We will assess all applications to enrol against the following criteria:
Siblings of students already enrolled in the school may be given priority for enrolment.
Applications for enrolment are prioritised according to the date order of receiving the application for enrolment.
While it is not a specified criterion in the Enrolment Policy and Procedures, when the number of available placements is limited, it is appropriate to consider the age and development of a child when discerning between applicants who are equally qualified.
When considering whether a student will support the ethos of the school the following factors will be considered:
1. the capacity to self-manage, study independently, stay safe and adhere to the Living School’s VAST model (in settings inside and outside of the school campus).
2. The ability of the prospective student to benefit from the educational offering of the School.
3. The ability of the prospective student to contribute positively to the Living School community.
4. The student and family’s preparedness and capacity to embrace the school’s community-centred holistic learning approach.
5. Competence in English as our instructional language.
In summary, the key foundations for successful enrolment require the student to want to enrol, a love of learning, kindness and the intentional commitment to uphold our values of Respect, Responsibility and positive/productive Relationships
The school will not discriminate against students according to disability, race, gender, or denomination.
There are obligations of students as listed in our fee schedule:
6.1 Students are required to have high standards of behaviour and:
(a) abide by the School Rules and Codes of Conduct as they apply from time-to-time,
(b) behave courteously and considerately to each other and to staff at all times,
(c) not do anything which may bring the School into disrepute, including in print and electronic media,
(d) support the goals and values of the School,
(e) attend and, if required, participate in assemblies, the School sports program, important school events such as Community Day or other events determined by the Conductor, and camps and excursions that are an integral part of the School curriculum,
(f) uphold the School code of dress as prescribed including when travelling to and from school and follow acceptable standards of appearance while at school in accordance with the School’s guidelines and the expectation of the School community,
(g) attend the School during school hours, except in the case of sickness or where leave has been given or an exemption from attendance has been granted.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STUDENTS – HERE
7.1 Parents:
3.1 ENROLMENT PROCESS “POINTS OF ENTRY”
The School has limited places to offer. After these places are offered, a waiting list is drawn up. This list will be used to make later Offers of Enrolment if students to whom initial offers were made decide not to accept their offers, or if students already enrolled withdraw from the School.
3.2 RECEIVING AN OFFER OF ENROLMENT
The School’s Enrolment Process is outlined in this document. All Offers of Enrolment are subject to an interview with the Conductor (school principal). Prior to the School making an Offer of Enrolment, an Application to Enrol, together with an Application Fee, needs to be received and processed. All Applicants are assessed against the Enrolment Criteria, and Applicants that meet the Enrolment Criteria are sent an invitation to participate in the Enrolment Interview. Successful Applicants then receive an Offer of Enrolment.
3.3 DEFERRING AN OFFER OF ENROLMENT
Whilst it is possible to defer a student’s Application to Enrol to a later point of entry, it is not possible to defer an Offer of Enrolment. If we offer a student a place for a particular entry point, that offer only applies to that point of entry – it does not apply for a later entry point.
For example, if we offer a child a place at the School starting in Year 5, but the parents decide that they wish to defer the child’s entry until Year 7, they cannot defer the original offer to take it up at the later entry point. They can, however, choose to have their child remain on the normal “List of Prospective Students” for the next point of entry. We will reconsider their Application to Enrol at the next entry point, with all other applications.
3.4 ENROLMENT CONTRACT
Parents may accept a place for their child by signing the Enrolment Contract and paying the required Enrolment Fee. This will establish the parents’ agreement to support the School Rules and Policies, to pay the School Fees and Charges, to accept the Conditions of Enrolment and the consequences of suspension or termination of Enrolment.
3.5 FEES DURING THE ENROLMENT PROCESS
3.6 PRIVACY OF INFORMATION SUPPLIED
All enrolment information that parents supply during the enrolment process will be kept confidential and accessed only by those staff involved in the enrolment process. If an application to enrol is not successful we will retain the information, with the permission of the parents, in case a place should become available later.
3.7 PARENTS’ DECLARATION
In completing the Application to Enrol form we will ask parents/carers to declare that to the best of their knowledge they have:
If a parent withholds information relevant to the Application and Enrolment Process then we will reserve the right to refuse, or terminate, the Enrolment Process on these grounds.
3.8 WHEN GUARDIANS OR CARERS ARE ENROLLING STUDENTS
In this Policy we have referred to ‘parents’ to indicate those people responsible for enrolling students. Most of our enrolments involve the natural parents of children so we have chosen to use this terminology to simplify our documents. However, we readily accommodate an Application to Enrol, where guardians or carers have responsibility for a student’s application.
3.9 WHEN SEPARATED SINGLE PARENTS ARE ENROLLING STUDENTS
Living School expects openness and honesty when enrolling a student. The School expects all parties with legal responsibilities for a child to be aware, to communicate all enrolment requirements, and to be supportive of their child’s enrolment at Living School.
3.10 ENROLMENT POLICY CHANGES
The School reserves the right to alter its Enrolment Policy. Parents are encouraged to contact the School to find out if there have been any changes.
3.11 FURTHER INFORMATION
In the event that you have any questions, or need further information, please contact: [email protected]
4.1 As Living School will be taking enrolments in the first years of growth throughout the year, the following process will be adhered to:
4.1.1 The parent/carer completes the Application for Enrolment Form, which contains questions about the student’s educational needs.
4.1.2 Living School’s enrolment criteria is applied.
4.1.3 The Conductor (school principal), or delegate, will interview all applicants.
4.1.4 If individual education needs are identified, then the process of gathering and analysing information is undertaken.
4.1.5 Following the collection of this information about the student, the school discusses the program of support and reasonable adjustments that can be offered with the parents/carers.
4.1.6 If the enrolment is to proceed, the support offered by the school is outlined in a letter of offer, which may include:
4.2 Once Living School is operational and enrolments are stable, the following timeline will be followed:
Term 1
Terms 2-3
Term 4
Term 5
Term 6
4.3 LATE ENROLMENTS
Late enrolments will be accommodated if the need arises and there is space available. The procedures will be the same as outlined, however, the time-line will change. Where possible, we shall strive not to interrupt the teaching and learning programs underway. To this end, we would prefer to enrol new students at the start of the relevant new term.
4.4 FLOW CHART: Enrolment Guidelines and Support for Students with Disabilities
| STAGE | OUTLINE | PERSON |
|
Stage One ENROLMENT APPLICATION |
Initial parent/carer enquiry |
Secretary sends application for enrolment form Secretary creates a folder to record details under Enquiries |
| Interview parent and student, according to the school’s enrolment policy criteria | Conductor or delegate | |
| Does the student have a disability? | Conductor or delegate in consultation with parents | |
|
Stage Two INFORMATION ABOUT THE STUDENT’S EDUCATIONAL NEEDS |
Written permission from parents to the school to investigate the student’s educational needs | Secretary and signed/dated/noted by the Conductor and placed on file |
|
Parents and school collect information to determine the student’s educational needs regarding: · Physical access, equipment, building modifications · Health issues · Personal care needs · Communication needs · Curriculum access · Specialist agencies · Emergency procedures |
Conductor Teachers Learning Support and/or consultants Parents |
|
|
Summary of information. Consideration of how Living School can meet the student’s needs. |
School personnel Data/file records managed by school secretary |
|
|
Stage Three NEGOTIATING THE STUDENT’S CURRICULUM |
Conductor (school principal) meets with parents and other relevant/appropriate professionals to discuss the educational program the school can offer. |
Conductor Parents/carers Professionals Relevant staff |
| ENROLMENT PROCEEDS | ENROLMENT DOES NOT PROCEED | |
|
· Parent letter stating what the school can offer and accepting the enrolment; signed by parents. · Complete Student Support Plan. · Transition orientation program proceeds if required and as outlined in the Individual Learning Plan. · Enrolment reviewed regularly to ensure school continues to make reasonable adjustments to meet the student’s needs. |
This may occur because: Parents choose not to continue with the enrolment if they believe the school is unable to adequately meet their child’s needs. Or The school can demonstrate that the enrolment will cause unjustifiable hardship in relation to the student and the circumstances of the school. |
1.1 An offer of enrolment must be accepted by both Parents where appropriate unless the School agrees to waive this requirement. Upon acceptance of an offer, all signatories to the terms and conditions will be jointly and severally liable in respect of the obligations contained in these terms and conditions.
1.2 The acceptance of the offer must be accompanied by an enrolment fee of $1500
1.3 If the student does not commence the enrolment, the enrolment fee will not be refunded unless the School, acting reasonably, agrees that there are special circumstances supporting a full or partial refund. A decision to enrol the student at another school will not, of itself, constitute special circumstances.
1.4 If the Parents wish to defer the entry of a student to a different calendar year to the initial request, the School will advise whether it is able to agree to this. If it is unable to agree, the Student will be placed on a waiting list for the requested year but enrolment cannot be guaranteed.
1.5 Enrolment is dependent on the School receiving the first term’s fees in the year of entry not less than 4 months prior to the start of the term, or such shorter time agreed in writing by the School. If the fees are not received by the due date the enrolment will lapse.
2.1 All enrolments are at the discretion of the School and conditional upon the School
being satisfied in its reasonable discretion that the Student’s needs can be met by the School. The School may cancel the enrolment if it reasonably determines prior to the start of the enrolment that the Student’s needs cannot be met.
2.2 The School may require Parents to provide reports and assessments necessary to determine the particular needs of the Student.
2.3 Competence in English is a pre requisite for enrolment. If the School considers that the English language capabilities of the Student are not sufficient it may require the Student to undergo an intensive English language course. If the required language level is not reached the School may decide that the enrolment should be cancelled.
If the School reasonably considers that the progress of a Student is unsatisfactory and that it can no longer meet the Student’s needs it may terminate the enrolment of the Student by giving not less than one term’s notice.
4.1 The School Council determines the fees and charges that will be payable from time to time which are set out in a Schedule of Fees. The Schedule of Fees is revised regularly and may be amended each year. Where possible, the School will give not less than one (1) term’s notice of any change to the Schedule of Fees.
4.2 Fees and charges are also levied for (boarding), co-curricular activities, elective subjects, excursions, sport and camps.
4.3 The School may also incur expenditure for the Student’s needs on behalf of the Parents as it reasonably considers necessary, which may be added to the Parents’ school account.
4.4 All medical expenses reasonably incurred on behalf of a Student must be reimbursed by the Parents.
4.5 All fees and charges must be paid on or before the due date set out in the fees notice.
4.6 If fees and charges are not paid within 30 days of the due date an overdue charge may be levied calculated on the amount outstanding from the due date. This charge reflects the reasonable administrative and financial costs of collecting the outstanding fees and charges which may be incurred by the School as a result of the late payment. The charges payable from time to time can be obtained from the School office.
4.7 While an invoice for fees and charges remains outstanding, the School may determine that the student will not be permitted to participate in any discretionary activity offered by the School (such as, sport, excursions, camps and local, interstate or overseas trips).
4.8 If fees and charges are not paid within 60 days of the due date the enrolment of the Student’s enrolment may be terminated unless the School agrees in writing to accept other arrangements. Failure to abide by any other agreed arrangements may result in the enrolment of the Student being terminated without further notice.
4.9 Fees will not be remitted in whole or part if the Student is absent due to illness, leave or suspension.
4.10 If students are undertaking activities which incur extra fees or charges, not less than six (6) weeks’ notice must be given to discontinue these activities or six (6) weeks’ fees for these activities will be charged unless the School in its reasonable discretion agrees to waive some or all of these fees.
5.1 Where students leave to enrol at another school, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requires that Parents advise the School in writing of the name of the school the Student will be attending and the grade the Student will be entering at the
new school.
5.2 Subject to 5.3, if Parents wish to withdraw a Student from the School, notice given must be not less than one full term’s notice to expire at the end of a term.
5.3 If the School does not give at least one term’s notice of an increase in the fees payable by the Parent/Carer, the Parents may withdraw the Student from the end of the term in which the notice of the Fee increase was given provided notice of withdrawal is given to the School within 30 days of the date on which the notice of the Fee increase was given.
5.4 If the required notice of withdrawal of a Student is not given and the School is not reasonably able to immediately fill the student’s place for the relevant term the Parents must pay a School term’s fees plus GST.
6.1 Students are required to have high standards of behaviour and:
(a) abide by the School Rules and Codes of Conduct as they apply from time-to-time,
(b) behave courteously and considerately to each other and to staff at all times,
(c) not do anything which may bring the School into disrepute, including in print and electronic media,
(d) support the goals and values of the School,
(e) attend and, if required, participate in assemblies, the School sports program, important school events such as Speech Day or other events determined by the Principal, and camps and excursions that are an integral part of the School curriculum,
(f) wear the School uniform as prescribed including when travelling to and from school and follow conventional standards of appearance while at school in accordance with the School’s guidelines and the expectation of the School community,
(g) attend the School during school hours, except in the case of sickness or where leave has been given or an exemption from attendance has been granted.
7.1 Parents:
(a) must accept and abide by the requirements and directions of the School Council and the Principal relating to the Student or students generally and not interfere in any way with conduct, management and administration of the School,
(b) are required to support the goals, values and activities of the School, and
(c) should view the School’s parent portal on a regular basis and/or read the weekly Newsletter.
7.2 Parents must promptly advise the School:
(a) in writing of any change of home, mailing, email address or contact details or other information on the Enrolment Application Form. Offers of enrolment may be cancelled if the School loses contact with the parent or mail is returned,
(b) if the Student will be absent from the School due to ill health or other reason,
(c) in writing of any Orders or arrangements that affect the Student concerning custody or access, any change to them or any other orders or arrangements which were relevant to the Student’s education and welfare and provide copies of any Orders to the School.
7.3 Parents also:
(a) must ensure the Student has each item of officially required uniform, clean and in good repair, and all other requirements such as textbooks and stationery,
(b) should communicate with students, other parent/carer(s), visitors and staff members in a courteous manner, and follow the communication guidelines laid down by the School from time-to-time and observe the Parent Code of Conduct,
(c) should use their reasonable endeavours to attend parent-teacher interviews and parent forums and participate in courses offered by the School which are relevant to the Student’s education,
(d) must not disseminate inaccurate, misleading or defamatory information on social media to in relation to the School, staff, students or other members of the School community.
8.1. Parents must advise the School as soon as reasonably practicable if they become aware of any special needs that the Student may have including, but not limited to, any medical, physical, psychological needs, or any changes to these needs.
8.2. Parents must complete and return to the School the required health form for the Student prior to the Student commencing at the School and provide updates if circumstances change or as required by the School from time to time.
8.3. If the Student is ill or injured, requiring urgent hospital and/or medical treatment ( including but not limited to injections, blood transfusions, surgery) and where a Parent is not readily available to authorise such treatment, the Principal or, in the Principal’s absence, a senior staff member of the School, may give the necessary authority for such treatment. The Parents indemnify the School, its employees and agents in respect of all costs and expenses arising directly or indirectly out of such treatment except to the extent that such costs or expenses arise as a result of the reckless or negligent conduct of the School, its agents or employees.
8.4. Parents must observe School security procedures for the protection of students.
8.5. Students are responsible for their personal belongings and the School does not accept any responsibility for the loss or damage to those belongings.
8.6. The Principal or the Principal’s nominee may search the Student’s bag, locker or other possessions where there are reasonable grounds to do so, in order to maintain a safe environment for all students.
9.1. The School determines the educational and other programs and activities conducted at the School from time to time in its reasonable discretion.
9.2. The School may change its programs and activities and the content of these programs and activities without notice where reasonably necessary or desirable to do so.
9.3. The Student will be required to participate in all compulsory activities including excursions, camps and outdoor education unless the Principal agrees otherwise. Charges may be levied for these activities and will be payable unless the Student is
unable to attend due to ill health or other good reason which makes it impossible for the Student to attend.
The School will generally send academic reports and notices to the address or addresses notified by the Parents. Where Parent do not live together, reports and notices will be sent to both Parents at the address notified by them, unless:
(a) there is an Order of the Court providing reports and notices to be sent to one Parent,
(b) there is an agreement between the Parents that the reports and notices will be sent to one Parent, or
(c) the School in its reasonable discretion considers that it is in the best interests of the Student that reports and notices should only be sent to one Parent.
If the Parent/carer(s) wish to seek leave for the Student not to attend any School academic or co-curricular program or activity during a term, they must apply to the Principal. Leave will usually only be granted in most extreme circumstances.
12.1. The School may suspend or terminate the enrolment of a student at any time for reasons which may include, but are not limited to:
(a) a serious breach of the School’s rules or Code of Conduct
(b) where a Parent has breached these Enrolment Conditions [or the Parent Code of Conduct];
(c) conduct prejudicial to the reputation of the School or the well-being of its students or staff, and;
(d) where the Principal or School Council reasonably believes that a mutually beneficial relationship of co-operation and trust between the School and the Parents or a Parent has broken down to the extent that it adversely impacts on that relationship
12.2. The School will only exercise its powers under this clause to terminate the enrolment if it has provided the Student and their Parent(s) with details of the conduct which may result in a decision to terminate the enrolment and provided them with a
reasonable opportunity to respond and where there has been procedural fairness.
12.3. The School may terminate the enrolment of the Student [without notice/ on 14 days’ notice] if, either before or after the commencement of enrolment, the School finds the relevant particulars of the special needs of the Student have not been provided to the School or the particulars provided are materially incorrect or misleading, and the failure to provide that information has had a material effect on the School or the student’s welfare or both.
13.1. The Parents must provide accurate information to the School about any arrangement between Parents or Court Orders in relation to the Student at the time for applying for enrolment. The Parents must immediately notify the School of any new
arrangements or changes to any previously communicated arrangements.
13.2. The Parents must immediately notify the School of any new Court Orders or changes to any previously communicated Court Orders.
The Parent/guardian(s) acknowledge that they have read the School’s privacy policy.
The School may alter the terms and conditions of enrolment at any time by giving not less than two (2) terms’ notice to the Parents) in writing which shall apply to both current and future students and parent/guardian(s) from the date specified in the
notice.
In the terms and conditions:
Parent(s) means the parent/guardian(s) who entered into the contract of enrolment with the School.
Principal means Conductor
School means the Living School.
Student means the student who is named in the contract of enrolment.
School uniform means the sensible casual attire expected of students
– COLLECTION NOTICE –
1. The School collects personal information, including sensitive information about students and parents or guardians before and during the course of a student’s enrolment at the School. The primary purpose of collecting this information is to enable the School to provide schooling to the student and enable the student to take part in all the activities of the School.
2. Some of the information we collect is to satisfy the School’s legal obligations, particularly to enable the School to discharge its duty of care.
3. Laws governing or relating to the operation of schools require certain information to be collected and disclosed. These include relevant Education Acts, Public Health and Child Protection laws.
4. Health information about students is sensitive information within the terms of the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act. We may ask you to provide medical reports about students from time to time.
5. If we cannot obtain the information referred to above, we may be unable to enrol or continue the enrolment of your child.
6. The School, from time to time, discloses personal and sensitive information to others for administrative and educational purposes, including to facilitate the transfer of a student to another school. This includes to other schools; government departments or agencies such as the NSW Department of Education, NSW Education Standards Authority, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA); medical practitioners and people providing services to the School, including specialist visiting teachers, (sports) coaches, volunteers, counsellors and professional service agencies.
7. Personal information may be used for the purpose of publishing certain school information relating to the general circumstances of parents and students on the MySchool website, in accordance with Australian Government requirements.
8. Personal information collected from students is regularly disclosed to their parents or guardians.
9. The School may utilise external providers to deliver certain services including ‘cloud’ data storage to the School and its staff and students. The School may store personal information in the ‘cloud’ which may mean that it resides on servers that are located outside Australia.
10. The School has a Policy that sets out how parents or students may seek access to personal information collected about them. However, there will be occasions when access is denied. Such occasions would include where access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, where access may result in a breach of the School’s duty of care to the student, or where students have provided information in confidence.
11. The School from time to time may engage in fundraising activities. Information received from you may be used to make an appeal to you. Such information may also be disclosed to organisations that assist in the School’s fundraising activities solely for that purpose. We will not disclose your personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes without your consent.
12. On occasions information such as academic and sporting achievements, student activities and school related news is published in School newsletters, magazines or other publications and on the School website. Photographs of student activities such as academic or sporting events, school camps and excursions may be taken for publication in newsletters and magazines and on our intranet.
13. The School may include your contact details in a class list and/ or School directory.
14. If you provide the School with the personal information of others, such as doctors or emergency contacts, we encourage you to inform them that you are disclosing that information to the School and why, that they can access that information if they wish and that the School does not usually disclose this information to third parties.
OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS
The School has a staged process to collect outstanding accounts. While every attempt will be made to come to a suitable payment plan, on-going arrears will lead to formal recovery proceedings. The cost incurred by the School for formal debt recovery proceedings will be added to the account. The School further reserves the right to reverse fee rebates, concessions, scholarships and bursaries as well as withdraw the enrolment of students should the account remain unpaid.
* School Board reserves the right to alter fees as necessary.
