The Hills Christian Community School

Enrolment Policy

Download the General Terms and Conditions of Enrolment [26 Kb PDF file]

General

No firm commitment to enrolment for future years will be given until Term 2 in any year. At that time, parents should be advised of an enrolment offer for the following year, based on the following criteria. They should be given two weeks from the time of the offer to notify their acceptance or otherwise. Unaccepted offers will be offered to the next on the list.

Specific Criteria

Siblings of an existing child have automatic entry. A reminder needs to be made from time to time to current parents to ensure that pre-schoolers are enrolled.
Children who have been in the School previously and who have transferred due to parents' employment should be re-enrolled, providing there are vacancies at the particular levels desired.
The children of ex-students shall be enrolled.
Other enrolment places will be offered in order of receipt of application, on a "first on list, first enrolled" basis.
Discretionary Enrolment - The Principal in consultation with the Board Chairman may offer up to 10% of vacancies to children under a "Special Case" category, eg Minister's children new to the district who are therefore unable to meet ordinary criteria.

Application for Enrolment

An Application for Enrolment Form will ordinarily be completed at the time of a first enquiry. This form is dated when received, so that the criteria listed above can be satisfied.

Interview & School Tour

Following an initial enquiry a letter will be sent asking parents to make an appointment for an interview with the Principal. A school tour with the Business Manager is available if desired.

Position Offer

Following an interview with the Principal a letter will be forwarded informing the parents of the status of a position. If a position is available an offer will be made to the family, acceptance of the position will be on the receipt of one half of the Enrolment Deposit (see Fee Schedule).

Admission Form

Immediately prior to commencing School at HCCS an Admission Form is to be completed, by both parents, so that the enrolment process is finalised and formalised.

Class sizes

Generally the maximum number of students in a Junior Primary class will be 25 although preferences are to keep them lower. Years 3-7 will normally have a maximum of 28 students. In special circumstances the Principal, in consultation with the staff concerned, may allow these numbers to be exceeded and will negotiate additional support for the class teacher.

Children commencing school in reception

There will be three intakes of children into the Reception class(es) each year: One in January (first term), one in April (second term) and July (third term).
Generally children should turn 5 before commencing school, however some flexibility may be applied to meet the needs of individual children. This needs to be discussed and negotiated with the Principal.
To provide this flexibility:
- Children beginning in term 1 will need to turn 5 by March 1st
- Children turning 5 between March 1st and May 15th may begin in term 2
- Children turning 5 between May 16th and September 15th may begin in term 3
- Children whose birthday falls after September 15th would normally begin school the following year.
Children are not under compulsion to begin school until they turn 6, so parents may choose one of the above options for their child between age five and six.
Outside the above arrangements, any variation from these dates would rest on a strong recommendation from the Kindergarten and discussions with parents in terms of meeting the child’s particular needs.
As a general rule children commencing in Term 1 will spend 4 terms in Reception; those commencing in Term 2 will spend 3 terms in Reception; those commencing in Term 3 would usually spend 6 terms in Reception. As always, the needs of the individual child will be the most important criteria in children beginning and moving through the school, and will be the subject of extensive discussion between parents and school staff.

	Enrolment Policy Download the General Terms and Conditions of Enrolment [26 Kb PDF file] General No firm commitment to enrolment for future years will be given until Term 2 in any year. At that time, parents should be advised of an enrolment offer for the following year, based on the following criteria. They should be given two weeks from the time of the offer to notify their acceptance or otherwise. Unaccepted offers will be offered to the next on the list. Specific Criteria Siblings of an existing child have automatic entry. A reminder needs to be made from time to time to current parents to ensure that pre-schoolers are enrolled. Children who have been in the School previously and who have transferred due to parents' employment should be re-enrolled, providing there are vacancies at the particular levels desired. The children of ex-students shall be enrolled. Other enrolment places will be offered in order of receipt of application, on a "first on list, first enrolled" basis. Discretionary Enrolment - The Principal in consultation with the Board Chairman may offer up to 10% of vacancies to children under a "Special Case" category, eg Minister's children new to the district who are therefore unable to meet ordinary criteria. Application for Enrolment An Application for Enrolment Form will ordinarily be completed at the time of a first enquiry. This form is dated when received, so that the criteria listed above can be satisfied. Interview & School Tour Following an initial enquiry a letter will be sent asking parents to make an appointment for an interview with the Principal. A school tour with the Business Manager is available if desired. Position Offer Following an interview with the Principal a letter will be forwarded informing the parents of the status of a position. If a position is available an offer will be made to the family, acceptance of the position will be on the receipt of one half of the Enrolment Deposit (see Fee Schedule). Admission Form Immediately prior to commencing School at HCCS an Admission Form is to be completed, by both parents, so that the enrolment process is finalised and formalised. Class sizes Generally the maximum number of students in a Junior Primary class will be 25 although preferences are to keep them lower. Years 3-7 will normally have a maximum of 28 students. In special circumstances the Principal, in consultation with the staff concerned, may allow these numbers to be exceeded and will negotiate additional support for the class teacher. Children commencing school in reception There will be three intakes of children into the Reception class(es) each year: One in January (first term), one in April (second term) and July (third term). Generally children should turn 5 before commencing school, however some flexibility may be applied to meet the needs of individual children. This needs to be discussed and negotiated with the Principal. To provide this flexibility: Children beginning in term 1 will need to turn 5 by March 1st Children turning 5 between March 1st and May 15th may begin in term 2 Children turning 5 between May 16th and September 15th may begin in term 3 Children whose birthday falls after September 15th would normally begin school the following year. Children are not under compulsion to begin school until they turn 6, so parents may choose one of the above options for their child between age five and six. Outside the above arrangements, any variation from these dates would rest on a strong recommendation from the Kindergarten and discussions with parents in terms of meeting the child’s particular needs. As a general rule children commencing in Term 1 will spend 4 terms in Reception; those commencing in Term 2 will spend 3 terms in Reception; those commencing in Term 3 would usually spend 6 terms in Reception. As always, the needs of the individual child will be the most important criteria in children beginning and moving through the school, and will be the subject of extensive discussion between parents and school staff.