INTRODUCTION
Parents may seek to enrol their child in the school of their choice. The decision to enrol a student, and with what level of support, will depend on a number of factors including:
• the student’s educational needs
• the expressed desires of the parents or caregivers
• the capacity of the school to provide the level of support services required
• the availability of support services at alternative locations.
This policy outlines the general principles and procedures to be followed when enrolling local and non-local students at Irrawang High School.
The school has developed its enrolment policy in accordance with:
• the principles and requirements established in Enrolment of Students in Government Schools: A Summary and Consolidation of Policy, August 1997
• The Education Reform Act 1990.
ENROLMENT CEILING
Each year the school establishes an enrolment ceiling which is based on available permanent accommodation. The enrolment ceiling for Irrawang High School in 2019 is 1044 students. (Year 7 – 230; Year 8 – 230; Year 9 – 150; Year 10 – 170; Year 11 – 144; Year 12 – 120.)
BUFFER
In 2019 Irrawang High School has created a buffer of 80 students to accommodate local students arriving throughout the year. (Year 7 – 20; Year 8 – 20; Year 9 – 10; Year 10 – 10; Year 11 – 10; Year 12 – 10) This buffer has been calculated using historical data, enrolment fluctuations, program requirements and the number of families moving in and out of the local area. Places in the buffer will not be offered to non-local students.
If spare accommodation exists, except for enrolments at the commencement of the school year, non-local placements will not be considered if they generate demand for extra staff or create disruption to school routine.
PLACEMENT PANEL
If demand for non-local placements exceeds availability a placement panel will be established to make recommendations on all non-local enrolment applications. This will consist of:
• the principal or nominee, as chairperson, who will have a casting vote
• at least one staff member
• a school community member nominated by school’s parent organisation.
The placement panel should:
• make recommendations within the context of the enrolment ceiling and the buffer retained for local students arriving later in the year
• apply the criteria for non-local enrolment to individual cases based only on the information presented on the application form (and not including any oral or other submissions)
• record all decisions and minutes of meetings so that they are available to the Director, Educational Leadership upon request
• provide parents with a written explanation of its decision.
LOCAL ENROLMENTS
Parents or caregivers living in the local area who are seeking to enrol their children at Irrawang High School should contact the school for an appointment. Students will not necessarily be enrolled immediately as the school requires time to gather information that will assist in determining the best placement for the student.
CRITERIA FOR LOCAL ENROLMENT
A student who moves into the intake area of Irrawang High School will be accepted provided he/she can prove permanent residency, any special needs can be met and a place is available. Three proofs of residence may be required. This will include documentation such as original copies of council rates notice, residential lease, electricity accounts, statutory declaration, Medicare letter, Centre link details, drivers license, telephone bills, (not mobile) etc.
NON-LOCAL ENROLMENTS
All parents may seek to enrol their children at Irrawang High School. A parent or caregiver seeking non-local enrolment should firstly phone the school and speak with the appropriate deputy principal to establish whether any non-local placements are available. If non-local places are available, then enrolment will proceed as for local enrolments (above). If demand for non-local enrolment exceeds availability a placement panel will be established to determine eligibility. In this case parents will need to complete a non-local enrolment application form and arrange an interview with the appropriate deputy principal, if they wish to pursue non-local enrolment. There is no guarantee that an application for non-local enrolment will be successful.
CRITERIA FOR NON-LOCAL ENROLMENT
Schools have flexibility in determining these criteria to meet their own particular needs whilst adhering to the state wide policy. Irrawang High School has determined that these criteria, in priority order, are:
1. availability of appropriate staff and permanent classroom accommodation
2. sibling already enrolled at the school
3. proximity and access to the school
4. compassionate circumstances
5. safety and supervision of the students before and after school
6. subject selection.
WAITING LISTS
A waiting list will be established for unsuccessful non-local enrolment applications. Parents will be advised in writing if their child is on a waiting list and their position on the list. The waiting list is current for 1 year. The school will notify parents/carers in writing if they are unsuccessful in gaining a non local enrolment.
APPEALS
If a parent wishes to appeal the decision of the placement panel it should be made in writing to the principal who will seek to resolve the matter. If the matter is not resolved at school level it will be referred to the Director, Educational Leadership who will consider the appeal and make a determination.
ENROLMENT OF NON-AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS
Non-Australian students must hold a visa and may be enrolled under the conditions set out in the booklet: Conditions for Enrolment of Non-Australian Citizens in NSW Government Schools.
• Temporary students may be enrolled for periods specified on their visa.
• International students studying in NSW may enrol their school aged dependents.
• Students on a Visitor’s Visa may enrol for a maximum of three months, but must arrange their enrolment through the International Students Program (Phone 0295618209).
REFUSAL OF ENROLMENT
The principal may refuse enrolment of a student who is under suspension from another school or on the grounds of previously documented violent behaviour if there is evidence that the student has not learned the appropriate skills to manage this behaviour.