to cover without having to abandon or postpone other projects.
The school can make arrangements for families experiencing hardship, and the P&C supports these families by providing $1000 per term to the principal for such confidential hardship allocations.
You must make a lot of money from the markets, so why do you have to fundraise?
Market lease money goes directly to the Department of Education, not directly to the school, and not to the P&C. The Saturday & Sunday markets are leased to independent commercial markets operators through a public tender process managed by the Department of Education. At present, the same operators manage the markets on both days. Eventually part of the money trickles back to our school and is used for maintenance on the grounds (required due to the high level of use caused by the markets) and things like the cost of teachers’ aides (a cost which is not covered by the Department).
Many other things are needed to add to the students’ learning experiences, which are funded through money raised by the P&C. In the past, this has including interactive white boards, home readers, computers, library books, art supplies, the basketball court, the stage of the hall, and more.
So what kinds of resources have you funded in the past?
These are some of the resources the school has received from the P&C over the last ten years:
- More than 30 iPads, accessories, and peripherals such as covers, screen protectors, headphones and splitters, sync and charge cables; storage and charging trollies
- 30 iPad minis with accessories and peripherals such as iPad Mini covers, screen protectors, headphones and splitters, sync and charge cables
- Other technology resources, like e-readers, visual presenters, screens, wireless routers
- Classroom games, resources and furnishings
- Basketball court and hoops, balls, ropes, bibs etc
- Stage and storage racks in the school hall
- Keyboards, guitars, cajons, xylophone, triangles and mallets for music room
- Equipment for the violin group
- Art supplies
- Science resources
- Resources for the school counsellor
- Upgrades to the uniform shop and canteen
What are you raising money for at the moment?
Our current focus is on improving technology (student laptops, white board replacement, shared teacher computers) and completing the school playground upgrade.
Teachers are also invited to submit a “wish list” of items that would make their job easier and enhance the learning environment. As funds become available we fund items off their wish list that have been approved as valuable.
What are the regular events you run every year?
Mother’s Day Stall / Father’s Day Basketball Shoot-Out
For Mother’s Day, the P&C organises the popular gift stall for the children to buy for their mother/carer. In the last two years we have run a Mother’s Day Soccer Shoot out and raffle. For Father’s Day we organise a morning tea and basketball shootout where children can compete with their dads/carers. There are increasing calls for a Father’s Day still in 2024 so watch this space!
City2Surf
Making the most of our location at the finish of the world’s biggest fun run, the City2Surf, we offer parking for minibuses, cars and vans. We also offer marquee hire to corporates. All hands on deck for this event!
Major Fundraiser (biennial)
This biennial party night features trivia and games, a small live auction, silent auction, a band and dancing.
To make these activities a success, we need volunteers and participation from our school community. Find out more about our activities in the school newsletter and via the class parents.