Students are entitled to be enrolled at the government school that is designated for the intake area within which the student's home is situated and that the child is eligible to attend.
This policy has been developed in accordance with the NSW Department of Education ‘Enrolment of Students in Government Schools Summary and Consolidation of Policy 1997'
The school has set an enrolment number ceiling to cater for local demand and to seek to ensure that every eligible local student has a place for enrolment if he or she chooses to attend this school.
The boundary for enrolment of students into this school is all of the streets located within the Coffs Harbour City Council Lowanna town area. A copy of maps and street boundaries is available from the school office.
Documentation is required when making application to enrol at this school this may include council rate notices, accounts for electricity, gas or water, telephone bills, lease documents or electoral enrolment confirmation.
Non-local enrolments will be accepted based on assessment against the criteria specified below and the availability of permanent classroom accommodation. A separate application form is required if parents seek non- local enrolment.
Enrolment ceiling
The enrolment ceiling for this school is: 62 students
Enrolment buffer
The enrolment buffer for this school is: 3 students.
No additional accommodation will be provided to cater for increased enrolments resulting from non-local placements.
A buffer has been determined for this school to accommodate local students arriving throughout the year. Places in the buffer cannot be offered to non-local students.
Non-local enrolment
Where non-local placements exceed availability of positions the school has established a placement panel to consider and make recommendations on all non-local enrolment applications. The panel will convene as required.
A written application on the out of intake area application form must be completed addressing the following criteria.
Non-local enrolment criteria (Not in any order of priority)
- Medical reasons e.g., Access to specialist local medical services
- Disability e.g. Wheelchair access
- Siblings Other siblings already enrolled at the school
- Compassionate (exceptional circumstances)
- Proximity and access to the school
- Safety and supervision of the student before and after school
When parents are addressing the criteria it should be clear and concise and specifically prove the case for enrolment of the student, to the placement panel.
The panel will evaluate the application and make a recommendation to accept or reject the application based against the criteria.
Appropriate documentation relating to the criteria should be included as the placement panel will base their decision on this information. Applications are often rejected based on insufficient documentation and an inappropriate case.
- Oral or other submissions will not be accepted.
- Applications containing false or misleading information will be rejected.
Waiting lists
Waiting lists may be established for non-local students. Waiting lists are current for one year.
Appeals
Where a parent wishes to appeal against the decision of the placement panel, the appeal should be made in writing to the principal. The principal will seek to resolve the matter. If the matter cannot be resolve it will be referred to the Director, Public Schools for a determination.
The purpose of the appeal is to determine whether the stated criteria have been applied fairly.
Kindergarten enrolments
Children may enrol in Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn five years of age on or before July 31st. Documentation including birth certificate or passport and immunisation certificate is required on enrolment. Parents who do not have their child immunised will be required to keep their child at home during an outbreak of a vaccine prevented disease.
Early entry to school for students who are intellectually gifted and talented will be offered. The school counsellor will conduct a comprehensive assessment process with input from the child's parents.
Whilst it is the intention that the child be enrolled at the beginning of the year, parents who choose to enrol eligible children after the beginning of the school year may do so up to the end of term two.
The Principal will enrol in kindergarten, students on transfer and children reaching statutory age of six years old.
Refusal of enrolment
The Principal may refuse enrolment of a student on the grounds of previously documented violent behaviour if there is evidence that the child has not learnt the appropriate skills to manage his/her behaviour.
Negotiated part time attendance plan
The Principal may need to implement a negotiated part time attendance plan to support a child's transition into the school. It may allow time for support structures to be implemented for ease of transition. Supports may include physical, medical, social and emotional. A negotiated attendance plan must be agreed to by the Director, Public Schools before the plan is put in place.