A guide for parents 2013 by School Curriculum and Standards Authority

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SERVICES NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS

A GUIDE FOR PARENTS NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

2013

Copies of this document can be made available in alternative formats on request.

Department of Education Services 22 Hasler Road OSBORNE PARK WA 6017 PO Box 1766 OSBORNE PARK WA 6916 Telephone: (08) 9441 1900 Facsimile: (08) 9441 1901 Email: ngs@des.wa.gov.au Website: www.des.wa.gov.au

CONTENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE ................................................................................................................... p. 3 BOARDING ............................................................................................................................................ p. 8 CO-EDUCATIONAL OR SINGLE-SEX ......................................................................................................... p. 5 COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTES ............................................................................................................... p. 13 CURRICULUM AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM ....................................................................................... p. 6 EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY .................................................................................................................. p. 6 ENROLMENT ....................................................................................................................................... p. 11 FEES ...................................................................................................................................................... p. 9 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ......................................................................................................................... p. 9 GOVERNMENT FUNDING ....................................................................................................................... p. 2 HOME EDUCATION .............................................................................................................................. p. 14 LEVEL OF EDUCATION............................................................................................................................ p. 4 MORE INFORMATION ......................................................................................................................... p. 11 NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS .............................................................................................................. p. 2 OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ADVICE ................................................................................ p. 15 OVERSEAS STUDENTS ............................................................................................................................ p. 8 PARENT PARTICIPATION...................................................................................................................... p. 12 PARENTS AND FRIENDS’ FEDERATION OF WA (INC) ............................................................................. p. 13 QUALITY ASSURANCE ............................................................................................................................ p. 2 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION ........................................................................................................................ p. 5 SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ............................................................................. p. 9 SCHOOL GOVERNANCE AND PARENT PARTICIPATION ......................................................................... p. 12 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS .............................................................................................................................. p. 12 SCHOOL LOCATION ............................................................................................................................... p. 4 SCHOOL SIZE ......................................................................................................................................... p. 5 SCHOOLS CATERING ONLY FOR PRE-COMPULSORY EDUCATION .......................................................... p. 14 SELECTING A SCHOOL ............................................................................................................................ p. 3 SPECIAL EDUCATION ............................................................................................................................. p. 7 STATE GOVERNMENT ALLOWANCES ................................................................................................... p. 10 TEMPORARY RESIDENTS........................................................................................................................ p. 9 TERM DATES AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ................................................................................................. p. 12 WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLING ...................................................................................................... p. 1

The following lists of Non-Government Schools are available on the Department of Education Services website (www.des.wa.gov.au): Active Non-Government Schools by School Name Active Non-Government Schools by Education Region Active Non-Government Schools by Religious Affiliation Active Boarding Non-Government Schools by School Name The information provided on each school includes the name of the school, its address, telephone and facsimile numbers, email and internet addresses (where available), the name of the school principal, the school’s religious affiliation (if any), the education district in which the school is located, the level of education provided, whether the school is co-educational or single-sex and whether it provides boarding facilities for students.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLNG In Western Australia, the education system is divided into two stages: • •

Pre-compulsory (Pre-Kindergarten - Kindergarten) Compulsory (Pre-Primary - Year 12)

The Western Australian Government places a strong emphasis on ensuring all Western Australian children have the best possible start to their education. Pre-compulsory early childhood education programs are provided at all government and many nongovernment primary schools for three to five year old children. Pre-Kindergarten education, where offered, commences at the beginning of the year for children who have attained the age of three and will not turn four on or before 30 June in the year of pre-kindergarten enrolment. As these students do not qualify for State Government funding, higher than normal fees may be charged. Kindergarten education commences at the beginning of the year for children who reach the age of four on or before 30 June. Compulsory pre-primary education commences at the beginning of the year for children who reach the age of five on or before 30 June. There is a legal imperative for children to be enrolled in school when they reach the age for compulsory schooling. Where parents or guardians are of the opinion that their child is not able or ready to attend PrePrimary, the child must still be enrolled. Once this legal obligation is fulfilled, the Principal of the School can make a decision regarding the best interests of the child and will determine what extra support may be needed or whether the child should remain in Kindergarten for another year. Parents can assist schools by providing medical and other information where applicable. Similarly, parents or guardians who want their child to be accelerated should still enrol their child in Kindergarten and Pre-primary when the child is the correct age for that year. It is for the Principal to decide what is in the best interests of the child considering a wide range of factors including the disadvantages of being a year younger than their classmates for the whole of their school life. Parents should note that there are funding implications for Schools if children are enrolled for kindergarten and pre-primary before they meet the age requirements for those years.

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NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS The non-government school sector includes independent schools and systemic schools. Independent schools are private organisations, the majority of which are incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1987 and are self-administered. Systemic schools are groups of schools administered centrally by a church or religious body, such as the Anglican Church, Catholic Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church, or Swan Christian Education Association. The Catholic school system is the largest group of systemic schools. In August 2012, 34.4 per cent or 140,820 of the State’s kindergarten, pre-primary, primary and secondary students were enrolled in 313 non-government schools.

QUALITY ASSURANCE All of the non-government schools in the lists available on the Department of Education Services website are registered under the School Education Act 1999. Each registered school is inspected on behalf of the Minister for Education to ensure the requirements for registration are satisfied. A school is registered when it satisfies minimum standards in the following areas: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Governance and Accountability Student Learning Curriculum Level of Care Financial Management Staff and Management Physical Environment Enrolment and Attendance Number of Students Time for Instruction Complaints Management Legal Compliance

By registering a school the State Government assures that a school has the capacity to achieve acceptable educational outcomes for students.

GOVERNMENT FUNDING All registered non-government schools qualify for funding from the State and Australian Governments. Funding is available only to schools that operate as not for profit institutions. The amount of government funding received generally determines the level of fees charged by a school. Annual (recurrent) funding is based on a percentage of the cost of educating a student in a government school. The amount of government funding each school receives is calculated on the number of students enrolled. The State and Australian Governments have separate per capita funding rates for primary (including preprimary) and secondary students. The State also provides per capita funding for kindergarten students enrolled in registered kindergartens at non-government schools (excluding kindergarten students younger than the official entry age). State per capita funding rates also vary according to a school’s funding category and all schools are classified into one of nine State funding categories. Schools included in a system of schools (eg most Catholic schools) are funded by the State Government at the same rate. A Guide For Parents 2013 (2013/03770)

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Australian Government per capita funding rates for non-government schools are based on variable percentages of the national cost of educating a student in a government school. The percentages are determined from each school’s socio-economic status index, which is calculated from information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census. Many non-government schools also receive Australian Government capital grants and the State Government provides low interest loans to assist in constructing or upgrading school buildings.

SELECTING A SCHOOL To satisfy inquiries about the choice of a non-government school, the following checklist of factors that many parents regard as important is provided on the following pages. For more detailed information, parents should make contact with the schools in which they are interested. School prospectuses, handbooks and websites are useful sources of additional information. A school visit and an interview with the school principal or other senior member of the school staff may also be helpful. When choosing a school, parents need to ensure that it would meet the needs, interests and well-being of their child, in a context that accords with the family’s values and parents’ wishes. References (in bold type) in the checklist relate to information in the lists of schools available to download on the Department of Education Services (DES) website at www.des.wa.gov.au.

THE CHECKLIST 

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Some of the most frequently asked questions are about the academic standards and performance of nongovernment schools. Other questions often relate to the adequacy of the curriculum, facilities and teachers. There is no straightforward answer to questions about comparative academic standards and performance of schools due to the complexity of the learning process. Significant social, cultural, economic and other factors, including the learning environment provided by a school, interact to influence an individual student’s performance. Furthermore, it is argued that by focusing only on the academic performance of schools, other important outcomes of schooling are overlooked. For instance, development of artistic and sporting abilities, self-reliance and a positive self-esteem, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a commitment to active citizenship, to name just a few, are among the many outcomes that our society expects students to achieve from their experience at school. Although comparative academic performance of schools is difficult to measure and interpret, the media has an interest in making this information publicly available. Each year, partial information on Year 12 students’ academic results are analysed and compiled by the media to produce information showing the relative performance of schools. Most schools and educators do not accept that the educational effectiveness of a school can be reduced to measurements based on Year 12 results. They regard the media’s comparisons between schools as invalid because the base information is incomplete since it measures the performance of individual students on only part of a school’s total educational program. Other significant factors that influence the performance of students are not measured and factored into the interpretation of results; for example, differences in students’ attitudes and motivations or whether they are privately tutored. A Guide For Parents 2013 (2013/03770)

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All Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 9 students in non-government schools participate in national assessments of literacy and numeracy standards - NAPLAN. Parents are provided with information on their child’s performance in relation to NAPLAN benchmarks and the State aggregates, and this information is available through each school and via the My School website at: http://www.myschool.edu.au/ Information about a non-government school’s academic standards and performance can now be obtained by asking the school directly or visiting the My School website http://www.myschool.edu.au/ Most schools will consider a variety of different measures as indicators of their performance. It is a requirement of the Australian Government that all schools make certain information accessible to parents, either in published documents, on websites, or by other means, in a school Annual Report. 

SCHOOL LOCATION

The location of a suitable non-government school close to a student’s residence is often the first information that parents seek. The school lists available on the DES website, provide the address, telephone and facsimile numbers for each school, and email and website information where available. A list is also available showing the schools grouped by education district. This list helps parents to identify all the non-government schools located nearest to their place of residence. 

LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Non-government schools provide education in one or more of the stages of schooling indicated above. Check the columns in the lists marked “Lo Yr” and “Hi Yr” for the stages and year levels covered. The following abbreviations are used for the Year levels and stages of schooling: PK

Pre-kindergarten

Kindergarten

Pre-primary

Year 1

Primary

Year 2

Primary

Year 3

Primary

Year 4

Primary

Year 5

Primary

Year 6

Primary

Year 7

Primary or Secondary

Year 8

Secondary

Year 9

Secondary

Year 10

Secondary

Year 11

Secondary

Year 12

Secondary

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CO-EDUCATIONAL OR SINGLE-SEX

The majority of non-government schools are co-educational. The longer established non-government schools operate as girls only, or boys only schools. A small number of these schools also offer co-educational kindergarten/pre-primary and/or primary education. Check the column in the lists marked “Sex”. The following abbreviations are used to identify schools operate as girls only, boys only or co-educational.



co-educational

girls only

boys only

SCHOOL SIZE

Non-government schools, like government schools, vary considerably in their size. They range from large combined primary-secondary schools in the Perth Metropolitan area with enrolments exceeding 2,000 students through to small independent primary schools with fewer than 30 students. The average enrolment across all schools is about 350 students.

Statistical information about a non-government school’s enrolments may be obtained from information collected and held on computer by the Department of Education Services. Alternatively, this information may be obtained from the school directly. 

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

Eleven major religious affiliations are represented in Western Australian non-government schools. They are: • • • • • •

Anglican Baptist Catholic Church of Christ Free Reformed Greek Orthodox

• • • • •

Islamic Jewish Lutheran Seventh-day Adventist Uniting Church

The majority of religious schools are Catholic schools. There is also a significant number of non-denominational Christian schools. The religious content in religious schools varies between religions and between schools. In choosing to send their children to a religious school, parents should be aware of the level of commitment expected by the school to its religious ethos. About 20 per cent of non-government schools have no religious affiliation. Check the column in the lists marked “Religion”. Information about a non-government school’s religious ethos and how it is incorporated into educational programs and activities should be obtained from the school directly.

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

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Most non-government schools operate on conventional or mainstream principles of teaching and learning, as found in government schools. However, some non-government schools are established on the basis of specific learning philosophies and teaching methods. Some of these schools are variously described as “alternative”, “community” or “family” schools and include those that provide, for example, education based on the Montessori or Rudolph Steiner philosophies. These schools are included with the schools listed without a religious affiliation and are identified by the category “None” under the “Religion” column. Specific Montessori or Steiner schools can generally be identified from the name of the school. Information about a non-government school’s specific learning philosophy and teaching methods should be obtained from the school directly.



CURRICULUM AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Curriculum taught in non-government schools is similar to that taught in government schools because the desired educational outcomes for students are the same. It is the responsibility of all schools to implement teaching and learning programs and enriching experiences that meet the learning needs of all students and the curriculum requirements described by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and approved for Western Australian schools. Schools need to ensure that they provide all students with a planned and structured curriculum to improve their learning and equip them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become “successful learners, confident and creative individuals, active and informed citizens” (Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians, 2008).

School Curriculum must address all eight (8) learning areas: • • • • • • • •

English Mathematics Science including Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, Physical Sciences) Humanities and Social Sciences (including Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography, History) The Arts (including Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music, Visual Arts) Languages Health and Physical Education Technologies (including Design and Technology, Digital Technologies).

At the Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten stage, the education programs provided are appropriate for the ages and developmental stages of young children. These programs link to the primary school curriculum. All government and non-government schools are required to begin implementing the Australian Curriculum from Foundation (Pre-Primary) to Year 10, with full implementation by 2015). This move to a national curriculum will help ensure consistency in what is taught and what should be achieved at each year level. Under the national curriculum a non-government school may, however, implement a recognised alternative curriculum according to the specific religious affiliation and/or educational philosophy of the school eg. Montessori, Steiner, International Baccalaureate.

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Most non-government schools with Year 11 and Year 12 students offer a range of courses accredited by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. The Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) is awarded to senior secondary school students who satisfy its requirements. The WACE is a senior secondary certificate recognised nationally in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Generally, students complete two years of senior secondary study to achieve the WACE. The WACE is recognised by universities, other tertiary institutions, industry and other training providers. Achievement of a WACE signifies that a student has successfully met the breadth and depth requirements, and the achievement standard, of their courses of study and demonstrated their English language competence. Vocational education and training (VET) in schools engages students in work-related learning built on strategic partnerships between schools, registered training organisations, business, industry and the wider community. VET can be undertaken as part of the WACE. Completion of VET provides students with credit towards a nationally recognised vocational qualification within the AQF. A broad range of post-school vocational options and pathways are available through the study of VET. A WACE may also be awarded to a student based on their full-time participation and completion of a recognised non-school education or training course (including traineeships and apprenticeships), or if they are employed full-time, as an alternative to school attendance in Years 11 and 12, or based on their participation and completion of a combination of these options (which can include part-time attendance at school) provided their overall participation is full-time. These flexibilities were introduced to the Western Australian education system in 2006 when the school leaving age was raised. Information about subjects, courses of study, sports and extra-curricular activities offered by a non-government school should be obtained from the school directly.

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SPECIAL EDUCATION

Both Catholic and non-Catholic schools provide special education services to support students who require specific educational arrangements due to their intellectual, physical and/or social-emotional disability. Depending on the specific needs of the students, individual and small group assistance may be provided by trained special education staff at some schools, while at others, students are integrated into regular classes but may also receive specialised assistance for their needs at particular times. Telethon Speech & Hearing provides on-site education for kindergarten and pre-primary students who are hearing impaired. Primary and secondary students with a hearing impairment are enrolled through the school but attend other nearby non-government schools where specialist staff are provided by the school. The Perron Early Learning Centre operated by the Association for the Blind provides kindergarten and preprimary education for children with and without visual impairment. Information about special education services at Catholic non-government schools may be obtained from: Catholic Education Office of Western Australia Telephone: (08) 6380 5317 Facsimile: (08) 9381 3201 Information about special education services at non-Catholic non-government schools may be obtained from: Special Education Consultant, Association of Independent Schools of WA (Inc) Telephone: (08) 9441 1600 Facsimile: (08) 9244 2786

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

BOARDING

Most non-government schools are day schools, but some take boarders from the age of about 11 years. Boarding facilities assist parents living in rural, remote and overseas areas to provide their children with access to schooling that may not otherwise be available. Some parents also value boarding for the opportunities it gives a child to develop independence and to live in a wider community with other children from a variety of backgrounds. Boarding fees are charged by a non-government school in addition to the fees for tuition. The average boarding fee in 2013 is about $16,000~$20,000. Non-government schools with student boarding facilities are identified by the column in the lists marked “Boarding” and in the separate list, Active Boarding Non Government Schools by School Name. The Year levels of students accepted as boarders by a non-government school are shown in the column. Information about vacancies, waiting lists and boarding fees at a non-government school should be obtained from the school directly.



OVERSEAS STUDENTS

Overseas students on a student visa (visa class 571) may be enrolled at a non-government school that is registered under the Education Service Providers (Full-Fee Overseas Students) Registration Act 1991. Acceptance into one of these schools must be arranged prior to arriving in Western Australia. The schools are registered to offer education to student visa students in the Primary/Secondary categorise. The courses for which each school is registered to enrol student visa students are recorded in the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Copies of this register are held by Australian Diplomatic Missions, Australian Education Centres, International Development Program Offices, Consulate Generals and Embassies and the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIICCSRTE). Students will be charged a “full-fee” reflecting an education cost not subsidised by government funding. Non-government schools enrolling such students must not claim government funding for that category of student. Proficiency in English is a requirement to enrol at a school to ensure the intended education outcome can be achieved. This will be determined be each individual school. Health cover for the student is mandatory for the duration of the stay in Australia. Examples of other categories of overseas students who are required to pay the “full-fee” include school age children: • •

with a visitor visa or a tourist visa (usually visa classes 676-686); and dependants of “full-fee” overseas students enrolled at a Western Australian university, TAFE college, senior college or private educational institution.

It should be noted that these students are not required to hold a visa sub-class 571 to be eligible to enrol in a Western Australian school.

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There are also private “full-fee” colleges that provide a range of education services primarily for overseas students holding a visa sub-class 571. Each college is registered as a non-government school for the education programs that are provided. Information about the specific education services provided, categories of overseas students permitted to be enrolled, and fees for “full fee” overseas students at a non-government school or “full fee college” should be obtained from the school or college directly. 

TEMPORARY RESIDENTS

Overseas students whose parents have been issued a visa by the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship in one of the specified classes of temporary resident visa (usually visa classes 303, 410 - 428, 430 - 432, 442, 445, 457, 820, 826, 850, 890 or 995 and New Zealand citizens) and who can prove they are paying tax in Australia, may have the “full fee” condition waived. These students will be charged the usual school fee and the school will claim government funding for that category of student. Information about the enrolment in a non-government school of overseas students whose parents meet the Temporary Resident and Taxation requirements should be obtained from the school directly. 

FEES

School tuition fees vary widely among non-government schools. The fees charged by a school are influenced by the amount of State and Australian Government funding it receives. The majority of non-government schools are “low fee” schools and include the Aboriginal independent community schools, most of the Catholic schools, Anglican community schools, and some non-denominational Christian schools. There are comparatively few “high fee” schools, but included in this category are the longer established independent non-government schools. Annual tuition fees in 2012 ranged from an average of about $1,000 in Catholic primary schools to an average of about $4,000 for low fee independent schools and up to over $20,000 for some Year 12 high fee independent secondary schools. Fees for primary education are usually less than fees for secondary education. In addition to the tuition fee, schools may levy an amount towards an endowment fund and/or a school building fund, and at boarding schools a boarding fee is charged. Information about all fees and levies at a non-government school should be obtained from the school directly. 

SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Some schools may provide a fee remission or fee reduction under specific circumstances and offer scholarships that provide for full or partial payment of school fees. Entrance scholarships and special subject scholarships to some of the independent non- government schools are usually advertised by those schools in the Saturday edition of The West Australian newspaper early in the year for places available in the following year.

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Information about fee reductions, entrance and special subject scholarships available at a non-government school, and school fee funding plans, should be obtained from the school directly. Non-government schools may encourage parents to plan, financially, for their child’s education and several commercially based school fee funding plans are available that allow parents to accumulate the necessary funds. General scholarships are also provided to secondary students at government and non-government schools by various public and private organisations, foundations and local government authorities. Information about these scholarships is available from the Department of Education website: http://www.det.wa.edu.au/inclusiveeducation/detcms/navigation/community-relations/scholarships/ Information about the range of general scholarships available, conditions for eligibility, benefits and closing dates may be obtained directly from any government or nongovernment secondary school. 

STATE GOVERNMENT ALLOWANCES

The State Government provides the following financial assistance for students at government and nongovernment schools when eligibility conditions are satisfied.  Boarding Away from Home Allowance The Western Australian Department of Education makes available a student Boarding Away from Home Allowance each year to families and children attending primary and/or secondary school. The allowance for 2012 is $2,105 (subject to parental income and actual boarding costs) for students who board away for the full year. Students eligible are those who receive the Australian Government Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Boarding Allowance which is administered through Centrelink. Applications for the state boarding allowance are automatically sent out by Centrelink once eligibility for AIC is confirmed.  Secondary Assistance Scheme The Western Australian Department of Education provides an allowance to assist eligible families with secondary schooling costs. To be eligible the parent or guardian must hold a Centrelink Family Heath Care Card, Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card, or a Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card (not the Gold Card). Application is made by the parent or guardian for students enrolled in Years 8 - 12. The allowance is paid up to and including the year the student turns 16 years of age and consists of two components. Government Schools: • $115 Clothing Allowance paid directly to the parent/guardian or the school. • $235 Education Program Allowance paid directly to the school. Non-Government Schools: • $115 Clothing Allowance paid directly to the parent/guardian. • $235 Education Program Allowance paid directly to the school. Information about State Government student allowances can be obtained from: Department of Education Telephone: (08) 9264 4516 Facsimile: (08) 9264 5162 Email: student.allowances@education.wa.edu.au

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

ENROLMENT

Enrolment in a non-government school is normally made by application to the school. An enrolment may be accepted subject to there being a vacancy, agreement on payment of fees and any other requirements being met. At some schools, enrolment preference may be given to a student whose family is a member of the relevant church or religious body, particularly if the school has limited vacancies. Many parents aim to secure a place for their child at the school of their choice by making an early booking or enrolment application. Most non-government schools accept enrolments into any Year level that is offered subject to the availability of vacancies. However, several schools recommend particular points of entry to the school. For example, common points of entry are Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten, Pre-primary and Year 8 (or Year 7 if the school commences secondary schooling in Year 7). Information about enrolment procedures at a non-government school including waiting lists, booking fees, whether membership of a church or religious body is required, and any other specific requirements, should be obtained from the school directly. 

MORE INFORMATION

Other factors that may be important in influencing a parent’s or student’s choice of a non-government school include: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Academic, sporting and other achievements of the school Class sizes Discipline policy Homework policy Parent involvement Pastoral care arrangements Provision for academically gifted and talented students Provision for students with learning difficulties or other special needs Reporting to parents School uniform Teaching staff Year level placement policy Information on these and any other aspects of a non-government school should be obtained from the school directly.

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TERM DATES The Western Australian school year is divided into four terms with Terms 1 and 2 forming Semester 1 and Terms 3 and 4 forming Semester 2. The term dates vary slightly from year to year. The term dates provided are for government schools. These dates should be taken as a guide only to the dates in non-government schools. Catholic schools usually follow the same dates, but while many non-Catholic schools vary slightly from these dates, their students are expected to attend for approximately the same number of hours over the school year as students in government schools. Information about a non-government school’s term dates and school holidays should be obtained from the school directly.

2013

2014

2015

Semester 1

Term 1

4 February – 19 April

3 February – 11 April

2 February – 2 April

Term 2

6 May – 5 July

28 April – 4 July

20 April – 3 July

Semester 2

Term 3

22 July – 27 September

21 July – 26 September

20 July – 25 September

Term 4

14 October – 19 December

13 October – 18 December

12 October – 17 December

SCHOOL GOVERNANCE AND PARENT PARTICIPATION All schools value and encourage parental involvement in their children’s education through a variety of means. The formal and informal structures for parental participation vary from school to school and with the size of the school, the need for volunteer resources, or because of the school’s educational philosophy. Independent schools are generally incorporated as not-for-profit associations under the Associations Incorporation Act 1987. They are governed by an overarching board of governors, school board or school council that operates according to a constitution and/or set of rules. The constitution usually outlines the composition and processes of nomination or election of the members of the governing body. Most governing bodies are broadly representative of parents, the general community, the sponsoring church or religious body, if relevant, and usually include persons with expertise in education, management, law and/or finance. The governing body determines the overall policy and direction of the school, including its financial operation, and delegates authority to the school principal to implement and manage the school on a day to day basis. Systemic schools, although administered centrally by a church or religious body that determines the overall education policy for the member schools, also have local school boards or school councils with similar roles and responsibilities to those outlined above. In addition to membership of a school’s governing body, parents may be actively involved in the school’s parents’ association (usually known in the non-government school sector as the Parents and Friends’ Association).

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These associations are usually incorporated bodies that operate with a constitution. General membership is open to all parents of children attending the school. The role of parents’ associations may vary from school to school. It may include providing opinion and advice on aspects of the school’s policies and the welfare of students; provision of services such as a school canteen, uniform shop, etc; providing volunteer services to the school; and in fund raising for the school. Contributions by individual parents to the educational program is frequently encouraged, particularly in the lower education levels, for example, through rostered help in kindergarten/pre-primary activities, assisting teachers by hearing children read, undertaking library duties, providing input to lessons on relevant and interesting topics in the parent’s field of career expertise or interest, etc.

PARENTS AND FRIENDS’ FEDERATION OF WA (INC) Parents and Friends’ Associations at individual Catholic schools are affiliated with the Parents and Friends’ Federation of WA (Inc), a State level organisation that officially represents parents of children enrolled at Catholic schools. Its contact address is included under the section “Other Sources of Information and Advice”. The Parents and Friends’ Federation of WA (Inc) is an affiliated organisation of the Australian Parents Council Inc, a national body for parents of children attending non-government schools. Currently, there is no State level organisation equivalent to the Parents and Friends’ Federation representing parents of children attending non-Catholic schools. Information about a non-government school’s parents’ association should be obtained directly from the school.

COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTES Experience shows that most complaints can usually be resolved easily by a school through open and effective communication. The State Government does not usually become involved in resolving complaints about operational matters in non-government schools. All registered non-government schools are required to have an effective disputes and complaints resolution policy. However, circumstances that do require Government intervention occur when a formal written complaint is received and/or when there is sufficient cause to believe that a non-government school is unable to maintain the minimum conditions necessary for registration. A formal written complaint is fully investigated and appropriate action is taken if the complaint is substantiated. Following a formal agreement between the Minister for Education and the Catholic Education Office, complaints about a Catholic school received by the Government will be directed in the first instance to the school’s central administering body, the Catholic Education Office, for investigation. Parents and members of the community with a complaint about a non-government school are advised in the first instance to contact the school principal to seek a resolution of the complaint.

In some cases it may be appropriate for the complaint to be directed to the school’s governing body, and/or in the case of systemic schools, to the relevant central administering body, for further action.

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school organisation listed under the section “Other Sources of Information and Advice”.

In cases where an international student has a complaint, the student/student family must follow the school’s international resolution process. DES also provides the services of a conciliator free of charge to assist on request. If the complaint is unable to be resolved satisfactorily through the internal process, it may then be referred to the school’s pre-defined external complaints body.

SCHOOLS CATERING ONLY FOR PRE-COMPULSORY EDUCATION There is a small number of registered schools that provide education at the kindergarten and/or pre-primary level/s only. These were formerly referred to as “independent kindergartens” or “independent pre-schools”. Each registered school of this type has been inspected on behalf of the Minister for Education and found to meet the minimum requirements for registration. The schools are registered under the School Education Act 1999. Several of the schools are owned and operated privately for profit, while others are not-for-profit organisations that are managed by parent committees. These schools can be identified in the Active Non-Government Schools by School Name list available to download on the Department of Education Services website (www.des.wa.gov.au) by checking the “Lo Yr” and “Hi Yr” columns. Information about the education services provided and fees charged should be obtained from the school directly.

HOME EDUCATION Some parents who inquire about non-government schooling as an alternative to government schooling also inquire about educating their children at home. Parents or others qualifying as “home educators” are required to be registered under the terms and conditions of the School Education Act 1999. A child cannot be authorised to undertake home education and be formally enrolled full-time or part-time at the same time at a government or non-government school. However some non-government schools may provide valuable socialisation experiences and informal support to home education students. As nongovernment schools are ineligible for Australian or State Government funding for any such home education students, they may charge the students’ parents a fee for the services they provide. Responsibility for approving a home education program rests with the Deputy Director General (Schools) of the Department of Education through the District Director of the particular district, following inspection of the program. Information, advice and applications for home tuition should be directed to the relevant District Education Office. Telephone numbers for each office are listed under the Department of Education entry in the White Pages Telephone Directories.

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OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ADVICE THE ANGLICAN SCHOOLS COMMISSION (INC) PO Box 2520 MT CLAREMONT WA 6010 5 Wollaston Road MT CLAREMONT WA 6010 Telephone: (08) 9286 0290 Facsimile: (08) 9384 5023 Email: info@asc.wa.edu.au Website: www.asc.wa.edu.au (The Reverend Peter Laurence, Chief Executive Officer)

FREE REFORMED SCHOOL ASSOCIATION INC C/- John Calvin Christian College PO Box 474 ARMADALE WA 6992 Telephone: (08) 9497 0000 Facsimile: (08) 9497 3280 Email: admin@frsa.asn.au Website: www.frsa.asn.au

ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF WA INC PO Box 1817 OSBORNE PARK DC WA 6916 3/41 Walters Drive OSBORNE PARK WA 6017 Telephone: (08) 9441 1600 Facsimile: (08) 9244 2786 Email: reception@ais.wa.edu.au Website: www.ais.wa.edu.au (Ms Valerie Gould, Executive Director)

PARENTS AND FRIENDS’ FEDERATION OF WA INC PO Box 909 INGLEWOOD WA 6932 1st Floor, 101 Wood Street, INGLEWOOD WA 6052 Telephone: (08) 9271 5909 Email: execoff@pff.wa.edu.au Website: www.pandf.org.au (Mrs Shelley Hill, Executive Officer)

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA PO Box 198 LEEDERVILLE WA 6903 50 Ruislip Street LEEDERVILLE WA 6007 Telephone: (08) 6380 5200 Facsimile: (08) 9381 3201 Email: ceowa@ceo.wa.edu.au Website: www.ceo.wa.edu.au (Mr Tim McDonald, Director of Catholic Education in WA)

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOLS (WA) LTD P O Box 134 GOSNELLS WA 6990 44-60 Station Street GOSNELLS WA 6110 Telephone: (08) 9398 7222 Facsimile: (08) 9398 5164 Email: acswa@adventist.org.au Website: www.adventist.org.au (Mrs Dianne Hillsdon, Education Director)

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS AUSTRALIA LTD - WA STATE OFFICE PO Box 5248 ROCKINGHAM BEACH WA 6969 Gnagara Drive WAIKIKI WA 6169 Telephone: (08) 9527 9565 Facsimile: (08) 9528 7324 Email: rdallin@csa.edu.au Website: www.csa.edu.au (Mr Ray Dallin, State Executive Officer)

SWAN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION INC P O Box 254 MIDLAND WA 6936 1 Padbury Terrace MIDLAND WA 6056 Telephone: (08) 9274 6411 Facsimile: (08) 9274 6899 Email: info@scea.wa.edu.au Website: www.scea.wa.edu.au (The Reverend Stephen Lee, Chief Executive Officer)

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NATIONAL PO Box 1892 PENRITH NSW 2751 836 Mulgoa Road MULGOA NSW 2745 Telephone: (02) 4773 5800 Facsimile: (02) 4773 5801 Email: cen@cen.edu.au Website: www.cen.edu.au (Mr Ken Dickens, Chief Executive Officer)

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