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International Students (Support)

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First created 25 July 2012
Last reviewed 19 June 2020
Review cycle Two years
Approver Senior Leadership Team
Owner Finance Manager
Stakeholders Students, parents
Child Safety National Principles 1-5, 7, 8-10

Overview #

  1. We acknowledge that international students may require additional support in order to complete a course of study successfully. This is most relevant when the student does not reside with his or her parents. In these circumstances, we will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) and the student may be subject to a Student Home Stay Agreement.
  2. Students who do not maintain adequate attendance (defined as 80%) are at greater risk of failing to achieve a satisfactory academic standard. This may negatively impact a student’s plans for future schooling or tertiary study.
  3. Staff should be informed as early as possible of any circumstances which might indicate that a student requires additional support. We will offer appropriate guidance to ensure that students are fully supported throughout their studies at Rehoboth.
  4. This policy applies to international students, their families, and carers under home stay arrangements.

Attachments and References #

This policy should be read in conjunction with the following documents:

  1. Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
  2. International Students (Home Stay Arrangements) Policy
  3. Emergency Management Plan
  4. Retention of Records Policy
  5. International Students (Discipline) Policy
  6. International Students (Complaints and Grievances) Policy

Definitions #

  1. COE means Confirmation of Enrolment
  2. DESE means the Department of Education, Skills and Employment
  3. DIAC Department of Immigration and Citizenship (previously DIBP, now Home Affairs)
  4. LMS means Learning Management System
  5. PRISMS means Provider Registration International Students Management System

International Student Liaison Officers #

  1. The International Students Liaison Officer (ISLO) is the Principal at the Secondary Campus at Kenwick. After the class teachers, the ISLO assumes responsibility as the primary contact person for international student issues.
  2. Rehoboth enrols international students at both Wilson and Kenwick Campuses. International students at both campuses are also able to access chaplaincy services, and an introduction to these key staff will be provided during student induction and orientation days.

Monitoring of International Student Attendance and Progress #

  1. The ISLO will monitor the welfare of students from academic and non-academic perspectives, including the monitoring of attendance and course progress.
  2. The ISLO monitors attendance by making regular checks of the attendance roll, maintained in the SEQTA LMS.
  3. Teaching staff and the Deputy Principal assess the degree of course progress by way of regular assessments during the semester.
    4. The Finance Manager will meet with the ISLO at least once each term to communicate changes, provide a forum for dealing with any matters that may arise, and to facilitate any reporting that may become necessary within PRISMS.

Attendance #

  1. International students are required to attend school for a minimum of 80% of days available for instruction.
  2. If a student fails to attend classes on five consecutive days in a term without approval, then the student becomes at risk of failing to meet the requirement for 80% attendance.
  3. If a student achieves unsatisfactory attendance and there are no extenuating circumstances, we are required to consider making a report through PRISMS. Such a report may have implications for the currency of the student’s visa. For this reason, the ISLO will take early action to reduce this possibility and minimise potential consequences.
  4. Early action consists of:
    1. notifying the Finance Manager of the attendance pattern;
    2. contacting the student and parent/guardian to establish the reasons for absence;
    3. arranging for appropriate counselling, services, and other interventions to support the student and family to improve attendance.
  5. Once a student’s attendance has been assessed as unsatisfactory, the Finance Manager will notify the family of our intention to report the student via PRISMS. This communication will advise that the student has twenty school days in which to appeal the decision using our complaints and grievances process.
  6. If the student accesses the complaints and grievances process, we will not notify DESE until the process is completed. If our decision is upheld, the notification will proceed. If the student does not access the complaints and grievances process, notification proceeds at the expiry of the twenty day term.

Academic Progress #

  1. The Principal determines a level of satisfactory progress in each year level.
  2. Our student assessment and reporting system will set out the student’s achievement and progress each semester. In addition, class teachers will communicate regularly with the student and parents/ guardians to ensure satisfactory progress in each assessment area and stage throughout the semester. This is designed to offer early intervention and planning so that the student’s learning needs are addressed promptly, and any issues are quickly resolved wherever possible.
  3. The ISLO may refer the student to the Chaplain, or for external counselling, or may make any other recommendation deemed appropriate after discussion with the student, the family, and others. This action is taken to assist the student with improving his or her outcomes. This support may take the form of a recommendation to attend additional academic programs, tutorials, or other types of study support.
  4. If, despite the measures outlined above, we assess that the student is making inadequate progress, reporting to DESE through PRISMS is indicated. The Finance Manager will write to the family informing them of our intention to report. The letter advises the student of his or her right to appeal this decision through our complaints and grievances process.
  5. If the student accesses the complaints and grievances process, we will not notify DESE until the process is completed. If our decision is upheld, notification proceeds. If the student does not access the complaints and grievances process, notification goes ahead at the expiry of the twenty day term.

Completion of Course within Expected Duration #

  1. Where it becomes clear that a student is unlikely to complete a course of study within the expected period of enrolment, we may in certain limited circumstances extend the duration of a student’s study period. A study period extension will result in the requirement for an amended COE.
  2. Circumstances that are contemplated as likely to give rise to an extension of a student’s study period include:
    1. illness supported by medical evidence;
    2. personal circumstances that merit an intervention on compassionate grounds;
    3. where we are unable to offer a particular prerequisite unit;
    4. where interventions have been put into place to support students at academic risk;
    5. other approved deferments or suspensions of studies as mutually agreed.

General Student Welfare #

  1. Students are expected to approach their class or form teacher with any concerns in the first instance. If the teacher is unable to address a concern, and the matter arises uniquely because of the student’s status as an international student, then the student is to be referred to the ISLO.
  2. The ISLO will assess the student’s requirements and refer the student for additional support as appropriate. In so doing, the ISLO will consider any relevant issues, including the student’s rights under privacy legislation.
  3. Teachers should be aware that circumstances may arise which have extended implications for international students when compared with similar circumstances that may arise for other students.
  4. An example of a circumstance giving rise to extended implications for an international student might be: An international student develops a record for poor attendance. We assess that the student is at academic risk as a result and note that this may become a reportable matter under PRISMS, with subsequent reporting to DIAC. DIAC then assesses that the student has breached the terms of the student visa. In these circumstances, the ISLO obtains early information about the student’s attendance pattern by checking the roll regularly. If the student’s attendance falls to 90%, the ISLO advises the Finance Manager immediately. The Finance Manager contacts the parent/guardian to advise that poor attendance may affect the student’s ability to continue to study in Australia.

Communication #

The Finance Manager will meet with the ISLO once per term to review international student matters and ensure that staff who are responsible for the welfare of international students are aware of relevant College policies. This meeting provides an opportunity for staff to work together in the interests of international students.

Record Keeping #

We retain copies of all correspondence about student support and welfare, attendance, and academic progress in the family and student files. Our normal record retention policy applies.

International Students