enrolment

Parents are the first educators of their children and have the obligation and the right to ensure an adequate education, consistent with their beliefs and values.

Once a child becomes a member of the Catholic Church through Baptism, the parents and the Church have a commitment towards its new member. One of the obligations is to give the child the opportunity to be educated as a Catholic. Traditionally in Australia, the majority of baptized children have been given this formation through Catholic schooling. In this way, the Church exercises its commitment and responsibility.

"Catholic education is based on an educational philosophy in which faith, culture and life are brought into harmony. Of its nature, the Catholic school guides men and women to achieve human and Christian perfection and helps them to become mature in their faith."1. Thus the Catholic school is not simply an alternative to a Government school. It is different because it is Catholic: it must offer the authentic Catholic vision. "A Catholic school cannot relinquish its own freedom to proclaim the Gospel and to offer a formation based on the values to be found in a Christian education. This is its right and its duty."2. It is to be expected that Catholic schools implement enrolment policies that ensure a high proportion of Catholic students in the school, non-Catholic enrolments being within the limits approved by the Archbishop."

1. Paragraph 34 Religious Dimension in a Catholic School: Guidelines for Reflection and Renewal: Congregation for Catholic Education: Rome, 1988.

2. Paragraph 6 IBID.

Enrolment of Catholic Students in the Parish Catholic Schools

1.1 Priority of Access to our Parish Catholic Schools is given to Catholic Students provided that there are places available.

1.2 A normal criterion for enrolment of a Catholic student in our Parish Schools is that the student is a resident of the Parish. The enrolment catchment area for each of the Parish Schools is defined and applicable.

1.3 Each child seeking access to the school, regardless of whether any other members of the family attend the school, needs to apply through the normal application process.

1.4 Catholic children will not be deprived of a Catholic Education on the grounds that their parents do not, at that time, conform to traditional practices. Parents however, should be aware that they have an obligation to assist their child in faith development.

1.5 The ability of parents to pay school fees is not used as a criterion for enrolling Catholic students in either of our Catholic Schools. However, it is a matter of justice to the Parish Community that fees are met where possible.

1.6 Enrolment is open to all Catholic students with respect to the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria guidelines for provision for students with special needs and with reference to each school's Welfare Policy.

1.7 Catholic children from Eastern Rites are welcome on the same basis as Catholic children from the Roman Rite. In all cases, Religious traditions will be respected.

1.8 Parents need to be aware that acceptance at one Catholic School does not mean automatic acceptance at another Catholic Primary or Secondary School.

Enrolment of Non Catholic Students In our Catholic Primary Schools

Non Catholic students will be accepted in our Parish Catholic Schools on the following basis:

2.1 That there are places available and Catholic students will not be excluded due to the inclusion of Non Catholic students.

2.2 That the number of Non Catholic students in each respective school is within the limits approved by the Archbishop.

2.3 A normal criterion for enrolment of a Catholic student in our Parish Schools is that the student is a resident of the Parish. The enrolment catchment area for each of the Parish Schools is defined and applicable. This criteria is also applicable to non-catholic applicants.

2.4 That parents, applying for enrolment of Non Catholic students, are aware of the nature of the school and undertake that the culture, life and identity of the Catholic School will be respected.

2.5 Parents need to be aware that acceptance at one Catholic School does not mean automatic acceptance at another Catholic Primary or Secondary School.

2.6 Enrolment is open to all students with respect to the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria guidelines for provision for students with special needs and with reference to each school's Welfare Policy.

2.7 The ability of parents to pay school fees is not used as a criterion for enrolling students in either of our Catholic Schools. However, it is a matter of justice to the Parish Community that fees are met where possible.

Conditions of Enrolment

1. Enrolment at either of the Parish schools is not automatic, but is subject to the above criteria, to the availability of places and to the discretion of the Parish Priest, in consultation with the respective School Principal.

2. In the process of enrolment, parents are asked to disclose relevant information by completing the Enrolment Application Form. Failure to disclose accurate information concerning your child may negate enrolment, or continuance of enrolment.

3. Generally once a child is enrolled at one of the Parish Schools, and considering all relevant circumstances, students can expect to complete their education at that school.

4. In all cases of enrolment there is an expectation for parents to support the school, observe expectations, commitment to the payment of fees and assist the school through the avenues open to parents.

5. If families experience financial difficulties that prevent payment of fees, the Principal should be contacted in order to come to some suitable arrangement.

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