St Joseph's School
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The board manages school finances and assets in a way that is financially responsible (Education and Training Act 2020, s 127, s 152). This includes the responsible management of school income. All money received by the school (e.g. government funding, donations, activity payments, fundraising) is classified as public funds and the board is accountable for how this income is managed (Financial Information for Schools Handbook, p. 13).
Income management
All income we receive is managed according to our financial policies and processes, and any Ministry of Education guidelines and requirements. Also see:
Sources of income
Ministry funding
We receive funding from the Ministry of Education, including:
We maintain and submit accurate information to the Ministry to ensure we receive the correct funding.
Operational funding
Our board is responsible for determining how operational funding is allocated. We record operational funding on a monthly basis in line with expenditure.
School donations
St Joseph's School has opted in to the donations scheme therefore we do not ask parents for any donations (gifts/koha), We may still request a donation for overnight camps. Each year the principal provides parents/caregivers with a written statement to advise them that St Joseph's School has opted into the donations scheme.
Anyone can choose to make a donation to the school at any time. Donation tax credits can be claimed and GST is not payable.
Student activity payments
Activity payments are required to cover the costs of optional equipment, experiences, and services that are additional to curriculum obligations. Payment may also be required for curriculum-based activities that involve a “take home” component for the student to keep.See What a school or kura can charge for 
(Ministry of Education).
Parents receive an invoice at the end of each term for costs relating to stationery, uniforms, and overnight camps.
Unpaid debts are followed up with a phone call to the family parent/caregiver.
Fundraising
At St Joseph's School, any revenue from fundraising is disclosed in financial statements as locally raised funds.
The Parents, Teachers, and Friends Association (PTFA) is the group responsible for the bulk of the school’s fundraising. Each year this group raises funds for the school. The board of trustees and staff work collaboratively with the PFTA to decide what projects funds are spent on.
The following guidelines apply to fundraising at St Joseph's School:
The proprietor may also do fundraising on school grounds. The board, staff, or students cannot participate in fundraising on behalf of the proprietor during normal school hours. Money raised on behalf of the proprietor can be used on buildings owned by the proprietor. Funds raised by the board are Crown funds and cannot be used on the proprietor's property.
Attendance dues
Our proprietor collects attendance dues, which are a condition of enrolment at St Joseph's School authorised under the Education and Training Act 2020. They are a separate payment to any school donations, and are used to pay costs associated with school property that is not funded by the government. Attendance dues are not a donation and are not eligible for a tax credit.
In this diocese, attendance dues are set at $447 per year for each student. The invoice is sent out monthly, and should be paid directly to the Palmerston diocese.
Where a parent has four or more children at a Catholic school, their attendance dues invoice will be for three children only – i.e. the fourth child, and any further children, will not be charged attendance dues. If a family will have difficulty paying the attendance dues, they should raise this with the school as soon as possible to discuss payment options.
If a family will have difficulty paying the attendance dues, they should raise this with the school as soon as possible to discuss payment options. Payment of attendance dues are a condition of enrolment.
Special character contribution
St Joseph's School also has a Catholic special character contribution, which helps cover the costs associated with the delivery of professional development services in support of Catholic special character in Catholic primary and secondary schools. It is a donation paid to the Catholic Education Office and is eligible for a tax credit.
Our special character contribution is included in the invoice for attendance dues.
The principal assures the board that if the school has opted in to the government donation scheme, parents and caregivers have been advised of this. The principal assures the board that the school will not ask for donations, except for overnight camps. See Review Schedule and Board Assurances.
Release history: Term 3 2025, Term 1 2024, Term 1 2023, Term 3 2022, Term 2 2021
