PHILOSOPHY : As a Lutheran school our approach to education reflects the teachings of the Lutheran Church, which are based on the Bible. Our teaching and practice aim to recognize the Lordship of Christ. Those in our school are encouraged to view the whole of life as a response to Him. The Holy Spirit not only creates faith in the believer but also generates the response, which culminates in a life of service.

EDUCATION : Within the context of the aims of the school, the educational philosophy revolves around the belief that every child has the right to reach his or her optimum levels of functioning and performance in terms of the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual dimensions of life and that these attainments, skills and attitudes be used in developing and strengthening positive relationships with others in society.

Children are regarded as unique individuals who have specific needs. The school therefore aims to cater for the needs of children along the entire spectrum of learning ability.

BEHAVIOUR : There is to be respect for the person and property of others. Our approach to discipline encourages responsible action and emphasizes the consequences of one's behaviour. While externally imposed punishment or reward may be used they produce only outward compliance. True self-discipline must come from within the individual.

We aim to create within the school a climate of mutual care and concern. It is the forgiving love of Christ, which transforms hearts and restores relationships.

WORSHIP : Worship is important in a Lutheran School. Each day children participate in a formal time of worship either at the whole school level or within the classroom.

PARENTS

Parents as teachers and Partners : The Lutheran Church acknowledges that parents have the prime responsibility for the education of their children. It is of vital importance that parents seeking to enrol their children in our school commit themselves to uphold and support the school's stated aims. Parents have the key role in teaching their children attitudes to life (and manners, respect, sex education and the like). Teachers can assist and support parents in these matters.

Teachers have the key role in teaching children basic knowledge and skills for living (mathematics, language etc.). Parents can positively assist and support teachers in this vital skill development.

Parent involvement in the school : There is a strong sense of community at Living Faith. The education of our students is enriched through the involvement of parents. Ways in which parents can be involved include:

• be an active member of the Parents and Friends Association which exists to support the school, particularly through fund raising.
• have direct interest in your child's homework and discuss their day's activities.
• help with the reading program or literacy and maths groups.
• assist with sporting events and team coaching.
• run lunchtime clubs for children
• join with students and teachers at our weekly worship service.
• maintain open communication with the Class Teacher.
• serve on the tuckshop roster or assist in the uniform shop.
• pray for the nurture of children in the school.

The Parents & Friends Association (P&FA) plays a major part in the fundraising for additional resources to equip a new and growing school. A range of fundraising activities are held throughout the year, with the major event being a biennial October Fair. Since the school's inception, items such as library books, classroom resources, sporting equipment, data projectors, a playground shade sail and a contribution to the multi-purpose courts have been provided by the P&FA. Support from all parents for P&FA fundraising assists in building a strong school community.

OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE : An Outside School Hours Care program, under the management of the Living Faith Church Congregation, is available on site for children from Prep to Year 6.
Hours of operation are 6:30am - 9:00am and 3:00pm - 6:00pm, Monday to Friday. For more information, including place availability and fee structure, please phone the centre on 3385 0394 or 0400 006 224.

FEES SCHEDULE 2008

1. TUITION FEE: Base Fee (all students)

Discount is offered for 2 or more children in the school, and is only given against basic tuition fees. Where there are four or more children from the same family attending the school at the one time, the fourth and subsequent child/ren will be exempt from tuition fees. An early discount of 5% is given when fees for the whole year are paid by second week of Term 1.

Payment of Fees : There are four terms in the school year. The fee for the year is divided into four equal amounts. A fee statement is issued at the commencement of each term, and is due for payment within 2 weeks.
Payment can be made by cheque, cash, EFTPOS or direct deposit. Details are on the reverse of the fee account. (Note: There is a minimum of $20 for EFTPOS transactions). Any family who experiences difficulty in meeting this commitment on time should contact the Principal or Bursar in order to negotiate an acceptable alternative arrangement.

2. LEVIES : In addition to the Tuition Fee, various levies are charged. Some differences occur from class to class.

2.1 Classroom Levy
Years P-6 $20.00 per child per term
This covers students' use of consumable materials such as paper, paint, computer supplies, etc.

2.2 Activities Levy :
This covers excursions (including bus hire), swimming classes, camps and concerts by visiting artists. Wherever possible anticipated activities for the following term are charged at the beginning of that term.

2.3 Educational Materials Levy
This levy covers course materials initially required by each student and includes stationery and textbooks.

2.4 Student Personal Accident Cover
This insurance policy provides each student with insurance for 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, at a nominal cost per student.

3. BUILDING FUND : To assist the School in the provision of appropriate resources to ensure that your child receives the best educational opportunities possible, a Building Fund has been established. Resources provided with the help of this fund will help position Living Faith Lutheran Primary School as a centre of excellence. The Building Fund Donation for Year 2008 will be $300 per family. Parents can make four equal payments of $75 per term and this amount appears on your fee statement. All donations to the school's Building Fund are tax deductible.

4. APPLICATION FEE : A non-refundable fee of $50 is to accompany the Enrolment Application for each student.

5. ENROLMENT BOND : An interest free bond secures acceptance of each enrolment offer. This is currently $200, and is held in trust until the child leaves the school, when it will be returned providing that all financial commitments have been cleared with the school.

6. NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL : In the case of withdrawal of a student, a half-term's written notice to the Principal is required, otherwise the enrolment bond will be forfeited. Should a student be withdrawn from the school during a term, fees will be due and payable for the whole of that term.
For a a student leaving at the end of the year, notice is required by the end of Term 3. This requirement does not apply to students leaving at the end of Year 6.

PRIVACY ACT - STANDARD COLLECTION NOTICE

1. The School collects personal information, including sensitive information about pupils and parents or guardians before and during the course of a pupil's enrolment at the School. The primary purpose of collecting this information is to enable the School to provide schooling for your son/daughter.

2. Some of the information we collect is to satisfy the School's legal obligations, particularly to enable the School to discharge its duty of care.

3. Certain laws governing or relating to the operation of schools require that certain information is collected. These include Public Health and Child Protection laws.

4. Health information about pupils is sensitive information within the terms of the National Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act. We ask you to provide medical reports about pupils from time to time.

5. The School from time to time discloses personal and sensitive information to others for administrative and educational purposes. This includes to other schools, government departments, Lutheran Education Queensland, the Parish, medical practitioners, and people providing services to the School, including specialist visiting teachers, sport coaches and volunteers.

6. If we do not obtain the information referred to above we may not be able to enrol or continue the enrolment of your son/daughter.

7. Personal information collected from pupils is regularly disclosed to their parents or guardians. On occasions information such as academic and sporting achievements, pupil activities and other news is published in School newsletters, magazines, local newspapers and on our website.

8. Parents may seek access to personal information collected about them and their son/daughter by contacting the School. Pupils may also seek access to personal information about them. However, there will be occasions when access is denied. Such occasions would include where access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, where access may result in a breach of the School's duty of care to the pupil, or where pupils have provided information in confidence.

9. As you may know the School from time to time engages in fundraising activities. Information received from you may be used to make an appeal to you. It may also be disclosed to organizations that assist in the School's fundraising activities solely for that purpose. We will not disclose your personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes without your consent.

10. We may include your contact details in a class list and School directory. If you do not agree to this you must advise us now.

11. If you provide the School with the personal information of others, such as doctors or emergency contacts, we encourage you to inform them that you are disclosing that information to the School and why, that they can access that information if they wish and that the School does not usually disclose the information to third parties.