Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Catholic Education Office

Enrolment Policy for Catholic Systemic Schools

Related Policies

Family Law
Overseas Students
Immunisation
School Fees and Levies
Kindergarten Induction
Students with Special Needs (Disabilities)

Preamble:

Policy:

1.0 Principles

The Catholic Education Commission aims to provide the choice of Catholic schooling to all those seeking a Catholic education for their children. However, enrolment of a student into a Archdiocesan Catholic school or Catholic school of choice cannot be guaranteed.

The Archdiocesan Catholic school system has a particular responsibility to welcome, accept and support those who are poor, marginalised and in most need. Our conviction is that no student will be refused enrolment or be disadvantaged because of an inability on the part of parents/guardians to meet financial requirements.

1.1 Catholic System Schools established and maintained by the Archdiocese strive to be authentically Catholic and faithful to the Church, its traditions and teachings.

1.2 The Catholic school is a community whose mission is to provide its members with an holistic education which takes place in an environment formed by the authentic teachings and values of the Catholic Church.

1.3 The Catholic school community strives for strong partnerships with the parishes it serves. These partnerships must be demonstrated and strengthened by the enrolment procedure and practice.

1.4 Those who choose a Catholic school for their children do so on the understanding that they respect and agree to support the Catholic identity of the school and acknowledge the importance of religious education for their children.

1.5 Catholic System schools are open to all who are willing to commit to support the philosophy, values and aims of Catholic schooling.

2.1 The Catholic Education Commission of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn is responsible to the Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn for developing, monitoring and evaluating enrolment policies for Catholic System Schools.

2.2 The Principal, in collaboration with the Pastor, staff and School Board has responsibility for ensuring that the authentic vision of Catholic education in the community remains the guiding principle in the application of the enrolment policy.

2.3 The Principal is responsible for enrolments. The Principal may form an enrolment committee to provide advice. Ordinarily, the Committee will comprise the Parish Priest/Chaplain (or his representative) and a representative of the School Board as members. The Principal will chair the Committee.

3.0 Enrolment Policies

3.1 General

3.1.1 At initial enrolment, all parents must give a firm undertaking that they will accept and support during the period of their child's enrolment the life, nature and identity of the Catholic school, including the appropriate participation of their children in the approved religious education programs.

3.1.2 No child is to be denied Catholic schooling simply because of an inability (as opposed to an unwillingness) of a parent/guardian, to meet financial requirements.

3.1.3 The attention of parents/guardians is drawn to the fact that acceptance of their children into a Catholic System primary school does not confer an automatic entitlement to enrolment in a Catholic System secondary school. The enrolment of a student in a Catholic System secondary school is a new process and requires the completion and submission of a secondary school enrolment application.

3.1.4  Enrolment applications received after the due date will only be considered if vacancies still exist, irrespective of where they might otherwise be placed in the priority order.

3.1.5 Special enrolment conditions apply from time to time as part of the planning process to ensure the choice of Catholic schooling is provided to as many people as possible. Current enrolment conditions are detailed at Schedule B.

3.1.6 The Director of Catholic Education may authorise the refusal of an enrolment into a particular Catholic school if such enrolment would adversely impact on the Archdiocesan provision of Catholic education

3.2  Enrolment Categories

3.2.1 Kindergarten Enrolments

It is generally desirable for schools to adopt a cut-off enrolment date whereby children commencing in Kindergarten should be five (5) years of age by 30 April of the year of enrolment.

3.2.2  Early Age Enrolments

3.2.2.1The Principal has the discretion to process an early age enrolment (Primary or accelerated Secondary school entry) if special circumstances exist.

3.2.2.2Parents must be informed that the school will assess the child's readiness and learning after consultation with the Special Needs Education Services Coordinator.

3.2.2.3 For individual cases (primary and secondary school entry) where it is believed that the readiness of a child would warrant his or her enrolment at an early age, the Principal must consult with the Coordinator of Special Needs Education Services for an individual assessment of the child's readiness and learning needs.

3.2.2.4 Before agreeing to the early enrolment of the child the Principal must seek written approval from the Director.

3.2.2.5 The Principal must inform the child's parents of this consultation process at the time of the enrolment application.

3.2.2.6  Early enrolments in the ACT do not attract any ACT Government funding unless the enrolment meets the specific criteria determined by the ACT Government.

3.2.3 Students with Disabilities

3.2.3.1 Principals must refer to the Disability Discrimination Act which can be located in the Policy and Procedures Manual or on the CEO website http://ceo.cg.catholic.edu.au/policies/disability.htm

3.2.3.2 When processing enrolment applications from parents/guardians of students with disabilities who seek to be included in regular classes within the school, Principals must follow the enrolment processes detailed in Schedule A attached to this policy.

3.2.3.3 The Coordinator of Special Needs Education Services must be contacted for advice during consideration of an enrolment application for a student with disabilities.

3.2.4  Secondary Enrolments

Special arrangements may be introduced from time to time to assist in the maximum provision of enrolments in ACT Archdiocesan System Catholic Colleges (in collaboration with the Congregational Colleges). See Schedule B attached to this Policy.

3.2.5 Conditional Enrolment

The Principal may, in discussion with the student, parents, pastor, staff and CEO personnel, enrol a student on a conditional basis in light of the student's particular situation and/or needs at the time of or during the student's enrolment.

4.0  ENROLMENT PRIORITIES

In implementing the Enrolment Procedures contained in Section 3 and the restrictions outlined in Schedule B , the following hierarchy of priority has been established for the consideration of enrolment applications at each school when enrolment applications exceed available spaces.

4.1 Primary

4.1.1 Baptised Catholic children who are members of the designated local parish communities.

4.1.2 Siblings of children already attending the primary school.

4.1.3 Baptised Catholic children from other parishes who cannot obtain places in their local parish primary school.

4.1.4 Baptised Catholic children from non-Catholic primary schools whose residential address is in the designated priority local parish communities.

4.1.5 Baptised Catholic children whose parents/guardians seek to enroll them in a parish primary school outside their own parish but who can obtain places in their own parish primary school.

4.1.6 Other children whose parents/guardians desire and are committed to a Catholic Education.

4.2 Secondary

Baptised Catholic children who attend a Catholic school (where available) have first priority in an Catholic System secondary school where their residential address is in the designated priority enrolment area for that school.

4.2.1 Baptised Catholic children who:

• attend a Catholic school; or
• are members of the local parish community in rural areas where a Catholic school is not available,

and, where applicable, whose residential address is in the designated priority enrolment area. See Schedule B .

4.2.2 Siblings of children already attending the school.

4.2.3  Baptised Catholic children from non-Catholic schools whose residential address is in the designated priority enrolment area.

The family of these children MUST provide an up to date reference from their Parish Priest indicating that they are practicing Catholics in the Parish.

4.2.4 Other children who have been enrolled in a Catholic school for a period of at least 3 years and whose residential address is in the designated priority enrolment area. See Schedule B .

4.2.5 Baptised Catholic children who attend a Catholic school and whose residential address is outside the designated priority enrolment area. Note: These children have first priority in Catholic System secondary schools where their residential address is in the designated priority enrolment area for that school.

4.2.6 Baptised Catholic children from non-Catholic schools whose residential address is outside the designated priority enrolment area. The family of these children MUST provide an up to date reference from their Parish Priest indicating that they are practicing Catholics in the Parish.

4.2.7 Baptised Catholic children from non-Catholic schools whose residential address is within the designated priority enrolment area who cannot provide a reference from a Parish Priest.

4.2.8 Baptised Catholic children from non-Catholic schools who are outside the designated priority who cannot provide a reference from a Parish Priest.

4.2.9 Other children who have been enrolled in a Catholic school for a period of at least 3 years and whose residential address is outside the designated priority enrolment area.

4.2.10 Other children whose parents/guardians desire and are committed to Catholic education.

5.0 PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 All parents enrolling their children in a Catholic Archdiocesan school must complete the official enrolment form and return it by the due date. Such action, however, does not guarantee enrolment in the school. Parents are expected to support their local parish primary school wherever possible.

5.2 Applications, irrespective of their priority listing, received after the due date will only be considered if vacancies still exist.

5.3 Parents must be prepared to abide by the provisions specified in the enrolment form especially as regards the support they will give the school in the Catholic education of their children.

5.4 The child's parents/guardians must recognise and be prepared to meet their financial responsibilities for the ongoing enrolment of the child subject to section 3.1.2. of this policy document.

5.5 The child's parent/guardian must advise the Principal of any Court Order(s) that may exist in regard to the child and MUST provide a certified copy of the Order(s) for the child's school file.

6.0 ENROLMENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

6.1 The School will provide on request data to the Catholic Education Commission on the mix of Catholic, Christian and non-Christian enrolments.

6.2 The Commission will monitor enrolment information submitted by the school and action taken by the school to ensure the Catholicity of the school and the basic aims of Catholic education are maintained. See Schedule C attached to this Policy.

References:

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Forms:

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Last updated on March 11, 2008