International Students Application Procedure & Conditions of Enrolment
15 Harbour Street Wollongong NSW 2500 TEL 61 2 4228 6011 FAX 61 2 4229 8555 www.stmarys.nsw.edu.au EMAIL stmarys@stmarys.nsw.edu.au ABN 70 309 539 954 Temporary CRICOS PROVIDER NO 01369C CEC
Enrolment Policy
St Mary Star of the Sea College is a Catholic Secondary college for girls in the Good Samaritan tradition. As a Catholic college we are committed to establishing a community which is energised by the life and teachings of Christ. St Mary’s aims to be a place where Gospel values are lived and where the Benedictine ideals of Love of God, Love of Learning, Hospitality, Stewardship and Peace are visible. The college enrolment policy is based on the Good Samaritan philosophy of education.
Principles
St Mary Star of the Sea College welcomes enrolments of young women from families seeking a Catholic secondary education for them in Years 7-12. Priority is given to Catholic students but, depending upon the resource capacity of the College, we welcome other students who are seeking to be educated according to the ethos and the traditions of the College. Enrolment implies that parents/caregivers give a firm undertaking that they will accept and support the Catholic foundations, values and practices of the College and the importance of regular opportunities to affirm these values and practices in religious education classes, Liturgies and College Masses. Retreats and Reflection Days are compulsory as they play a vital part in the spiritual development of the students.
Conditions of Enrolment
Enrolment at St Mary Star of the Sea College is based on the following priorities: • Enrolment of siblings of children already attending the College is a priority, upon completion of the enrolment application form and an interview • Priority is given to students who are Catholic • Children of other Christian families may be enrolled after the other priorities for access have been considered • Children of non-Christian families may also be enrolled in keeping with the above principles • Consideration will be made for students who transfer from interstate or from overseas The Board delegates to the Principal the right to exercise discernment in the acceptance of individual students in the enrolment process.
Term Dates
Students may enrol at any of the four Term commencement dates in January, April, July or October and at the appropriate year level from Years 7 to Year 12. Academic Year - 2012 Term 1 30 January (Year 7, 11, 12) – 4 April 31 January (Years 8, 9, 10,) – 4 April Term 2 23 April - 22 June Term 3 16 July – 21 September Term 4 8 October - 7 December New students must start school on the first day of term. If students are unable to start at the beginning of term due to visa or flight arrangements, the College must be notified and alternate arrangements may be made.
15 Harbour Street Wollongong NSW 2500 TEL 61 2 4228 6011 FAX 61 2 4229 8555 www.stmarys.nsw.edu.au EMAIL stmarys@stmarys.nsw.edu.au ABN 70 309 539 954 Temporary CRICOS PROVIDER NO 01369C CEC
Entry Requirements:
The College reviews all available evidence of student achievement and diligence. Where possible, applicants will also be interviewed by the Director of Admissions or Principal to assess the likelihood of the student experiencing sucess in the Australian Education system. Entry level for all applicants will be assessed and determined by the College. Students must reside with a parent or a relative approved by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
English Language Requirement:
Students are expected to have a high level of proficiency in English and to have a basic familiarity with the language for at least the last two years. International Students should complete English and ability testing through Australian Education Assessment Services (AEAS), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or other testing agencies approved by the School. To enter Years 7 – 10 students must have a minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 5.0, or equivalent. To enter Year 11 students must have a minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5, or equivalent.
Application Procedure
Step 1: Complete the Application Form An International Application for Enrolment form should be completed and forwarded to the School together with: • Non-refundable application fee of $A100.00 • Copy of applicant’s two (2) most recent school reports (translated and certified if not in Engish) • Copies of any public examination results • Certified copy of applicant’s birth certificate • Certified copy of applicant’s passport • Copy of English testing results • Letter of recommendation from the Principal of the applicant’s present school, if readily obtainable • Copies of recent references Receipt of the International Application for Enrolment by the School does not mean that a place will be available for the applicant. In all instances the final decision concerning the enrolment of an international student rests with the Principal. Step 2: Submit the Application Forward this to the College as far in advance as possible Step 3 : Offer of Place Pending assessment of the application and the availability of places in the College, students will be made an offer of a place. In the ‘Letter of Offer’ students will be asked to: • make a payment to cover fees for 12 months • ensure that Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)has been paid for the duration of secondary studies. The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) requires all holders of student visas to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC). Documents must be provided to prove that this has been paid. Step 4: Accept the Offer To accept the offer of a place at St Mary Star of the Sea College, the following must be forwarded to the School: • Payment of fees as requested on the ‘Letter of Offer’ within 14 days • Complete the ‘Formalisation of Enrolment’ document which confirms the terms and conditions of enrolment into St Mary’s. 15 Harbour Street Wollongong NSW 2500 TEL 61 2 4228 6011 FAX 61 2 4229 8555 www.stmarys.nsw.edu.au EMAIL stmarys@stmarys.nsw.edu.au ABN 70 309 539 954 Temporary CRICOS PROVIDER NO 01369C CEC
Step 5: Apply for a visa An electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be issued on receipt of the above. The School’s official Letter of Offer, together with the Confirmation of Enrolment should be used to support an application for a student visa. You must take this confirmation of Enrolment to the Australian Embassy or High Commission to apply for a student visa.
ESOS Framework:
The Australian Government wants overseas students in Australia to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding place to study. Australia’s laws promote quality education and consumer protection for overseas students. These laws are known as the ESOS framework and they include the Education Services for Overseas (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code 2007. It is important that students are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the ESOS framework before accepting an education provider’s offer of a place and forwarding their fees. The ESOS framework document is found at: http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/ESOS/QuickInfo/ESOS_FrameWork_pdf.pdf
Protection for Overseas Students
As an overseas student on a student visa, you must study with an education provider and in a course that can be found on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) at http://cricos.deewr.gov.au. CRICOS registration guarantees that the course and the education provider at which you study meet the high standards necessary for overseas students. Please check carefully that the details of your course-including location-match the information on CRICOS.
Your Responsibilities
As an overseas student on a student visa, you have responsibilities to: • Satisfy your student visa conditions • Maintain your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the period of your stay • Meet the terms of your written agreement with your provider • Inform your provider if you change your address • Maintain satisfactory course progress • If attendance is recorded for your course, follow your provider’s attendance policy • If you are under 18, maintain your approved accommodation, suport and general welfare arrangements INFORMATION ABOUT WHO TO CONTACT HOW TO MAKE CONTACT Policies and procedures that St Mary Star of the Sea College - Mrs Pulford can be contacted by: affect you Marie Pulford Tel: 02 42286011 Email: marie.pulford@stmarys. nsw.edu.au Your ESOS rights and responsibilities
Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research & Tertiary Education (DIISRTE)
www.aie.dest.gov.au/esos ESOS Helpline: TEL +61 2 62405069 Email: esosmailbox@dest.gov.au
VISA matters
Department of Immigration and Cicizenship (DIAC)
www.immi.gov.au Tel: 131 881 in Australia. Contact Diac office in your own country
15 Harbour Street Wollongong NSW 2500 TEL 61 2 4228 6011 FAX 61 2 4229 8555 www.stmarys.nsw.edu.au EMAIL stmarys@stmarys.nsw.edu.au ABN 70 309 539 954 Temporary CRICOS PROVIDER NO 01369C CEC
CURRICULUM
At St Mary Star of the Sea College, our curriculum is extensive and aims to create autonomous, life-long learners. Stage 4 (Years 7 & 8) Religion, Catholic Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Human Society and its Environment (Global Geography, World History) PDHPE, Language (Italian or French), Music, Technology, Visual Arts and Sport
Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10) Core Subjects Religion, Catholic Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History and PDHPE General Electives – Students select two, which will be studied in Years 9 & 10 Commerce, Dance, Design and Technology, Drama, Food Technology, French, Graphics Technology, Information and Software Technology, Italian, Music, Physical Activity and Sport Studies, Textiles Technology, Visual Arts, Work Education Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12) English (Standard, Advanced, Extension 1, Extension 2) Studies of Religion (1 or 2) and electives chosen from: Board Developed Courses Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Community and Family Studies, Dance, Design and Technology, Drama, Economics, Food Technology, French Beginners, French Continuers, Geography, History (Ancient, Modern, HSC Extension), Industrial Technology (Multimedia Industries), Information Processes and Technology, Italian (Beginners, Continuers, HSC Extension), Legal Studies, General Mathematics, Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2, Music (1, 2 and HSC Extension), PDHPE, Physics, Senior Science, Society and Culture, Software Design and Development, Textiles and Design, Visual Design and Visual Arts Vocational Education and Training Courses Business Services (Administration), Entertainment and Hospitality (Operations) Content Endorsed Courses Exploring Early Childhood, Marine Studies, Photography, Video and Digital Imaging, Religion, Catholic Studies, Sport Lifestyle and Recreation and Visual Design
Laptop Learning
St Mary Star of the Sea College will provide each student enrolled with a laptop computer to enable them to enhance their learning opportunities through access to and use of current communications technologies and contemporary learning aids and methods. The cost of the laptop is included in the total International Students fee structure.
Course Credit
St Mary Star of the Sea College does not offer course credit and entry into any course is subject to the assessment of the College. This also applies to on-shore school transfers, either within the state or territory or from interstate. 15 Harbour Street Wollongong NSW 2500 TEL 61 2 4228 6011 FAX 61 2 4229 8555 www.stmarys.nsw.edu.au EMAIL stmarys@stmarys.nsw.edu.au ABN 70 309 539 954 Temporary CRICOS PROVIDER NO 01369C CEC