Enrolment Procedures

It is extremely important to ensure that all staff have information about the needs of the student and have access to specific cultural information when the student commences school. If needed, and if possible, make sure an interpreter is available on site for enrolment.

Early Childhood and Primary

Secondary

College

ESL New Arrivals Form (Word Document)

Early Childhood and Primary School Students

The PEO ESL or AST 3 ESL will notify the school and arrange an enrolment time with the Principal and ESL teacher.
The student and parents / carers will come to the school together with the ESL teacher, interpreter and AST 3 ESL (if required) for the enrolment.
A member of the family’s Community Refugee Support group may also be present.
The Principal or a senior staff member will enrol the student, assisted by the ESL teacher.
Parents / carers provide visa/passport/citizenship papers to establish residency status (usually it will be a visa) and 2 photocopies are made (1 for school, 1 for PEO ESL).
Usual school enrolment forms as well as the Student Assistance Form are completed. Questions concerning student health, physical disabilities etc. need to be clearly discussed i.e. parents / carers understand that students will not be excluded from education due to these factors.
Parents / carers are provided with information about the school, preferably written eg. plan of the school, name of class teacher, timetable, uniform requirements.
The Principal and / or ESL teacher shows the family around the school and introduces the student to their class teacher and class.
Uniform is organised and a starting date arranged.
The ESL Teacher completes the ESL New Arrivals Form, attaches Australian Visa documentation and forwards to the PEO- ESL.
The ESL teacher will offer a follow up meeting with parents / carers, class teacher and ESL teacher (and interpreter) after a settling in period.

During enrolment the enrolling person will obtain relevant background information to disseminate with the class teacher:

the student’s preferred name and correct pronunciation
cultural and religious information e.g. dietary factors
languages spoken
previous education and literacy level
interests
family background and experience

Be aware that some of this information may be sensitive and confidential and is better communicated orally.

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Secondary students

The PEO ESL or AST 3 ESL will notify the school and arrange an enrolment time with the Principal and ESL teacher.
The student and parents /carers will come to the school together with the ESL teacher, interpreter and AST 3 ESL (if required) for the enrolment.
A member of the family’s Community Refugee Support group may also be present.
The Principal or a senior staff member will enrol the student, assisted by the ESL teacher.
Parents provide visa/passport/citizenship papers to establish residency status (usually it will be a visa) and 2 photocopies are made (1 for school, 1 for PEO ESL).
Usual school enrolment forms as well as the Student Assistance Form are completed. Questions concerning student health, physical disabilities etc. need to be clearly discussed i.e. parents / carers understand that students will not be excluded from education due to these factors. Provide students with concession forms for bus pass if required: https://eform.dier.tas.gov.au/sbpoaf/default.asp
Questions are asked to find out the student’s interests for suitable course selection. Students are enrolled in all classes and ESL support is provided as required.
The parents / carers are provided with information about the school, preferably written eg. plan of the school, name of home group teacher, starting and finishing times, uniform requirements and expectations.
The importance of school rules are explained to ensure the student feels secure.
The Principal and / or ESL teacher shows the family around the school and introduces the student to their home group teacher, other staff members and students. The student is also introduced to a key staff number, e.g. grade supervisor or home group teacher, who will be responsible for the student’s welfare.
Uniform is organised and a starting date arranged.
The ESL Teacher completes the ESL New Arrivals Form, attaches Australian Visa documentation and forwards to the PEO- ESL.
The ESL teacher will offer a follow up meeting with parents / carers, class teacher and ESL teacher (and interpreter) after a settling in period.

During enrolment the enrolling person will obtain relevant background information to disseminate with the Grade Coordinators, home group and other key teachers:

the student’s preferred name and correct pronunciation
cultural and religious information e.g. dietary factors
languages spoken
previous education and literacy level
interests
family background and experience

Be aware that some of this information may be sensitive and confidential and is better communicated orally.

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College Students

Allow more time than usual for the enrolment. A second visit may be required to complete the enrolment.
The PEO ESL or AST 3 ESL will notify the college and arrange an enrolment time with the Principal or designated staff member and the ESL teacher (if available).
The student’s parents or member of the family’s Community Refugee Support group may wish to be involved in enrolment.
Ask the student to provide visa/passport/citizenship papers to establish residency status (usually it will be a visa) and 2 photocopies are made (1 for school, 1 for PEO ESL).
Questions are asked to find out the student’s schooling background and interests. Students are given information about college programs, including ESL program provision, expectations and subject choices (see subject choice and timetabling below).
The student is given time to think about and discuss the choices available. A copy of the current College Handbook is provided.
The student is told who will be involved in their program and who can help in course selection.
Usual enrolment forms as well as the Student Assistance Form are completed. Provide students with concession forms for bus pass if required: https://eform.dier.tas.gov.au/sbpoaf/default.asp
Show the student the layout of the college including amenities and the ESL room / working area. Provide a map of the college and introduce the student to key staff members and other students. Where there are small numbers of ESL students and an itinerant ESL program teacher have one or two designated staff members available for the newly arrived student.
Arrangements are made for an ID card and a starting date.
Arrange to record the arrival of the student, and the pronunciation of his/her name, on the staff news sheet.
The ESL Teacher completes the ESL New Arrivals Form, attaches Australian Visa documentation and forwards to the PEO- ESL.

During enrolment the enrolling person will obtain relevant background information to disseminate with the College teachers:

the student’s preferred name and correct pronunciation;
cultural and religious information;
languages spoken;
previous education and literacy level;
interests; and
family background and experience.

Be aware some of this information maybe sensitive and confidential, and is better communicated orally.

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Subject Choice and Timetabling:

First subject choices for all students may need to include a Computing subject, a Maths subject and English as a Second Language. [Two lines of ESL can be helpful.] Encourage the student to include a recreational subject.
Other subject(s) of interest need to be discussed with teachers to ensure appropriate placement.
Open Learning materials, designed for individual work, may be used as a resource by students within classes, with support given by the subject teacher or ESL program teacher and with the agreement of Open Learning staff.
Subjects chosen need to be reviewed after a settling-in period. It is common for students to over estimate what they can initially achieve in a second language i.e. too many subjects, at too high a level.