Wagga mother Keira Povey is a big believer in private school education, despite the price tag.
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Ms Povey’s two children now attend Wagga’s Christian College, having previously attended a private school in Sydney.
Ms Povey said a private school education cost her family about four times as much in Sydney, as compared to Wagga.
She said a regional private school education was reasonably priced.
“You have to sacrifice as parents for things you believe are important,” Ms Povey said.
“It depends on what you value but for us it is worth it.
“Every child is different but for us the smaller school has helped our children.”
Ms Povey said she didn’t notice this year’s two per cent rise – a $30 per term increase.
At Wagga’s Christian College, fees will set you back $3505 per year for kindergarten to year four.
For years five to six, fees are set at $4075, years seven to eight $5095 and years nine to 12, $6115.
For kindergarten students to year six, the annual fee at Wagga’s Lutheran School is $3560.
Holy Trinity Primary School charged $1350 per year in 2016 but refused to disclose its 2017 fees.
At Henschke Primary School, the inflation was under two per cent, with school fees priced at $1504 in 2016, rising to $1524 for 2017.
Riverina Anglican College fees for years seven to 11 in 2016 cost parents $5975, with a small rise in 2017 with fees set at $6175.
Riverina Anglican College is one of the only Wagga private schools with year 12 fees which are cheaper than other years.
A year 12 student’s fees in 2016 cost $5770 while in 2017 year 12 fees are set at $5965.
At Mater Dei Catholic College, a year 12 student fees cost $4455 in 2016, which rose to $4540 in 2017.
Mother Tracey Morris, whose children also attend Wagga’s Christian College, said she was happy with the price of fees.
“Sydney parents seem to be paying for prestige and exclusivity,” she said.
“Here you are paying for a partnership with a school.
“The school’s in Wagga seem to know there are plenty of families struggling and keep increases down.”