In addition to tuition fees, parents of ACT Catholic Systemic schools are requested to contribute to the Canberra Catholic Schools Building Fund. The Building Fund is a voluntary, tax-deductible fund which pays for school maintenance and refurbishment costs, new schools, building insurances etc.

The requested contribution per family is included in the Tuition Fees Statement each term.  The St Bede's Primary School community has a proud history of donating strongly to the Building Fund.  The Board noted at the most recent meeting that donations have fallen in the last 12 months, possibly as a result of last year’s review of St Bedes Primary School and the poor maintenance of the school buildings.  The Board notes that Catholic Education has committed to keeping St Bedes Primary School open and has invested heavily in the maintenance of the school buildings over the last year and continues to do so.  

These improvements include:

• painting of all classrooms, coridors and administration block
• new carpet to all classrooms and the administration block
• sandstone retaining wall and soft fall in the playground
• petitioning wall in the library to create an additional learning space
• new pinboard to all classroom walls
• playground drainage
• additional works yet to be completed

The Board is very pleased with the improvements made to our school facilities and asks all families with sufficient means to pay the donation to the Building Fund when paying their school fees.  This donation helps improve all Catholic Schools, including St Bede's Primary School. Unlike your school fees, your donation to the Building Fund is tax deductible.  

Aaron Torline, 

President School Board.