$90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Still in shock following our eldests intro into his new high school! Following a very lovely talk by the principle and students from the school we were handed out our 'intro packs' - usual rules, regs and fees - the book pack $120 (fair enough), then the school uniform list!!! I think every parent in the assembly hall suddenly gulped!!! Whats more all parts of the uniform are compulsary - its not like we can pop to BigW and grab a couple of spare shirts or shorts. It was a very hot topic last night - I overheard several parents questioning how on earth they can charge $90 for a top and $58 for a pair of shorts, in fact I'm wondering how we can afford it!!

At Eumundi we have a seconds shop and also an exchange programme - I did ask but theres nothing like this at the high school! Oh dear.........

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

It's not fair is it. I never realised just how much it costs over here to send your kids to school. Uniforms, stationary, school fees.:ohmy:
How on earth low income earners manage i will never know.

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

It is rather expensive.

But...


The other option (no school uniforms) ends up costing a fair bit more.
Fashion changes and looking better than a next one.

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

thats what the school said too (as obviously we all approached the principle last night)!! But...... a school shirt doesn't cost $90 to produce. The shirts are very similar to my boys primary school ones and they cost me $28 each (basic polo shirts with an embroidered emblem on)! On top of that its compulsary to purchase the school bag, the sports holdall,belt,wallet (which will of course be empty) pencil case,socks etc The other option available to us was Noosa district high school - comparing notes with my friends kids that are going to be going there - its a similar thing price wise (58 a shirt) but other items aren't compulsary. Our dilemma is we're really happy with St Theresa's, its got a great reputation, so I guess we'll just have to pay up and be broke for xmas ;)

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

That's outrageous. I sell our High School Middle School polo's for $30. Unfortunately have now been told by my supplier that they will go up because fabric costs have gone up. The new stock won't be more than $35 though. My most expensive item of clothing is either the cotton knitted jumper with embroidered logo is $70 or the Tracksuit jacket - detailed and with the stitched logo is also $70.

I'm in contact with the majority of school clothing suppliers in QLD, as well as some in NSW and Vic and none of them even come close to that price. You're being ripped off big time.

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

My daughter's blazer cost over $200!!I have just bought her a school swimming costume for $90.50, but that is less than the aquablades cost in the shops apparently....Spent over $600 kitting her out for the summer.:(

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

OMG!!!! I thought mine were outrageous prices!!! Ahhhh Penny, whats worst is I have 2 more kids to go up to the high school - we're estimating its going to cost around $600 to kit him out. I know one mum whose son is leaving year 12, I asked her if I could buy Lukes school uniform and she said they're in appalling condition as they kitted him out in year 8 and couldn't afford to buy him anymore stuff so he has to make do for 5 yrs!!!! She advised me to buy the uniforms in larger sizes and get a sewing machine!!!!

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

That's ridiculous. I have parents struggle to buy new at my prices let alone what you're paying. I have a big second hand section. Does your school not even do that? Mind you, as you say, at those prices, the clothes would be worn to death to get monies worth. Clothing three 'rough & tumble' boys sounds expensive at the best of times. Boys aren't known for their care of clothing :eek:

I think the first thing you do is get on the school's P&C Committee and find out exactly how they can justify the costs. Even the private schools down here don't charge that amount (I don't think.) Just out of interest, what company name is in the label?

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

This is timely. My daughters' are having school photos today and I couldn't believe the price. The basic pack starts at $20. For a class photo (you can't just buy it as a single print) you pay $30 - so that's a total of $60 for both kids!

What a complete rip-off. For the first time I actually said no. I can print one myself for about 50c.

I wonder if the school gets a cut of the profits?

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

That's good to know that not all uniforms are that expensive!!!

Do you think it is the supplier ripping glittababe's school off?

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

We used to in the UK. Until one year when the photographer did such a crap job, no one bought them. The next year the price had dropped and even though the standard was still not the best, more people bought.

I think I bought the pics the first time they were done here. Now I just wait for the year book and make do with that pic. It's not like I don't know what my girls look like :lol:

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

There's a certain emotional blackmail that goes on with school photos - and I think we're all trapped by it to a certain extent.

This year I've broken the mould - I felt guilty for about 2 minutes but then felt great that I'd basically told the photograph where to shove it.

$30 - Jesus!

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

I need to get my head around all these school costs....fees, uniforms, etc.

We've got a 7month old baby boy and school is just around the corner for him :)

(ok, maybe not just around the corner. but I like to be prepared)

More importantly I really need to figure out how we should choose a "good" school for him. Every now and then, a friend/relative/colleague will say something like "have you started looking at schools for him yet?" :D Give me a break, he's only 2feet tall.

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

You could always sell hubby's car. ;):p

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Blazer $195
Raincoat $25
Art Smocks $30
Dresses $66
Skivvies $15
Pullover $52
Bathers $60
Sport Hat $25
Summer Boater $60
Librar bag $15
Music bag $18
School bag $72

:eek: glad the wife is going to the second hand shop

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

The school does have second hand uniform, but it has just changed to a new one so there is very little to sell. It is a private school as we could not get into a selective one for term 4 year 7, so we not only have $20,000 to pay for fees, but all the clubs etc on top of books and uniform. So we only bought one car, and are in a not very nice rental, and I will get a job once we have got ourselves sorted. Having said that, the school is fantastic and DD is very happy there. The school have lent us stuff until our own arrives!- saved on about $3000 rental costs, so I shouldn't grumble.

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

May be but it's probably also the school or the P&C taking too much profit. No supplier I've spoken to has come up with a figure higher than $40. That was for the latest top of the range fibre, made in Aus. If that's the material her school is using (not necessary for schools - same fabric as top footie clubs would use), their profit margin is way higher than necessary. Our High School is a really good one with a fair range of well to do people down to Centrelink families. None of them would pay that. The well off would refuse far more vocally than the poorer parents.

We don't have a huge uniform but because I've had to increase the price of new stock, i know some of the uniform won't get bought if the parents know what they can get away with.

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Are you sure all of this is absolutely necessary? Espec belt and wallet! How will they barely know the difference. I have no exp. of Aus schools but I remember they tried to do the same thing at my school in the UK, said school bag, school coat, school scrunchie (!) etc all compulsory, but when you actually started school, everyone was wearing their own versions and turned out they weren't compulsory at all, they just liked to push it to try and increase their cut.

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Try coming to NSW on a 457 visa and getting banged for 5k a year and then the uniform on top.

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Well this is a good honest thread - tell it like it is. Hope that any people intending to go read this and appreciate what is being said.

Yes, school uniforms are VERY expensive in Oz.......reasons why I believe this is so:

The clothes are Aussie made, making them more expensive than made in Asia but also poorer quality IMHO. We sourced M&S trousers and shorts that were far superior quality yet also far cheaper. Work that out.
The school will be getting a cut of the sale price from the manufacturer/distributor that is CERTAIN.

My kids spent some time at an Anglican college and the uniform cost was horrendous. Plus, the perfectly suitable black leather shoes we got from the UK (velcro fasteners) were ruled out as they HAD TO BE LACE UPS........WTF !!!!!

Now.....even more horrendous......It was compulsory to wear the school swimmers......$25 a go for boys speedos......And they would only get worn once maybe twice a year on the schools annual swimming gala. Three senior boys who turned up to swim on gala day but not in school swimmers were told they could not participate....and it was mentioned in the school newsletter.

Talk about operating Colditz........we moved them to a school that did not have a little Hitler in charge.

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Oooo I'll find out the name - as I haven't brought one yet I don't know! :D

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Private schools eh...Who'da thought they would rip you off...:blink:

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

That was the case but most of the Aussie suppliers now have their own factories in Asia (China generally) and so control the quality whilst keeping the price lower than Aussie made. Half our stuff is made onshore whilst the rest goes to the overseas factories. There is little difference in workmanship now - suppliers know they won't be able to sell it to schools otherwise. Parents struggle enough paying for the stuff, they now require it to last as well :lol:

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Sorry but not all children care about the latest fashions and not all parents skint themselves to keep up with their demands. OP quite right to complain, school must be after making a few $$$ out of the kids parents :sneaky:

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

and no, we have been told that all the uniform on the list is compulsary. They said if a child has a different bag etc then they will be classed as different, they said the kids can personalise stuff with keyrings etc but they have to have the schools bags,wallet,pencil case etc. Just talking about it over dinner and my eldest said "Mum as I'm 13 surely i can get a part time job to pay for some of it?" he was so sincere bless him, we've reassured him that we will pay for it, Mark will do more overtime and I'll have to do more photo shoots - ah well.....

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

haha its not a private school!!! Its a catholic college we've been told that doesn't make it a private/independant school?????:confused: The actual fees for the year equate to the same as each of the boys attending their present state school! $1688 for the year

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Well I'll tell ya summat....I dunno where they get these numbers from

I've put 3 kids through state school and haven't paid anything near $1688 a year

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

text book hire,paper levy,building levy,donation (optional),raw art (art lessons),surf awareness (very important),swimming (v important) stationary!!! Ah I have a huge list and could go on! Think it depends on the state school, we know others that pay way more than us!

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

We only pay for stuff like that at the beginning of the term they are actually doing that subject and the way our school works is that subjects are moved in and out (chosen by the child and parent) each term. So art fees for example are only paid a couple of terms a year. Then you have the fees for the weekly sports day during two or three terms - depending on what sport the child has picked. Mine never seem to pick the free ones - funny that :rolleyes: It all adds up at the end of the year. I can't imagine paying it all in one go:eek:

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

and I haven't even included the things they do per term!!! All those lovely special sessions and trips! Ah well, I remember my mum moaning about the price of us going to school in Wales - now I understand!!!;)

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

I'll stand corrected...But I always assumed state schools were free..apart from the incidentals of course..books,pens.paper, school trips etc..:ohmy:
uniform...Just checked the lads stuff....$30 for a shirt,$58 for a sweatshirt

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Perhaps they keep the fees down by charging so much for the uniform!

My children are at an Anglican school and the uniform costs nowhere near what you're being expected to pay - I pay around $35 for a boys sports shirt and between $35 and $40 for cotton day shirts. Sounds like the school your son will be going to has a considerable mark up - perhaps a campaign by parents could bring prices down.

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

and to think I used to pay two pounds fifty for a plain white polo shirt in the Uk :unsure: In fact I think asda did all the colours of the uniforms in the area! Just been told by hubby to stop whinging! Your right tho, think how popular I'll be when I start a protest at the school ;)

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

My daughter goes to high school next year.

So far the list of must haves is:

$310 for the year's text book hire
About $200 stationery
School blouse = $39.00
Trousers = $50
School bag = $70!!!!!!!!!!
Jumper = $65
School 'formal' hat (what the hell is that?!) = $60.00

and so on .... so uniform is likely to be about $300.

BTW - this is a state school! Bring back school milk I say :eek::thumbup: *she says while mulling over what the hell our taxes pay for?*

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Might be worth carefully unstitching the logo when it's time to move up to the next size and sewing it onto an ordinary polo shirt. My mum is Scottish, so I guess frugality is in my blood!

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

jesus my kids go to state school and they have to wear navy blue with white or light blue tops, 90% kids are dressed out of Big W school does not care jumpers 55 but are really warm so do instead of coat in wimter

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Also don't want to rub your noses in it guys, but our kids' uniform cost:

£11 for sweatshirt
£5 for pack of two white polo shirts
£7 for pack of two grey trousers

Sorry

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

WTF???? Ahhhh so not fair :( :p

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Have we got the most expensive girls summer dress around then at $70? It really doesn't take much fabric to make a dress for a kindy age kid. I don't mind the boys' stuff too much, it's verging on expensive but very good quality, but I really can't get my head around the cost of the dress.

Re: $90 for a school top!!! Pushing it too far!
 

Almost as pricey for us. DD's kindy dress is $60 (for the summer one... I daren't look at the uniform list too often LOL).

Had a meeting at her new school last night (she starts in the New Year) and they were doing a "starter" pack:

Dress (shorts & short-sleeved logo'd shirt for boys)
socks
school bag
library bag
art smock
wide-brimmed hat

Came to $150 ($140 for the boy version). Plus we'll have to buy PE kit when she starts, once they tell us her House colours. Hoping the fees themselves aren't too much as I've "only" set aside $100 per month this year for school costs next year (so will have $1200 by year end, less the $150 for uniform last night). Will also need to buy maybe one more dress... gulp