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Information for Students

Registered Courses

The Southport School is registered in the State of Queensland as a provder in accordance with Section 9 of the Education (Overseas Students) Act 1996 and Section 3 of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act of 2000. The School is a Commonwealth Registered Institute for Overseas Students and the CRICOS Provider Code number is 00523F.

Registered Courses are:

  • Primary (Years 1-7)
  • Secondary (Years 8, 9 & 10)
  • Secondary Senior (Years 11 & 12)

Each year level course takes place over the duration of a calendar year. The academic year begins in later January and concludes in late November/early December. The academic year normally comprises 38 weeks of tuition into four terms:

  • Term 1 - late January to Easter (2 weeks vacation)
  • Term 2 - Easter to late June (3 weeks vacation)
  • Term 3 - mid July to mid September
  • Term 4 - October to late November / early December followed by 8 weeks vacation.

Please refer to the School Calendar on our website for actual term dates.

Educational Outcomes and Expectations

All subjects and courses offered to overseas students have stated education outcomes
as specified in curriculum documents and individual work programs. The detailed content of courses is available on the School website under http://www.tss.qld.edu.au/academic/academicprogram.asp

Curriculum Handbooks for boys entering Years 8 to 12 are available from the above website address and provide a summary of subjects and courses to assist suitable selections.

To assist overseas students with the selection of suitable subjects and courses the Dean of Studies and English as a Second Language teachers are available for consultation. They are able to help students by assessing their individual needs and matching those needs with the educational outcomes of the available subjects and classes. Every effort is made to ensure overseas students will have a reasonable chance of success in the courses they are undertaking. Contact can be made via email:   

Michael.Turley@tss.qld.edu.au             (Dean of Studies)
Andrew.Berryman@tss.qld.edu.au        (Dept of English as a Second Language)           

31-Jan-2008he point of entry, every effort is made to ensure that overseas students will have a reasonable chance of success in the courses they are undertaking. It is expected that a student should demonstrate continuing progress or achieve a C or above in most subjects.

Throughout the duration of the course, the student must comply with the requirements of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) by maintaining satisfactory academic progress and meet attendance requirements.  Please refer to the Course Progress and Academic Policy.

Fees, Charges and Refund Policy

The current Fee Schedule for Overseas Students together with conditions relating to payment of fees is available via the website under Schedule of Fees.

The Registration Fee:  A registration fee must be paid with each application for enrolment. This is not refundable and does not guarantee a place at The Southport School. Parents must complete and sign the application contract which details the Conditions of Entry and Business Regulations.

The Enrolment Fee:    The enrolment fee is made up of two components. AUD$800 (non-refundable) and AUD$1,500 which is refundable after outstanding fees or charges are applied.

Postponement of Enrolment:  If parents wish to postpone a student’s date of entry, after enrolment has been confirmed, they must give a term’s notice in writing to that effect to the Admissions Office.  The School will give no guarantee of a place for the proposed new date of entry.

Termination of Enrolment:     One term’s notice of removal of a student must be given in writing to the Admissions Office. If a term’s notice is not given, a term’s fees will be charged in lieu of notice. If the School terminates an enrolment, it will do so in line with the School’s Admissions Contract, and will provide the student and his parents with written notice of its intention to cancel the student’s enrolment and notify the student that he has 20 working days to access the school’s complaints and appeals process. If a student does not commence a course and notice is received less than 30 days prior to the commencement no refund will be given.

Tuition and Boarding Fees:    One semester’s tuition is required in advance at the time a student confirms his enrolment. On receipt of these funds the Confirmation of Enrolment required for the visa application will be issued.  Once the student has commenced his course, he must maintain a minimum payment of one semester’s tuition fees in advance. Boarding fees will be billed at the beginning of each semester.

The School provides a range of options for the payment of fees. Apart from cash and cheques, fees may be paid using credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express) or via the internet. The full range of options and methods is explained on your School Fees account.
 
Please click on the links for The School’s Refund Policy and the Deferment, Suspension and Cancellation Policy.

Any default by the School is covered by the provisions of the ESOS Act 2000 and the ESOS Regulations 2001 (as amended).  If for any reasons the School is unable to offer a course, or continue a course already commenced, a full refund of fees paid will be made within 14 days of notification of course cancellation.

This policy does not remove the right to the student to take further action under Australian consumer protection laws. Under the National Code of Practice, Section C 43.2, a person holding a written Agreement with the School should be aware the dispute resolution process does not circumscribe the student’s right to pursue other legal remedies.

Overseas student Health Cover Levy

The Overseas Student Health Cover (OHSC) Levy is required by the Commonwealth Government and is payable prior to commencement at the School. Students must maintain current OSHC for the period covered by their visa. The School currently arranges OSHC on a 12 monthly basis and the levy is added to your son’s School Fee each year. The OHSC Levy paid prior to commencement is not refunded by the School.  The responsibility for seeking any refund from the medical insurance authority lies with the student.   For further information please refer to the website www.ahm.com.au

Uniforms and Textbooks

Uniforms and stationery are available from the TSS Store. The cost of these items is to be borne by the student. Textbooks are available from the Senior School Library and are lent to students for the duration of their course. Students are responsible for the return of these textbooks in good condition. Failure to do so will incur charges for the cost of the textbook. For further information regarding uniforms please refer to our website http://www.tss.qld.edu.au/schoolorgs/thestore.asp or contact our Store on (07) 5531 9823.

Complaints and Appeals Process Policy

Overseas students will be provided with a copy of the School’s Dispute Resolution’s Policy at the following times:

  • Before any contract is entered into or any fees paid
  • Seven days after the commencement of the student’s course as part of an overseas students orientation program

Please click on the links for The School’s Complaints and Appeals Process Policy (Overseas Students) and the Critical Incident Policy.

If a student has a concern of any kind, the following people may be approached, who may refer the student to the person best suited to assist:

    • Head of Boarding – for boarding related issues
    • School Counsellor – for career and personal guidance
    • Chaplain – for concerns of a personal nature
    • Dean of Studies – for concerns about academic progress, subjects or courses.

Under the provisions of Government legislation, students, their parents and guardians are to be made aware that:

  • They may nominate a support person to accompany them at any stage of the dispute resolution process
  • If it is not possible to resolve the dispute internally, via the processes above, the School will arrange for independent mediation to resolve the dispute. Independent mediation is available through the Dispute Resolution Branch, Department of Justice and Attorney-General to look at the possibilities for mediation. The Brisbane Dispute Resolution Centre is located at 13th Floor, Central Courts Building, 170 North Quay, Brisbane Queensland, 4000.
  • If a student is concerned about the actions of the School they may approach the state registration authority for CRICOS in Queensland, the Department of Education, Training and the Arts (DETA). The Director-General of DEST has the power to suspend or cancel the School’s registration or a course if a breach of the requirements of registration provisions is proved. Concerns about the conduct of the School should be addressed to The Senior Education Officer, Office of Non-State Education, Queensland Department of Education, PO Box 15033, City East, Qld 4002. Complaints must be made in writing.
  • These dispute resolution processes do not circumscribe the student’s right to pursue other legal remedies under Australian law.
  • Nothing in the School’s Dispute Resolution Policy negates the right of any overseas student to take action under Australia’s consumer protection laws in the case of financial disputes.
  • As a registered provider of courses for overseas students, the School is bound by the Code of Ethics developed by the Ministerial Council on Education, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA). Copies of the Code of Ethics are available upon request from the School or from the Queensland Education Overseas Unit.

Financial Administration

The Southport School is subject to auditioning under the requirements of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977. The School will therefore keep all necessary records that would allow the auditor to be satisfied about the sources of all amounts received for providing courses to overseas students and the ways in which the amounts were spent. The information provided by the student at the time of the application to the School may be made available to Commonwealth and State agencies and the Fund Manager of the ESOS Assurance Fund.

Code of Ethics

As a registered provider of courses for overseas students, the School is bound by the Code of Ethics developed by the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MYCETYA).  Copies of the Code of Ethics are available on request from the School or from the Queensland Education Overseas Unit.

 

Page last modified 06-Dec-2007