Oh for goodness sake. Its “voluntary” …. How dare they treat children in this way. I would be phoning the Education Department and raising merry hell.

Totally unfair! Excluding the students for the parents choices is never the answer. A forced voluntary fee is not voluntary.

Yeah, a bit unfair. They’re punishing the kids for an issue that should be resolved with the parents. It must be annoying to have parents not pay levies, but it is a voluntary one

Totally unfair, who is it enriching? At $110 I presume it’s the school.

A voluntary fee that attracts penalties – ridiculous!!

This is pretty awful – it just highlights to all the other kids which families can’t afford it. I hope they don’t get bullied.

This shouldn’t be happening in public schools. Kids shouldn’t be excluded because their parents can’t afford to pay.

I feel for the kids as it isnt really their fault, but I can also see it from the schools point of view too

Ooh, a little unfair on the children. But, I also understand there are many parents who choose not to pay such fees as long as they can get away with it. If all notice has been given to the parents and communications clear, then it is the parent’s fault their child has missed out. Too often these days parents claim they didn’t receive or read communications. About time they did!

This is so wrong. Some people find it difficult just to pay the regular fees which can be quite steep. If they want the extra fees paid they shouldn’t be called “voluntary” fees. As far as I know voluntary means it’s up to the discretion of the family. Why not call it extra fees which is really what it is. And why should the children be made to feel like it’s their fault. It’s just another excuse for bullying. They should have all fees written in the pamphlets or letters that parents receive and called excess fees. Honestly for some people it’s all they can do to find money for regular schooling, uniforms, books and everything else they have to supply for their children to receive “free education” which it’s not.

That’s disgusting! It’s not the kids fault!

Its a voluntary fee that has penalties for not paying it sounds ridiculous

Yes, unfair ! A voluntary fee is and should be totally voluntary.

I really can’t believe what l just read. $110 is a alot to many famalies its just too bigger stretch for their budget. Any option of a payment plan ????? As for attendance since when does being 5 or 10 mins late mean non attendance. Then this school has the hard heardest to ban children from activities not for things they have done wrong but things that their parents have control over. To separate these children from the others , gives them a label , a stigma , a reason for the others to start asking questions why didn’t you go to pirate day ???? Very good basis for the start of bullying. This school better do a quick rethink on their rules or they are going to find themselves in a whole lot of trouble.

So ridiculous how,icy it is PER child. Not great teaching kids to be excluded

school costs are ridiculous now

I am extremely glad they are now providing Breakfast for children at schools!!!! But their is more to support and provide to those who need it most, such as children. No one should ever get left behind is my motto! The government should have such things as policies in place for circumstances like this as the one mentioned in the article, so every child gets to receive the same experience in education and fun activity, even if it is a Pirate Show! Damage to child can be caused. No one should ever get left behind!!!!

I think this is quite unfair and stigmatising. I pay my fees and make an effort to get the kids to school on time – but who knows what problems other people are dealing with?

I feel sorry for these students but if it was clear in the enrolment information then that’s the way it is. Get your kids to school on time like everyone else and pay your fees. Schools aren’t free!

I think anything that punishes kids for something their parents did or didn’t do is unfair. It’s heartbreaking. I also don’t like the attendance thing. I don’t think a day off should be counted if the child is too sick for school. Even if they wanted proof to not count the day towards the % tally (could still be recorded just not used against the family) like getting a doctor’s certificate or something. Being punished for being sick or not having money right away for certain things is cruel. Would the school prefer the kids to go to school and spread their ailment around for everyone to enjoy? Or the child to go without food or electricity so their school fees are paid promptly? They should get the chance to show they will pay it, making a deposit perhaps.