Ngā utu o te kura | Fees and Contributions.

Delivering the highest quality special character education to our tamariki and rangitahi in a financially sustainable way requires compulsory fees and voluntary contributions.

Attendance Dues and Contributions Explained

Attendance dues

As a state-integrated special character school, we receive a base level of funding from the government to deliver education to a minimum standard. Attendance dues are set by the government and are compulsory. Attendance dues support us to meet our property costs, because our buildings are owned and operated by the Christchurch Steiner School Trust (also known as the Proprietor) not the Ministry of Education.

Contributions

To deliver the high-quality special character education that Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School is renowned for, we require voluntary contributions (considered donations for tax purposes), over and above the funding we receive from government and the compulsory attendance dues. There are two contributions that are critical for delivering this special character experience:

1. Steiner Education Contribution

This contribution is made to the Christchurch Steiner School Trust (The Proprietor). Your contribution is primarily used to help cover the costs of delivering the special character elements of our school and kindergarten. This special character is not funded by government, which makes these contributions so very important. Contributions are also used to maintain and develop the buildings and land of the School and Kindergarten which are not covered by the integration agreement, such as the fort, horticulture whare and eurythmy room.

2. Board of Trustees Annual Contribution

This contribution is made to the Board of Trustees toward the cost of the core learning programme (curriculum). This is especially important as it supports the unique elements of our Steiner Waldorf curriculum including: handwork and woodwork, class plays, festivals, eurythmy, class projects, therapies, learning support assistants and extra teaching staff above entitlement from the Government.

Payroll Giving

To assist families with contributions payroll giving allows families to receive the tax credit for contributions at the time of payment.  (To set up payroll giving parents should liaise with their employer.)

Tax Credit for Contributions

• contributions are classed as a donation. At the end of the tax year (31st March), those who have paid a contribution will receive a tax receipt which can be used to claim a tax credit of 33% from the IRD
• we request that parents actively support the special character and philosophy by agreeing to contribute
• more details of how the fees and contributions are used specifically for Kindergarten and School are listed below.

Kindergarten Fees & Contributions

20 Hours ECE Scheme

Christchurch Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten has opted for the Ministry of Education 20 Hours ECE scheme, which means that if your child is 3, 4 or 5 years old, the cost to attend kindergarten can be fully subsidised for up to 6 hours a day and up to 20 hours a week. A guide for parents with more information on this is available here.

For children not covered by the MOE 20 hours ECE scheme (under 3 yrs. or attendance over 20 hrs. per week) the fee is $6.97 per hour.

 

Kindergarten Steiner Education Contribution

The funding rates for the 20 Hours ECE scheme have been calculated to cover the minimum regulated standard and do not cover the actual operating costs associated with the delivery of an outstanding quality early childhood education based on our special character and philosophy.
The Steiner Education Contribution request is used to cover the following:

• staffing above minimum requirements
• Eurythmy class
• seasonal Festivals (Harvest, Easter, Lantern, Spiral/Midwinter, Spring, Advent)
• Steiner professional development for staff
• Steiner appointed buildings, grounds, play equipment
• art & handwork supplies and biodynamic flour
• anthroposophical first aid supplies
• parent resource and education.

We request that parents opt in to the 20 hours ECE scheme and agree to pay a Kindergarten Steiner Education Contribution of $3/hour. This is voluntary and tax deductible.

Classes 1-12 Fees

School Annual Attendance Dues – Compulsory

$1,150 per student per year

Annual attendance dues are compulsory and are used to cover:
• insurance
• debt servicing
• maintenance costs for integrated school buildings and associated facilities
• health and safety compliance.

 

Steiner Education Contribution - Voluntary

$763 for the first child, $337 for the second child in a family and $120 for the third child in a family.

Used for:
• specialist Steiner teachers
• parent events and resources
• seasonal Festivals (Spiral, Spring, Lantern festivals)
• Steiner appointed buildings, grounds, playgrounds
• Steiner professional development for staff
• Steiner Federation levy.

 

Board of Trustees Contribution - Voluntary
$250 per student per year

This is used to uphold the essential elements our Steiner Waldorf curriculum, for example:

• materials for handwork, woodwork, art, and craft
• Steiner main lesson books and materials
• music programs, musical instruments, and repairs
• additional items for curriculum enhancement such as:
• science materials and equipment
• Steiner Federation levy

• additional items for curriculum enhancement such as:
• costumes and equipment for class and whole school plays
• specialist items for festivals and seasonal celebrations

• string instrument programs

 

Additional Costs – Per student

There are several other costs that are applicable to some students including:

• stationery requirements (this differs class to class)
• personal materials and tools e.g. (independent project material)
• student purchases for individual projects not covered above
• NZQA and SCE Fees
• PE uniforms, if required.

 

Class Camps
An important part of school life, most classes have a camp each year. Contributions are communicated to parents as early as possible to allow them to be budgeted for.

 

Activity Contributions
For all Lower School children (Years 1–8) to cover swimming, individual instruments for the strings program.

 

International Student Fees
Information for International Students can be found here.