Procedures: Enrolment

Enrolment Procedures

Rationale

Avondale School is an Independent School owned and operated by Seventh-day Adventist Schools (NNSW) Ltd. Enrolment at Avondale School is inclusive and non discriminatory, however, all students are expected to demonstrate respect for the Word of God, adhere to the School’s Code of Conduct, and engage in the regular Seventh-day Adventist School’s Christian Encounter classes, chapels and other faith-based activities of the School. 

New Applicants

1. Applications for enrolment can be submitted at any time via the school website by the parent/guardian(s) of students wishing to commence at Avondale School.
2. Students enrolling at school for the first time will be five years of age on or before 30 April.
3. The School will base any decision about offering a place to a student on the following criteria: 
   1. Family relationship with the school:
      1. The child attends the Avondale Early Learning Centre;
      2. The child is a sibling of a current or ex-student;
      3. Either of the parents is an alumni of the school attended the school
      4. The family’s values, attitudes, and priorities align with the ethos of the School 
   2. The student: 
      1. The potential contribution the student may make to the school, including participation in co-curricular activities
      2. The student’s reports from previous schools or early childhood service 
   3. The school:
      1. Ability to meet any special needs or physical abilities of the student
      2. Suitable available spaces within the School
         
         Order of receipt: applications to enrol are considered in the order they are received by the School
4. The School will meet with parent/carer(s) and the student before offering a place.
5. Students may be assessed for school readiness (kindergarten) or for appropriate placement in a particular year level.
6. The School retains the discretion to determine the relative importance of each of these factors when making decisions regarding offers of enrolment Continued enrolment at the School is dependent upon the student making satisfactory academic progress, attending consistently, and the student and the parent/carer(s) observing all behavioural codes of conduct and other requirements of the School which are applicable from time to time. 
7. Avondale School does not take overseas students.

Withdrawal from Enrolment

1. Parents are required to provide written notice of one term when withdrawing students from the school. Failure to give notice may result in the requirement to pay fees in lieu of notice
2. An online De-registration Form, located on the school website must be completed to provide official notice of withdrawal.
3. Parents are required to ensure that students return all school owned equipment, including but not limited to technology devices, text books and library books. 
4. The school requires parents to provide information regarding the educational destination of the student. 
5. Where destination information is not provided, the appropriate form is completed and submitted to the DET.
6. Where the parents of a student of compulsory school age seek an exemption from enrolment, the Principal, in consultation with the Heads of School, will process the parent’s application in accordance with the guidelines from NSW Department of Education. Application forms are located on the school website.
7. The principal may exercise the Minister’s delegation under Section 25 of the Education Act in relation to granting and cancelling a certificate of exemption from being enrolled and attending school in certain prescribed circumstances.

EVALUATION: This policy was last updated in May 2024 and will be reviewed as part of a three-year school policy review cycle in 2027.