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Michelago Public School

Michelago Public School

School and Family Working Together

Telephone02 6235 9153

Emailmichelago-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Enrolment policy

Michelago Public School Enrolment Policy

Enrolment Policy 

March 2017

Rationale

The Enrolment policy provides information for the community and direction for the school personnel on the entitlements, requirements and procedures for the enrolment of students in government schools in New South Wales.

Government legislation requires students between the ages of six and fifteen to be enrolled at a government or registered non-government school, and to attend school on each day that instruction is provided or to be registered for home schooling. It is the duty of the parents or carer of the student to ensure these obligations are fulfilled.

Aim

The enrolment policy should:

  • Ensure principals are aware of their rights and responsibilities concerning the enrolment of students.
  • Provide effective and supportive communication between the school and community by clearly defining the responsibilities of parents and staff in relation to the enrolments of students.
  • Ensure procedures and guidelines documented in 'Enrolment of Students in Government Schools: A summary and Consolidation of Policy'-August 1997 (or latest policy) is followed.
  • Ensure procedures and legal obligations are followed (see Legal Bulletin 40 attached).

Outcomes

An effective enrolment policy will result in:

  • A well informed staff; aware of the Department's guidelines.
  • No person being discriminated against on the grounds of their sex, age, race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual preference or marital status.
  • Non-local enrolments to be referred on to School Education Director.
  • Departmental responsibilities and procedures being fulfilled.
  • Parents accepting their responsibilities toward their own children in relation to the school's Enrolment Policy.

Implementation

The Principal is responsible for developing and implementing an enrolment policy.

Department of Education and Training guidelines specify:

  • All students may complete an Application for Enrolment at school.
  • Parents may seek to enrol their child in the school of their choice.
  • Schools are required to set an enrolment number to cater for anticipated local demand and to seek to ensure every eligible local child has a place at his or her local school if he or she chooses to attend it.
  • The School Education Director  will approve the enrolment of students who live outside the local designated area.
  • A student is considered to be enrolled when the Application for Enrolment has been considered and signed by the Principal.
  • Students officially enrolled have their details recorded in a register held at school and electronically on the Department's Intranet.
  • A student should be enrolled in one school only at any given time unless special circumstances have been approved. (see 'Short Term and Part-time Attendance of Students')
  • All students and staff have the right to learn and work in a safe environment.
  • All students enrolling in Government schools will have their records transferred from the previous Government school.
  • A student's previous history, including any disciplinary history of suspension or expulsion will be made available prior to the Principal signing the Application for Enrolment forms.
  • It is not intended that principals generate concerns for all students making an application to enrol.
  • Should the Principal have grounds for concern when considering an application, the School Counsellor will be consulted.
  • The Principal will ensure adequate safeguards are in place before students with a violent history are enrolled.
  • The School Education Director will be consulted should the Principal, after due assessment, wish to decline a student's Application for Enrolment at school.
  • Regional Directors have the authority to direct the enrolment of a child at a particular school appropriate to the child's needs. This decision will be accompanied by a letter and appropriate Management Plan to the Principal.
  • Students who are non-Australian residents must produce a valid visa and meet the specific travel, entry and residency conditions set by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. Higher school fees may apply. (see Enrolment of Temporary Visa Holders July 2001).
  • New Zealand and Norfolk Island students are enrolled using the same arrangements as Australian citizens.

General procedures

  • Students 6-15 years of age must be enrolled and attached school each day of school.
  • All relevant documents must be provided to the school.
  • All required documentation must be completed by parents/caregiver.
  • Where a change of name is requested, the Principal must sight a copy of the local documents for verification.
  • Parents are required to notify the school when contact details have changed. This includes; 
    • Change of residence
    • Change of custody
    • Change of visitation rights
    • Change of phone number at home
    • Change of work phone number
    • Change of drop off and pick up arrangements
    • Change of mobile phone (both parents)
    • Change of emergency contact person
    • Change of emergency contact phone number
    • Change of emergency contact mobile phone number

Enrolment Data

All information collected by the school is considered private and may not be disclosed. No information about students parents or families is considered divulged unless written permission or written legal documentation has been provided. 

Information needs to be recorded about each student enrolled at the school to:

  • Comply with legal requirements
  • Comply with the Department of Education and Training Guidelines
  • Comply with Audit requirements
  • Assist with resourcing, accountability and reporting requirements
  • A signature by parents is certification that the information provided is correct.
  • The data provided is uploaded to the Department's (safe) Intranet site) for statistical and administrative management.

Procedures for Kindergarten students

Enrolment of eligible children in the Kindergarten year is to commence in the first week of the school year. Parents who choose to enrol eligible children after the beginning of the school year may do so up to the end of Term 2.

Kindergarten students may enrol when:

  • An original Birth Certificate has been sighted.
  • Documented evidence of the child's immunisation status is provided. (Parents have the right not to immunise their children, however, in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease, unimmunised students will be required to remain at home for the duration of the outbreak. Refer to the Public Health Act  1992).
  • Student turns five years of age on or before the 31 July in that year.
  • 'Early Enrollers' have undergone a comprehensive evaluation by the school counsellor. (Refer to 'Policy For The Education Of Gifted and Talented Students' 1991)
  • Non-Australian residents must produce a valid visa and meet the specific travel, entry and residency conditions set by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

Procedure for Enrolments in Particular Circumstances:

A summary and consolidation of Policy, 1997

Particular circumstances include:

  • Government Preschool Classes
  • Transition to school
  • Kindergarten Enrolment/Immunisation
  • Early Enrolment of GATS
  • Students with Disabilities
  • Non Australian Citizens
  • Intensive English Classes
  • Distance Education
  • Transfer Applications
  • Short term/part-time attendance
  • Home schooling

Transfer of Students anywhere in Australian Government Schools

  • Students transferring from New South Wales must complete a Transfer Certificate which will be forwarded to the new school.
  • Students transferring from interstate must complete an Interstate Student Data Transfer Note (SDTN) which will be forwarded to the new school.
  • Students from non-Government schools will need to complete and provide the same information as a Kindergarten enrollee and the SDTN.

Evaluation

The enrolment return submitted by the school in February each year forms the basis for the calculation of the school's staffing enrolment information is accurate, complete and supported by documentation.

References and Attachments

  • Enrolment of Students in Government Schools - A Summary and Consolidation of Policy 1997
  • Public Health (Amendment) Act 1992
  • Policy For The Education of Gifted and Taleneted Students 1991
  • Memo DN/06/00227 - 2 August 2006
  • Flow Chart for Enrolments
  • Application For Enrolment (NEW 2006)
  • Legal Bulletin 40
  • Parent Consent to consult the family Doctor for Managing ongoing/chronic health issues
  • Example of laminated warning re: Anaphylactic students
  • School check list of Procedures
  • Procedures for enrolment in Secondary School
  • Interstate/Private Schools Student Transfer Note
  • Parent consent for Interstate/Private Schools Transfer
  • Changing Schools Checklist
  • Prohibited Decalartion-for parents/caregivers
  • The Bare Necessities-New Kindergarten students
  • Enrolment of Temporary Visa Holders
  • Michelago Primary School enrolment checklists
  • Starting School
  • Conveyance Application
  • DET Portal (Webservices) Permission
  • Scripture Permission
  • Publicity Consent
  • Uniform Order
  • Copy of Good Discipline Policy
  • Helping Your Child With Homework

The core rules

All students in NSW government schools are expected to:

  • Attend every school day, unless they are legally excused, and be in class on time and prepared to learn.
  • Maintain a neat appearance, including adhering to the requriements of the school's uniform or dress code policy.
  • Behave safely, considerately and responsibly, including when travelling to and from school.
  • Show respect at all times for teachers, other school staff and helpers, including following class rules, speaking courteously and cooperating with instructions and learning activities.
  • Treat  one another with dignity and respect.
  • Care for property belonging to themselves, the school and others.

Behaviour that infringes on the safety of others, such as harassment, bullying and illegal or anti-social behaviour of any kind, will not be tolerated.

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