By Cameron Lucadou-Wells, Ethan Benedicto
Parents are ringing alarm bells over the cost of Year 12 graduation ceremonies, amid a worsening cost-of-living crisis.
A disgruntled parent reached out to Star News regarding their child’s Year 12 expenses, specifically the $160 on valedictory dinner tickets.
The parent, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern over the fact that it would cost a small fortune for a family of five to attend the valedictorian dinner at Nossal High School.
“Families who can’t afford this expensive meal are not allowed to attend only for the event,” they said.
The official Nossal High School valedictory graduation dinner announcement stated that ticket prices included a three-course meal, soft drinks and would cover presentations and entertainment.
To be held at Pullman Melbourne Albert Park in November, the event itself is optional and is not compulsory for graduation.
Ticket limits were set to a maximum of five per family, with all members, including children, required to pay the full amount.
The parent wanted to shine some light on the “lack of care by taxpayer-funded schools”, adding that “this is a big day for all kids and families”.
Nossal school administration has also reached out to parents and families who expressed concern over the pricing, giving them a platform to liaise the amount.
Looking at similar events for seniors this year, Narre Warren South P-12 College’s upcoming Year 12 formal at Malvern Town Hall will be priced at $120 a head.
The rising cost-of-living is a central concern, and is acknowledged not just by the parent but also by Lyndhurst Secondary College principal Eloise Haynes, who said that a growing number of families were feeling the pressure of rising costs.
“We as a school see this with increasing requests for support for uniform, students and families needing additional support with essentials such as food,” she said.
Catering to Years 9-12, Nossal is one of only four academically selective high schools in the state.
According to School Informer and based on 2023 VCE results, Nossal ranked 15 out of 170 schools in the state, with a median VCE score of 36 and 27 per cent of their study scores being 40 or above.
Under the recent state budget, the State Government will provide $400 per student to government-school families as part of its recently announced School Saving Bonus.
The funds can be utilised to offset the cost of uniforms and activities. There is means-tested relief from the Government’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.
Despite rising costs of its own, Lyndhurst College kept parent payments “as low as possible”, Ms Haynes said.
Upfront fees differ between government secondary school in Casey, ranging from about $200 – $400 plus extras, such as musical instruments and tuition, camps, formals and graduation dinners – with VCE Outdoor Education fees possibly adding an extra $500.
Narre Warren South P-12 also subsidised its Year 12 end-of-year celebration day and worked closely with providers to negotiate the best prices for venues for formals.
For Ms Haynes, “we are still facilitating all the regular and important events, but also looking at best values for families”.
“We ensure the when we ask families to contribute for excursions etc. that these are all designed with strong educational purpose and value for students,” she said.
