We are committed to developing and maintaining strong relationships with the families, parishes and communities we serve. Families who choose to enrol their children at our College do so on the understanding that they are expected to uphold our Kildare Education Ministries' values of wonder, courage, justice hope, compassion and hospitality. Families are also asked to recognise the importance of Religious Education for their children through supporting the prayer life and other religious celebrations and spiritual development opportunities.
Year 7 Transition
Transition to secondary school is both an exciting and challenging experience for adolescents.
The move from primary school to secondary school brings with it changes in expectations, environment and peer group support. Many students look forward to the change and some find it overwhelming.
Research shows, the greater supports provided to children during this move, the greater opportunities for success in these individuals in later years.
In Year 7 there are a range of different subjects for students to study. Some are hands-on, such as woodwork, food technology, science prac, music, IT, drama and art. Others are English, humanities, religious education, theory lessons in science, PE, food and music. There are four periods a day, all approximately 75 minutes long. In each class students learn something new and exciting from planets in space, to how to cook scones.
In addition to the four periods each day, we start the day with a smaller class group known as Learning Mentor Group. The Learning Mentor program provides a conduit between the student, family and school and enables students to develop positive and powerful relationships with their peers and Learning Mentor. It is designed to increase student agency and responsibility while providing support, encouragement and stability. This further enhances student confidence, understanding and belonging.
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Transition starts when students come along to our annual Year 7 Information Evening, held in early Term 2 each year. At some stage before or after this, families may embark on a school tour, often available during school time to showcase our College in action. After applying, and if successful, students might undertake an enrolment interview with a senior member of staff. For students anxious about the move to secondary education, we offer a series of additional short orientation experiences prior to the full day of orientation. These are normally held in early November with the traditional Orientation Day in early December.
For more information about our transition process please view our Transition Booklet at the button below.
Enrol Now
BRIANNA JAMES
Year 7 enrolment opens during the month of May each year.
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General enrolment applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year at St Joseph's College and we manage a waiting list across all year levels.
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Year 7 enrolment opens during the month of May each year.
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Families seeking further enrolment information are invited to contact our College Registrar, Mrs Brianna James, 5482 2577 or online by the enrolment enquiry button.
School Fee Information
Catholic schools in the Kildare Education Ministries are committed to providing an affordable quality Catholic education for families. We understand the financial demands placed on families and seek to keep the fees as low as possible. No child who meets the enrolment criteria will be refused enrolment or disadvantaged because of a family’s financial circumstances.
School fees are endorsed by the KEM Finance & Audit Committee and are reviewed annually. The Committee is accountable for balancing the affordability of school fees with its responsibility to manage College resources effectively to achieve the mission of the College community. Consequently, the level of fees charged considers the needs of the College and the capacity of the community to pay.
Assistance
We understand for some families the payment of fees can be of concern, so from the outset, we encourage you to communicate with us.
If you anticipate having difficulty paying your fees, please contact us immediately. Our experience shows that by dealing with these concerns early, families experiencing financial hardship gain clarity around fees and fee payments, and have their concerns put to ease.
For further information contact Rosemaree McCann on
03 5469 0297 or fees@sje.vic.edu.au.
Pensioner and Health Care Card Holder Funding
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In addition to the family discounts for families with two or more enrolled students and the College’s means-tested concession card fee support, the Victorian Government provides the Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF) for eligible students. In 2024 the payment amount will be $250 per year for eligible secondary school students.
The College can assist you in your application and to find out more about the CSEF please go the following website:
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Please note that applications can be entered from 29 January 2024 to 21 June 2024.
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Further Fee Support is provided after the CSEF funding is closed (i.e. after 21 June 2024), please contact 03 5469 0359 or email fees@sje.vic.edu.au for more information.
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Conveyance Allowance & School Drive Subsidy
Victoria
The Conveyance Allowance Program is a form of financial assistance to help with the cost of transporting students to their nearest appropriate school. Distance is measured by the shortest practical route between the student’s place of residence and the College. Use Bing Maps as a reference. Please note the final determination of your qualification is determined by the Victorian Government using its Student Conveyance Allowance System (SCAS).
NSW
For those students who do not have access to public transport (the free school bus) you may be able to access the School Drive Subsidy. This subsidy is available in areas where there is no public transport, to drive an eligible student all or part of the way to school. Visit Transport NSW for more detail on its regional school student transport scheme and free school travel pass.
See Transport for more on Victorian and NSW arrangements.
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2024 Schedule of Fees
Our fees cover all compulsory costs for the year including levies, camps and a portable device, currently a MacBook computer.
Please find below the Schedule of Fees for 2024:
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2024 School Tuition Fee | One Student Family | Two or More Student Family |
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Annual Tuition Fee | $3,835 | $6,650 |
While every attempt has been made to bill all School Fees for the year up front, on occasions there may be a need to bill some additional fees such as repairs to MacBook and self-pay bus fares etc. Families are requested to pay these fees (if any) separately.
Billing
Fees are charged annually and sent to families at the start of term 1, or upon enrolment for mid-year intakes. Statements are then emailed monthly, or upon settlement of the account.
Payment Options
All accounts are either paid by direct debit or directly to the College’s front office (in-person or over the phone 03 5469 0359).
Please find below Payment Options offered:
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Option 1 - One-Off Payment | Option 2 - Direct Debit |
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One single payment in full Due Date: 31 March 2024 | Weekly/Fortnightly/Monthly (15th) |
*Flexible Payment Plans (FPP)
To support families in meeting their fee commitment, the College offers a flexible payment plan as an alternative payment option for school fees. All families that do not pay their school fees in full in a one-off payment or their 1st instalment by 31 March 2024 will be required to enter in a regular payment arrangement using the College’s Direct Debit facility.
Any other payment arrangements need to be approved by the College, and will only apply to special circumstances. The payment period is generally from February to November, but ongoing payments (over a full calendar year) can be set up where requested.
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Meet our St Joseph's College Finance Team
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Cheryle Ryan - Business Manager
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James McDougall - Accountant (Fee Collection Team)
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Kellie Bingham - Accounts Payable
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Rosemaree McCann - Finance Administration
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Daniele Cooper - Accountant
The school community expects that students wear their uniform with pride and care, and present themselves as positive representatives of the school at all times.
Uniform generally falls under three categories – summer, winter and sport.
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At all times the College reinforces the wearing of a uniform that is ‘fit for purpose’. In short, that means that on a day where a student has a PE class, or is representing the school at a sporting event, that they are in full sport uniform.
Likewise the school uniform requires the wearing of fully enclosed leather shoes – this is to comply with OH&S requirements for activities undertaken in technology, science & art subjects.
All clothing uniform items, including the school bag, are available from Hip Pocket, 173 Pakenham Street, Echuca.
Uniform
SUMMER UNIFORM
WINTER UNIFORM
SUMMER SPORTS UNIFORM
WINTER SPORTS UNIFORM
Bus Information
There are a number of different options for children wishing to use bus transport to St Joseph’s College (Kildare or Brigidine campuses) in 2024. If you intend to use bus transport for the first time in 2024, please find attached helpful information provided by Public Transport Victoria and NSW.
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Victorian Bus Travel
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The Victorian Government provides free/subsidised travel for all Victorian Country Students residing 4.8km or more from their nearest school of that kind.
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The leaflet at the link below will help explain the School Bus Program and assist you in determining your child’s eligibility to travel on a school bus.
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SCHOOL BUS PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY GUIDE FOR FAMILIES
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Victorian Country Bus Travel
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If you reside outside the township of Echuca, your child will be on a country bus.
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Please complete the attached application form for all Victorian country school bus travellers. This form must be submitted to the school as soon as possible when enrolling your child.
Please note: transport applications are processed in order of receipt.
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APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO TRAVEL
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If your child will be travelling on the town bus network (blue and yellow bus) residing more than 4.8km from the Campus your child is attending, you are entitled to a conveyance bus pass. Conveyance Allowance application forms are available late in the year. The school sends out details during Term 4.
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Students residing in town, under 4.8km to St Joseph’s College Kildare Campus or Brigidine Campus, are able to travel on the Echuca town bus service. You do not need a bus pass, however you will be required to pay $1.20 each way for travel. Town bus timetables can be found at Newtown’s website: https://newtonsbusservices.com.au/school-bus-timetables/
NSW Bus Travel Applications
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Families who reside in NSW must apply for their child’s bus pass online. Please visit https://transportnsw.info/school-travel-apply
Please note: Bus applications for 2024 school year open at the beginning of Term 4 2023.
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When completing required fields, please ensure you select the Campus (Brigidine or Kildare) your child will be attending in 2024.
If your child is already a current bus traveller at St Joseph’s College (Victoria or NSW), you will NOT be required to complete a bus application again for next year.
If you have any further questions in relation to the above matters, please feel free to contact Mrs Brianna James on
5482 2577 or email bjames@sje.vic.edu.au.