| Keep up-to-date with us and what's happening in the education sector |
|
|
- 2025 Annual Budget
- Important Notices
-
Reminder - New Resource: AFS Budget Brochure
- Xero Tip of the Month: The New Duplicate Bill Feature
- Cost Saving Strategies: Tips for Schools to Reduce Operational Costs
- Looking ahead
|
|
|
We have now prepared the 2025 Budget Template reports for our regular monthly schools. These reports are located in Google Drive (2025 Accts - Budget).
If you haven't done so already, can you please upload the 2025 provisional roll and resourcing entitlement notices from Pourato so that we can include this information within the budget template.
You should have now received our 2025 Budget Chalkboard special, which provides further information about how to complete the budget templates (link to the 2025 Budget Chalkboard). Please let us know if you have any questions about the process.
If you are not one of the schools we generally assist around the annual budget, but would like us to prepare a Budget Template report for your school, please contact Allison Henderson via admin@afsl.nz |
|
|
2025 Roll Review:
If you have evidence that your 2025 provisional roll is likely to be higher than what the Ministry of Education has estimated, you can apply for a provisional roll review before 15 November 2024.
More information on how to request a provisional roll review can be found by clicking the button below. |
Staffing and Funding Calculator:
The staffing and funding calculator has been updated for 2025. This tool can be used to provide an estimate of your entitlement staffing and funding figures for the 2025 year based on predicted roll numbers.
Funding calculators - Ministry of Education
Using the 2025 staffing and funding calculator will help you understand whether a roll increase generates a staffing increase for the current year. It's a good idea to use this before submitting a staffing roll increase application. |
|
|
Leave Without Pay for Part-time Teachers:
If your school employs part-time teachers, it is essential to understand the calculations for unpaid leave. An incorrect calculation could result in an overpayment that the employee will need to repay to the Ministry.
Below is an example of how to calculate unpaid leave in a part-time scenario. Example:
A part-time teacher working 0.4 FTTE (effectively 2 days per week) takes 2 days of leave in the first week. If you process the 2 days (the days they are away), the leave will be calculated as follows: 0.40 FTTE / 14 x 2 = 0.06 FTTE (0.4 - 0.06 = 0.34). The teacher will be paid 0.34 FTTE instead of 0.2 FTTE (half of their 0.4 FTTE).
To ensure they are only paid 0.2 FTTE, you need to process 7 days of leave:
0.40 FTTE / 14 x 7 = 0.2 FTTE This results in a total of 0.2 FTTE remaining (0.4 - 0.2 = 0.2).
In essence, you should process a full week of leave instead of just the actual days taken.
For more information on LWOP for part-time teachers, please click the button below. If you need further assistance with the processing steps, feel free to contact EdPay for help. |
REMINDER - NEW RESOURCE: AFS BUDGET BROCHURE |
|
|
|
Just a reminder that our Budget Finance Handbook is now available for download in the Resources Hub section of our website! (https://www.afsl.nz/)
This resource is packed with valuable insights and guidance on every aspect of the budgeting process. It highlights key financial considerations and provides a clear overview of budgeting best practice, including how to effectively allocate resources, monitor expenditure, and forecast future financial needs to ensure a balanced and sustainable budget. We’d like to thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to develop resources for you and your school. If you have any suggestions for additional resources you'd like us to explore, please email us at marketing@afsl.nz. We’d love to hear from you! |
|
|
XERO TIP OF THE MONTH: THE NEW DUPLICATE BILL FEATURE
|
Did you know that Xero has released a new duplicate bill feature?
Now, when Xero detects duplicate transactions, you’ll receive a notification on the Purchase Overview screen and on all tabs of the Bills page. You can click the close icon to dismiss the alert. To review each set of duplicate transactions, click "Review" on the notification. If the bills and credit notes are not duplicates, you can select "Keep all." Otherwise, you can delete or void any duplicates.
If a bill or credit note has already been paid, you’ll need to manually remove the payment before you can void it. If you need assistance, please call AFS.
Please note that if you create bills or credit notes from a repeating bill template, Xero will not identify them as duplicates. However, it may recognise duplicates if they are created from two different repeating templates. Review identified duplicate transactions: -
In the Business menu, select Bills to pay.
- Click the menu icon, then select Review duplicate bills. Or, within the notification at the top of the page, click Review.
-
Click the contact name, then select the bill or credit note you want to review, or click Keep all if they’re not duplicates.
- Review the bill fields, then select Void, Delete or Keep all. You can also review the file attachments on the bill.
- Click Keep all, Delete or Void.
- Review any other other contacts with duplicate bills.
|
|
|
COST SAVING STRATEGIES: TIPS FOR SCHOOLS TO REDUCE OPERATIONAL COSTS
|
|
|
As schools navigate the complexities of budgeting and resource allocation, identifying ways to reduce operational costs has become increasingly essential.
While it may seem impossible to cut costs without compromising the quality of educational services, there are several areas where schools can enhance spending efficiency and achieve significant savings.
Below, we’ve compiled a range of cost-saving strategies that schools can implement to effectively lower their operational costs while maintaining a high standard of education. |
| |
|
1. Bulk Purchasing: Explore bulk purchasing agreements for supplies to benefit from lower prices. The Ministry of Education provides information on bulk purchasing options, which can lead to significant savings. Additionally, negotiate long-term contracts with suppliers to secure better pricing on regular supplies. 3. Reduce Paper Usage: Reduce paper usage by transitioning to digital processes (where possible). This can help cut down on printing costs and promote a more environmentally friendly approach.
4. Shut Off Computers: School computers in the computer rooms and offices require a lot of electricity. Shut down the computer rather than putting it to sleep to save on operational costs. You can install software and timers into the system that shuts off all the electrical programmed appliances after school hours. That way you can save on around 12 hours of unnecessary electrical usage.
5. Hire out Facility Space: Hiring out space is an idea to bring money in rather than save, but nonetheless, it will help the school budget. Most schools have areas that can be useful for organisations in the community. Offering to hire out these spaces creates a way for schools to bring some money in while strengthening community connections. Schools may consider hiring out sports facilities or equipment, theatre space for rehearsals or shows, or the school hall for community meetings or other events. Another idea is to hire out the car park for special events nearby.
6. Waste Reduction Strategies: Implementing waste reduction strategies benefits both the environment and the budget. Schools can initiate recycling programmes and work to minimise food waste in cafeterias.
7. Work with Local Businesses: Many local businesses are interested in sponsoring school events, as it offers them valuable exposure in the community. By partnering with these businesses, schools can not only reduce costs but also create mutually beneficial relationships. Seeking sponsorships or donations can help cover event expenses, and schools may also benefit from discounts on products and services.
|
|
|
271 Willis Street, Wellington 6011 |
|
|
|
