Who We Are #
Welcome to Rehoboth Christian College.
We would particularly like to welcome those who are new to Rehoboth. We pray that you will soon feel part of our wonderful community and that your children will settle in quickly and well.
We know that all families will be blessed by being a part of our school community as we seek to provide an authentic Christ-centred education which develops the spiritual, cognitive, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of our students.
We want to continue to build strong relationships between home, school, and church with parents, staff, and volunteers working together. Rehoboth is partnering with families by providing Christian education where the Bible is the foundational document in every learning area of the curriculum. It is our desire to equip students by teaching them to think with the mind of Christ; to look at the world through the lens of God’s Word; and to develop a Christian worldview in the way they examine and interpret the world around them. Therefore, our focus is on preparation and equipping well.
Communication is important in building and maintaining a vibrant culture at Rehoboth. We ask that you be proactive in speaking to staff regularly, encouraging each other, discussing concerns that you may have, and celebrating successes. This is vital in establishing and building the strong partnership we desire to have with you – it is a two-way relationship where good communication is not only encouraged but valued by both parties.
This manual contains information detailing many expectations and procedures that ensure the smooth running of the College. Please read it carefully before school begins, even though your family may have been attending Rehoboth for some time, as some procedures are modified from year to year. It is also useful for parents new to Rehoboth to read through this manual with your children early in the school year. It will assist them in becoming familiar with their new school environment.
It is our aim to continue to improve in every area of the College so that we might glorify God in everything that we think, say, and do. Let us work together to provide this Christ-centred education that we value so much, so that each child grows in faith and in their knowledge and love of the Lord as they follow the path that He has prepared for them.
Mr David Geijsman
Principal: Wilson K-6
Mrs Nicole Marmion
Principal: Kenwick K-6
Mr Brenton Marlow
Principal: Kenwick 7-12
Our Vision
To engage the whole child to think, respond, and live with excellence for the glory of God alone.
Our Mission
Rehoboth exists as an extension of the Christian home, partnering with parents as a covenant community to support them in their task of nurturing and educating their children to equip them for all of life.
Our Purpose
We believe that it is our purpose to orient students Biblically toward the knowledge of God, the Gospel, humanity, and all of God’s creation, so that they would seek His will, see things as He sees them, and engage with and influence the culture in which they live. We believe that the Christian school must partner with parents and churches to develop the whole child (i.e. their academic, spiritual, moral, personal, and social growth), to inspire them to excel, to exhibit perseverance and resilience, and to make wise choices. Such an education is distinctly Christian in its character, intentions, and outworking.
Rehoboth is a non-government, independent, coeducational college providing education from Kindy to Year 12. We enrol 1,100 students across two campuses in the southern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. Rehoboth has been in continuous operation since first opening our doors on 14 February 1966. We were the first parent-governed Christian college in WA, and the third school of this kind in Australia.
Students enrolling in our K-6 schools need to have a reasonably high level of English language on entry. English competency may be assessed through the Australian Education Assessment Services (AEAS).
Students enrolling in Years 7-12 need to sit the AEAS test and satisfy both language and academic requirements.
The Australian Government wants overseas students studying in Australia to have a safe, enjoyable, and rewarding place for their learning. Australia’s laws promote quality education and consumer protection for overseas students. These laws are known as the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Framework.
Please note that Rehoboth does not employ the services of Education Agents to recruit overseas students. Prospective families should contact the College directly and we will be very happy to work with you to enrol your students.
Living in Perth #
Western Australia (WA) has a population of just over 2.6 million, one tenth of Australia’s total population. WA’s cultural mix is also one of the most diverse in the world – 12% of the state’s population speak a language other than English at home, with the main languages spoken being Italian, dialects of Chinese, Vietnamese, and German.
World standard cultural facilities and theatres are home to WA’s nationally acclaimed symphony orchestra, ballet, modern dance, opera, and theatre companies. Each February, the Perth International Arts Festival provides a major showcase of international, national, and local performers.
Residents and visitors also have access to numerous public and private galleries and museums, with major touring exhibitions supplementing local collections. For those with more contemporary tastes, Perth is on many major festival and tour itineraries, while numerous clubs and hotels foster a vibrant local musical scene.
Sporting facilities, such as Optus Stadium and magnificent golf courses, are plentiful. Compared with most Asian countries, club membership costs are low. WA teams are prominent at the national level in a wide range of sports.
Perth is home to 2.3 million people with approximately 30% of its population born overseas. Society is extraordinarily harmonious, and all newcomers and visitors are welcome. Sophisticated yet uncomplicated, WA’s lifestyle is a relaxed one. Enjoying more hours of sunshine than any other capital city in Australia, Perth has much to offer.
To many overseas visitors, Perth is seen as unique among the world’s cities – despite its tall city buildings, extensive freeway system, and state- of-the-art electric trains. Perhaps it’s the friendly people, the easy-living Mediterranean climate, and the sprawling low-rise suburbs. Perhaps it’s the closeness to the beach because no matter where you live in Perth, you are never far away from the ocean.
Two out of every three Western Australians own or are in the process of buying their own home. Housing in Perth is an excellent investment and rental accommodation is readily available.
Perth’s bustling central business district is just 7 kilometres from the coast – perched on the banks of the majestic Swan River and nestled beneath the city’s 400-hectare botanical showcase, Kings Park. A 15 minute drive to the east is the modern international and domestic airports, while 15 kilometres to the southwest is Fremantle, the closest major Australian port to Singapore.
Transperth provides the Perth metropolitan region with bus, train, and ferry public transport services, with an extensive network.
Students enrolling for Kindy to Year 6 must be living with a parent or a close relative for the duration of the course. They must have an adequate level of English language proficiency.
Students enrolling in Years 7-12 who are under 18 years of age can only be accepted if the student is living with an immediate relative or with a guardian under a Home Stay Arrangement.
Living with English speaking families will be an advantage to students wishing to improve their language skills. If students want to stay with family or friends in Perth, this information must be submitted to the college before students begin their studies. The family or friends must be over 18 years of age, they must be resident in the State of Western Australia, and they cannot be international students themselves. Our Finance Manager must approve all accommodation arrangements.
Our Homestay Program places international students into Christian families who are committed to the care and wellbeing of the visiting student. Many of these families have children who are students at the College. Where the College arranges homestay accommodation, the parents of students who are under 18 years of age must certify that they are satisfied with the homestay arrangements made on their child’s behalf.
If a student arranges their own accommodation this must be approved by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP). This will become evident when processing the Certificate of Enrolment through PRISMS. If the DIBP deem the accommodation to be unsuitable then the enrolment of the student is cancelled.
Primary Course
Years 1-6 (Code 0101458) #
The following online resources contain valuable information on studying in Perth as an international student:
It must be stressed that a student’s level of English language ability is a major factor in determining whether a place can be offered at Rehoboth. There are different ways for testing language ability depending on the student’s age:
Kindy to Year 3
Non-English speaking international Students from Kindy to Year 3 seeking a place at Rehoboth will be assessed verbally. The Principal may insist on English language tutoring, which will be at the parents’ expense.
Years 4-6
Non-English speaking international students in Years 4-6 seeking a place at Rehoboth must be tested by the Australian Education Assessment Service (AEAS). The AEAS test provides an educational profile on each student and covers English language ability. Details of international representatives who administer the AEAS test will be sent to students who enquire about studies at Rehoboth. It is the responsibility of parents and students to contact the appropriate representative to make arrangements for sitting the test. The cost of this assessment, which is payable by parents or students, is approximately AUD$320. Completed test papers are forwarded by the representatives to Melbourne, Australia, for marking. AEAS will forward a completed assessment report to Rehoboth, the parents, and the international representative.
Upon receipt of the report, we will advise the student through the appropriate representative of the result of their application. A satisfactory result in the AEAS test does not guarantee a place at Rehoboth. The firm offer of a place depends on a range of factor, including whether a vacancy is available at the College. We give each applicant careful consideration, but the demand for places is high.
- Code of Conduct: Student must demonstrate acceptable attendance, behaviour, effort, and attitude in keeping with the Christian ethos of the College. Our Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour expected of all students.
- School Terms: There are four terms per year, each of approximately ten weeks, with two-week holiday periods between terms. The long summer holiday of approximately six weeks occurs during December and January.
- Hours of Tuition: Hours of tuition are from 8:40am to 3:10pm Monday to Friday during term times.
- Attendance: Students must attend classes for 100% of College time unless they have a medical certificate or a letter from their parent or homestay parent advising that there is good reason for the student to be absent. If a student is absent without permission his or her Certificate of Enrolment may be withdrawn.
- Monitoring of Results: Students in mainstream school programs at Rehoboth receive a full report at the end of each semester. It is expected that students will maintain an academic standard that is appropriate to their ability, or their enrolment at the College may be at risk.
- Student Visa: The Primary course is available to holders of appropriate student visas.
Secondary Courses
Years 7-10 (Code 0101459)
Years 11-12 (Code 0101460) #
The following online resources contain valuable information on studying in Perth as an international student:
It must be stressed that a student’s level of English language ability is a major factor in determining whether a place can be offered at Rehoboth. For entry into Years 7-12, students are tested through the Australian Education Assessment Services (AEAS) for language and academic ability. It also covers non-verbal reasoning ability and mathematical reasoning ability.
Students must satisfy all the requirements of the AEAS assessment for their age and year level. For entry to Years 7-9 this is the equivalent of Level 5+ and for Year 10 it is Level 6 on the NLLIA ESL Band scales.
Students may also be asked to provide work samples from a previous school as evidence of their ability in a given area of study.
- Code of Conduct: Students must demonstrate acceptable attendance, behaviour, effort, and attitude in keeping with the Christian ethos of the College. Our Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour expected of all students.
- Hours of Tuition: Hours of tuition from 8:40am to 3:10pm Monday to Friday during term times.
- School Terms: There are four terms per year, each of approximately ten weeks, with two-week holiday periods between terms. The long summer holiday of approximately six weeks occurs during December and January.
- Attendance: Students must attend classes for 100% of College time unless they have a medical certificate or a letter from their parent or homestay parent advising that there is good reason for the student to be absent. If a student is absent without permission his or her enrolment at the College is at risk.
- Monitoring of Results: Students in mainstream school programs at Rehoboth Christian College receive a full college report at the end of each semester. It is expected that students will maintain an academic standard that is appropriate to their ability, or their enrolment at the College may be at risk.
- Student Visa: The Secondary course is available to holders of appropriate student visas.
International students entering the secondary course must have completed the equivalent prior year level in their home country or within Australia (e.g. for a student to enter Year 10, they must have completed the equivalent of Year 9).
For course content, teaching methods, and assessment please see:
Conditions of Enrolment #
When a student application for enrolment has been accepted by Rehoboth, parents must agree to conditions similar to the following:
To be responsible for and to pay all fees and expenses incurred in accordance with the terms set forth in this Handbook and acknowledge personal liability, punctually as they fall due.
Families are required to provide one term’s notice before the removal of the student from the course in which they are enrolled, or to pay one term’s fees in lieu of notice. In order to be valid and binding such notice will be in writing duly signed and delivered to the Finance Manager at the Business Office. Note that there are restrictions on transferring between schools during the first six months of attendance.
Where it becomes clear that a student is unlikely to complete a course of study within the expected period of enrolment, the College may in certain limited circumstances extend the duration of a student’s study period. This extension will result in the requirement for an amended COE.
Circumstances that are contemplated as likely to give rise to such adjustment are:
- illness supported by medical evidence
- personal circumstances that merit an intervention on compassionate grounds
- where the College is unable to offer a particular prerequisite unit
- where interventions have been put into place in order to support students at academic risk
- other approved deferment or suspension of studies.
Students are not permitted to be absent without a leave of absence being granted by the College. The term dates as advertised by the College will be strictly adhered to. Students absent from the College without permission will forfeit any credit for assessments missed during their absence, and this may place their enrolment in jeopardy. It is understood that students may require to be absent owing to illness or other unforeseen and genuine circumstances.
College Administration Assistants are to be advised before 9:00am on any day of absence and a note of explanation given on the student’s return to College.
If a student’s attendance falls below 80% the College is obligated to report the student to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection using PRISMS which will place the ongoing validity of their Visa at risk.
Students must fully support the Biblical concepts as set forth in this manual and set forth in the Code of Conduct and applicable policies (subject to amendment by the Principal and the faculty of the College).
Within the scope of our Discipline (Foundational Understandings) Policy and International Students (Discipline) Policy, the Principal has authority to apply whatever disciplinary measure is deemed necessary in relation to the conduct of the student both inside and outside the College precincts or to require the removal of the student, for any cause judged by the Principal to be sufficient. Implications for the ongoing viability of a student’s visa (and therefore for their ability to remain in Australia) may occur if a student is suspended or excluded. The College will continue to provide the appropriate schoolwork until the appeal process has been concluded.
In the event of any medical or other emergency arising in which the College considers it impossible or impracticable to communicate with the parents of the student or any other nominated contact, parents authorise staff responsible to act as they may think necessary or expedient.
Parents must inform the Principal if there is a change in their relationship with each other after signing the Enrolment Form (e.g. divorce or separation). Unless otherwise directed, the Principal will require that a new Conditions of Enrolment Agreement be completed by the person who is to assume the obligation of paying College fees. All information given to the Principal will be treated in the strictest confidence.
In accordance with ESOS legislation students are required to advise the College of any change in address and contact details within seven days of any change. Failure to notify the College will jeopardise the student’s visa.
In accordance with ESOS legislation students are required to maintain satisfactory course progress in their academic studies.
Satisfactory course progress is defined as the passing of more than 50% of the student’s subjects in each study period. A study period is defined as one semester (consisting of two terms).
Students can expect to be fully supported towards this aim, with academic progress being reported regularly during the year; however, it should be noted that failure to achieve satisfactory course progress may lead to a breach of the student’s visa conditions.
Parents of Kindy to Year 6 students must arrange accommodation for the student independently of the College. This arrangement is with a parent or family members who are resident in the state of Western Australia and who are not international students themselves.
Parents of Year 7-12 students must arrange accommodation for the student independently of the College. This arrangement is with family or friends who are over 18 years of age, resident in the state of Western Australia, and who are not international students themselves.
Or
Parents are satisfied with the homestay arrangements made by the College for the student.
The College requires prepayment of a semester’s fees in advance. Only then is a Confirmation of Enrolment form (COE) issued. This is needed to apply for a student visa. See the table below for our refund schedule:
Reason for Refund | Notification Period | Refund |
Students application for a student visa is unsuccessful |
Before semester commences |
Full refund less $200 administration charge.
|
Student visa withdrawn |
More than 10 weeks before commences |
Full refund less $200 administration charge.
|
4-10 weeks before semester commences | 70% of a semester’s fees less $200 administration charge.
| |
4 weeks or less before semester commences | 40% of a semester’s fees less $200 administration charge.
| |
After the semester has commences and during the first 4 weeks | 30% of a semester’s fee less $200 administration charge.
| |
After 4 weeks | No refund is given.
| |
Provider withdraws offer, fails to provide program offered, or terminates an education service
|
Before or after semester commences |
Full refund is given under ESOS Act 2000. |
Provider withdraws a student from an education service because the student has seriously breached international student visa conditions or provider’s rules |
After semester commences |
No refund of the semester’s fees is offered. If the student has paid for a subsequent semester in advance, no less than 40% of fees charged for the subsequent semester may be refunded. Applies to two semesters only. If more than two semesters have been paid, the third and following semester fees are refunded.
|
Overseas Students Policy Program #
The following College policies apply to overseas students and their families:
- Child Safe Framework
- Student Code of Conduct
- Discipline (Foundational Understandings) Policy
- Discipline (Students) Policy
- Overseas Students Summary Policy
- Complaints Handling Program
- Complaints (Provisions for Overseas Students) Policy
- Deferments, Suspensions, or Cancellations Policy
- Home Stay Arrangements Policy
- Refunds of Overseas Student Fees Policy
- Support for Overseas Students Policy
- Transfer Between Schools Policy