Department of Education Services Non-government schools. A guide for parents. Non-government schools in Western Australia

Transcription

1 Department of Education Services Non-government schools A guide for parents Non-government schools in Western Australia 2014 Copies of this document can be made available in alternative formats on request. Department of Education Services 22 Hasler Road OSBORNE PARK WA 6017 PO Box 1766 OSBORNE PARK WA 6916 Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) ngs@des.wa.gov.au Website:

2 Contents Contents... 1 Western Australian schooling... 2 Non-government schools... 3 Quality assurance... 3 Government funding... 4 Selecting a school... 4 The checklist... 5 Academic performance... 5 School location... 5 Level of education... 6 Co-educational or single sex... 6 School size... 6 Religious affiliation... 7 Educational philosophy... 7 Curriculum and educational program... 7 Special education... 9 Boarding... 9 Overseas students Temporary residents Fees Scholarships and other financial assistance State Government allowances Enrolment More information Term dates School governance and parent participation Parents and Friends Federation of WA (Inc) Complaints and disputes Schools catering only for pre-compulsory education Home education Other sources of information and advice A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 1

3 The following lists of non-government schools are available on the Department of Education Services website at Active non-government schools by school name Active non-government schools by education region Active non-government schools by religious affiliation Active boarding non-government schools by school name The information provided on each school includes the name of the school, its address, telephone and facsimile numbers, and internet addresses (where available), the name of the school principal, the school s religious affiliation (if any), the education region in which the school is located, the year levels of education provided, whether the school is co-educational or single-sex and whether it provides boarding facilities for students. Western Australian schooling In Western Australia, the education system is divided into two stages: Pre-compulsory (Pre-Kindergarten - Kindergarten) Compulsory (Pre-Primary - Year 12) The Western Australian Government places a strong emphasis on ensuring all Western Australian children have the best possible start to their education. Pre-compulsory early childhood education programs are provided at many non-government primary schools for three to five year old children. Kindergarten programs are provided at all government primary schools. Pre-Kindergarten education, where offered, commences at the beginning of the year for children who have attained the age of three and will not turn four on or before 30 June in the year of Pre-Kindergarten enrolment. These students do not qualify for State Government funding. Kindergarten education commences at the beginning of the year for children who reach the age of four on or before 30 June. Compulsory Pre-Primary education commences at the beginning of the year for children who reach the age of five on or before 30 June. There is a legal imperative for children to be enrolled in school when they reach the age for compulsory schooling. Where parents or guardians are of the opinion that their child is not able or ready to attend Pre- Primary, the child must still be enrolled. Once this legal obligation is fulfilled, the principal of the school can make a decision regarding the best interests of the child and will determine what extra support may be needed or whether the child should remain in Kindergarten for another year. Parents can assist schools by providing medical and other information where applicable. Similarly, parents or guardians who want their child to be accelerated should still enrol their child in Kindergarten and Pre-Primary when the child is the correct age for that year. It is for the principal to decide what is in the best interests of the child considering a wide range of factors including the disadvantages of being a year younger than their classmates for the whole of their school life. Parents should note that there are funding implications for schools if children are enrolled for kindergarten and pre-primary before they meet the age requirements for those years. A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 2

4 Non-government schools The non-government school sector includes independent schools and systemic schools. Independent schools are private organisations, the majority of which are incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1987 and are self-administered. Systemic schools are groups of schools administered centrally by a church or religious body, such as the Anglican Church, Catholic Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church, or Swan Christian Education Association. The Catholic school system is the largest group of systemic schools. In August 2013, 34.1 per cent or 143,189 of the State s Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary students were enrolled in 310 non-government schools. Quality assurance All of the non-government schools in the lists available on department s website at are registered under the School Education Act Each registered school is inspected on behalf of the Minister for Education to ensure the requirements for registration are satisfied. A school is registered when it satisfies minimum standards in the following areas: Governance and accountability Student learning Curriculum Level of care Financial management Staff and management Physical environment Enrolment and attendance Number of students Time for instruction Complaints management Legal compliance By registering a school the State Government assures that a school has the capacity to achieve acceptable educational outcomes for students. A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 3

5 Government funding All registered non-government schools qualify for funding from the State and Australian Governments. Funding is available only to schools that operate as not-for-profit institutions. The amount of government funding received generally determines the level of fees charged by a school. Annual (recurrent) funding is based on a percentage of the cost of educating a student in a government school. The amount of government funding each school receives is calculated on the number of students enrolled. The State and Australian Governments have separate per capita funding rates for Primary (including Pre- Primary) and Secondary students. The State also provides per capita funding for Kindergarten students enrolled in registered Kindergartens at non-government schools (excluding Kindergarten students younger than the official entry age). State per capita funding rates also vary according to a school s funding category and all schools are classified into one of nine State funding categories. Australian Government per capita funding rates for non-government schools are based on variable percentages of the national cost of educating a student in a government school. The percentages are determined from each school s socio-economic status index, which is calculated from information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census. Many non-government schools also receive Australian Government capital grants and the State Government provides low interest loans to assist in constructing or upgrading school buildings. Selecting a school To satisfy inquiries about the choice of a non-government school, a checklist of factors that many parents regard as important is provided on the following pages. For more detailed information, parents should make contact with the schools in which they are interested. School prospectuses, handbooks and websites are useful sources of additional information. A school visit and an interview with the school principal or other senior member of the school staff may also be helpful. When choosing a school, parents need to ensure that it would meet the needs, interests and well-being of their child, in a context that accords with the family s values and parents wishes. References (in italics) in the checklist relate to information in the lists of schools available on the department s website at A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 4

6 The checklist Academic performance Some of the most frequently asked questions are about the academic standards and performance of nongovernment schools. Other questions often relate to the adequacy of the curriculum, facilities and teachers. There is no straightforward answer to questions about comparative academic standards and performance of schools due to the complexity of the learning process. Significant social, cultural, economic and other factors, including the learning environment provided by a school, interact to influence an individual student s performance. All Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 9 students in non-government schools participate in national assessments of literacy and numeracy (E.g. the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)). Parents are provided with information on their child s performance in relation to NAPLAN benchmarks and the State aggregates, and this information is available through each school and via the My School website at Information about a non-government school s academic standards and performance can now be obtained by asking the school directly or visiting the My School website at hwww.myschool.edu.au/ Most schools will consider a variety of different measures as indicators of their performance. It is a requirement of the Australian Government that all schools make certain information accessible to parents, either in published documents, on websites, or by other means, in a school Annual Report. School location The location of a suitable non-government school close to a student s residence is often the first information that parents seek. The school lists available on the Department of Education Services website at provide the address, telephone and facsimile numbers for each school, and and website information where available. A list is also available showing the schools grouped by education region. This list helps parents to identify all the non-government schools located nearest to their place of residence. A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 5

7 Level of education Non-government schools provide education in one or more of the stages of schooling indicated above. Check the columns in the lists marked Lo Yr and Hi Yr for the stages and year levels covered. The following abbreviations are used for the Year levels and stages of schooling: PK Pre-Kindergarten K Kindergarten PP Pre-Primary 1 Year 1 Primary 2 Year 2 Primary 3 Year 3 Primary 4 Year 4 Primary 5 Year 5 Primary 6 Year 6 Primary 7 Year 7 Primary or Secondary 8 Year 8 Secondary 9 Year 9 Secondary 10 Year 10 Secondary 11 Year 11 Secondary 12 Year 12 Secondary Co-educational or single sex The majority of non-government schools are co-educational. Many long established non-government schools operate as girls only or boys only schools. A small number of these schools also offer co-educational Kindergarten/Pre-Primary and/or Primary education. Check the column in the lists marked Sex. The following abbreviations are used to identify schools that operate as girls only, boys only or co-educational. C F M co-educational girls only boys only School size Non-government schools, like government schools, vary considerably in their size. They range from large combined primary-secondary schools in the Perth Metropolitan area with enrolments exceeding 2,500 students through to small independent primary schools with fewer than 20 students. Some statistical information about a non-government school s enrolments may be obtained from the Department of Education Services. Alternatively, information may be obtained from the school directly. A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 6

8 Religious affiliation Eleven major religious affiliations are represented in Western Australian non-government schools. They are: Anglican Baptist Catholic Church of Christ Free Reformed Greek Orthodox Islamic Jewish Lutheran Seventh-day Adventist Uniting Church The majority of religious schools are Catholic schools. There is also a significant number of non-denominational Christian schools. The religious content in religious schools varies between religions and between schools. Parents should be aware of the schools level of commitment to a religious ethos as part of their decision making process. About 20 per cent of non-government schools have no religious affiliation. Check the column in the lists marked Religion. Information about a non-government school s religious ethos and how it is incorporated into educational programs and activities should be obtained from the school directly Educational philosophy Most non-government schools operate on conventional or mainstream principles of teaching and learning. However, some non-government schools are established on the basis of specific learning philosophies and teaching methods. Some of these schools are variously described as alternative, community or family schools and include those that provide, for example, education based on Maria Montessori or Rudolph Steiner philosophies. These schools are included with the schools listed without a religious affiliation and are identified by the category None under the Religion column. Specific Montessori or Steiner schools can generally be identified from the name of the school. Information about a non-government school s specific learning philosophy and teaching methods should be obtained from the school directly. Curriculum and educational program It is the responsibility of all schools to implement teaching and learning programs and enriching experiences that meet the learning needs of all students and the curriculum requirements described by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and approved for Western Australian schools. Schools need to ensure that they provide all students with a planned and structured curriculum to improve their learning and equip them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, active and informed citizens (Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians, 2008). A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 7

9 School Curriculum must address all eight learning areas: English Mathematics Science (including Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, Physical Sciences) Humanities and Social Sciences (including Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography, History) The Arts (including Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music, Visual Arts) Languages Health and Physical Education Technologies (including Design and Technology, Digital Technologies). At the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten stage, the education programs provided are appropriate for the ages and developmental stages of young children. These programs link to the primary school curriculum. All schools are required to begin implementing the Australian Curriculum from Foundation (Pre-Primary) to Year 10. This move to a national curriculum will help ensure consistency in what is taught and what should be achieved at each year level. Under the national curriculum a non-government school may, however, implement a recognised alternative curriculum according to the specific religious affiliation and/or educational philosophy of the school e.g. Montessori, Steiner, International Baccalaureate. Most non-government schools with Year 11 and Year 12 students offer a range of courses accredited by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. The Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) is awarded to senior secondary school students who satisfy its requirements. The WACE is a senior secondary certificate recognised nationally in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Generally, students complete two years of senior secondary study to achieve the WACE. The WACE is recognised by universities, other tertiary institutions, industry and other training providers. Achievement of a WACE signifies that a student has successfully met the breadth and depth requirements, and the achievement standard, of their courses of study and demonstrated their English language competence. Vocational education and training (VET) in schools engages students in work-related learning built on strategic partnerships between schools, registered training organisations, business, industry and the wider community. VET can be undertaken as part of the WACE. Completion of VET provides students with credit towards a nationally recognised vocational qualification within the AQF. A broad range of post-school vocational options and pathways are available through the study of VET. A WACE may also be awarded to a student based on their full-time participation and completion of a recognised non-school education or training course (including traineeships and apprenticeships), or if they are employed full-time, as an alternative to school attendance in Years 11 and 12, or based on their participation and completion of a combination of these options (which can include part-time attendance at school) provided their overall participation is full-time. These flexibilities were introduced to the Western Australian education system in 2006 when the school leaving age was raised. Information about subjects, courses of study, sports and extra-curricular activities offered by a non-government school should be obtained from the school directly. A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 8

10 Special education Some non-government schools provide special education services to support students who require specific educational arrangements due to their intellectual, physical and/or social-emotional disability. Depending on the specific needs of the students, individual and small group assistance may be provided by trained special education staff at some schools, while at others, students are integrated into regular classes but may also receive specialised assistance for their needs at particular times. Telethon Speech & Hearing Centre for Children provides on-site education for Kindergarten and Pre-Primary students who are hearing impaired. Primary and Secondary students with a hearing impairment are enrolled through the school but attend other nearby non-government schools where specialist staff are provided by the school. Boarding Information about special education services at Catholic non-government schools may be obtained from: Catholic Education Office of Western Australia Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) Information about special education services at independent non-government schools may be obtained from: Special Education Consultant, Association of Independent Schools of WA (Inc) Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) Most non-government schools are day schools, but some take boarders from about 11 years of age. Boarding facilities assist parents living in rural, remote and overseas areas to provide their children with access to schooling that may not otherwise be available. Some parents also value boarding for the opportunities it gives a child to develop independence and to live in a wider community with other children from a variety of backgrounds. Boarding fees are charged by a non-government school in addition to the fees for tuition. Non-government schools with student boarding facilities are identified by the column in the lists marked Boarding and in the separate list, Active boarding non-government schools by school name. The year levels of students accepted as boarders by a non-government school are shown in the column. Information about vacancies, waiting lists and boarding fees at a non-government school should be obtained from the school directly A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 9

11 Overseas students Overseas students on a student visa (visa class 571) can only enrol at a school that has a Commonwealth Registration of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) code and that is registered under the Education Service Providers (Full-Fee Overseas Students) Registration Act Acceptance into one of these schools must be arranged prior to arriving in Western Australia. To find a CRICOS registered school, parents should refer to the following websites: Study Perth Australia: Australian Government, Department of Education: Students are charged a full-fee because overseas students costs to a school are not subsidised by government funding. Non-government schools enrolling such students must not claim government funding for that category of student. Students may be required to show their proficiency in English to enrol at a school. This helps ensure the intended education outcome can be achieved. Each individual school will determine what level of proficiency in English is required and will inform students as part of the pre-enrolment process. Health cover for the student is mandatory for the duration of the stay in Australia. Dependents (children under 18 years of age) of holders of other visa classes may be able to enrol at government schools at a discounted international tuition rate. It should be noted that these students are not required to hold a visa sub-class 571 to be eligible to enrol in a Western Australian school. For a list of visa classes and other related information, parents should refer to the following websites: Department of Education: Education and Training International: There are also private full-fee colleges that provide a range of education services primarily for overseas students holding a visa sub-class 571. Each college is registered as a non-government school for the education programs that are provided. Information about the specific education services provided, categories of overseas students permitted to be enrolled, and fees for full-fee overseas students at a nongovernment school or full fee college should be obtained from the school or college directly. Temporary residents Overseas students whose parents have been issued a visa by the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection in one of the specified classes of temporary resident visa (usually visa classes 303, , , 442, 445, 457, 820, 826, 850, 890 or 995 and New Zealand citizens) and who can prove they are paying tax in Australia, may have the full fee condition waived. These students will be charged the usual school fee and the school will claim government funding for that category of student. Note: Some schools do require an international student who gains a permanent residence (PR) status to pay full fees for the year, as they would have missed funding for that year. Information about the enrolment in a non-government school of overseas students whose parents meet the Temporary Resident and Taxation requirements should be obtained from the school directly. A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 10

12 Fees School tuition fees vary widely among non-government schools. The fees charged by a school are influenced by the amount of State and Australian Government funding it receives. The majority of non-government schools are low fee schools and include the Aboriginal independent community schools, most of the Catholic schools, Anglican community schools, and some non-denominational Christian schools. There are comparatively few high fee schools, but included in this category are the longer established independent non-government schools. Annual tuition fees in 2013 ranged from an average of about $1,000 in Catholic primary schools to an average of about $4,000 for low fee independent schools and up to over $20,000 for some Year 12 high fee independent secondary schools. Fees for primary education are usually less than fees for secondary education. In addition to the tuition fee, schools may levy an amount towards an endowment fund and/or a school building fund, and at boarding schools a boarding fee is charged. Information about fees and levies at a non-government school are available from the school directly. Scholarships and other financial assistance Some schools may provide a fee remission or fee reduction under specific circumstances and offer scholarships that provide for full or partial payment of school fees. Entrance scholarships and special subject scholarships to some of the independent non- government schools are usually advertised by those schools in the Saturday edition of The West Australian newspaper early in the year for places available in the following year. Information may also be available on the schools website. Information about fee reductions, entrance and special subject scholarships available at a non-government school, and school fee funding plans, should be obtained from the school directly. Non-government schools may encourage parents to plan, financially, for their child s education and several commercially based school fee funding plans are available that allow parents to accumulate the necessary funds. General scholarships are also provided to secondary students at government and non-government schools by various public and private organisations, foundations and local government authorities. Information about these scholarships is available from the Department of Education website at Information about the range of general scholarships available, conditions for eligibility, benefits and closing dates may be obtained directly from any government or nongovernment secondary school. A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 11

13 State Government allowances The State Government provides the following financial assistance for students at government and nongovernment schools when eligibility conditions are satisfied. Boarding Away from Home Allowance The Western Australian Department of Education makes available a student Boarding Away from Home Allowance each year to families and children enrolled in a Western Australian primary or secondary school (Kindergarten to Year 12). The allowance for 2014 is $2,105 (subject to parental income and actual boarding costs) for students who board away for the full year. Students eligible are those who reside in Western Australia and have qualified for the Commonwealth Government Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) or Second Home Allowance (which is available from the Department of Human Services (Centrelink)). More information about the AIC can be obtained by telephoning the Department of Human Services (Centrelink) on Secondary Assistance Scheme The State Government, through the Department of Education, provides financial support to eligible parents through the Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS). The aim of this scheme is to assist low income families with secondary schooling costs. A Parent/Guardian may apply for the Secondary Assistance Scheme if he or she holds a Centrelink Family Heath Care Card, Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card, or a Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card (blue card only). Application is made by the parent or guardian for students enrolled in Years 8 12 studying a full-time secondary course at a Western Australian school. Government Schools: $115 Clothing Allowance paid directly to the parent/guardian or the school. $235 Education Program Allowance paid directly to the school. Non-Government Schools: $115 Clothing Allowance paid directly to the parent/guardian. $235 Education Program Allowance paid directly to the school. Enrolment Further information about State Government student allowances can be obtained from the Department of Education. Contact details are as follows: Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) student.allowances@education.wa.edu.au Enrolment in a non-government school is normally made by application to the school. An enrolment may be accepted subject to there being a vacancy, agreement on payment of fees and any other requirements being met. At some schools, enrolment preference may be given to a student whose family is a member of the relevant church or religious body or is a sibling has attended the school, particularly if the school has limited vacancies. Many parents aim to secure a place for their child at the school of their choice by making an early booking or enrolment application. Most non-government schools accept enrolments into any Year level that is offered subject to the availability of vacancies. However, several schools recommend particular points of entry to the school. For example, common points of entry are Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten, Pre-primary and Year 8 (or Year 7 if the school commences secondary schooling in Year 7). Information about enrolment procedures at a non-government school including waiting lists, booking fees, whether membership of a church or religious body is required, and any other specific requirements, should be obtained from the school directly. A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 12

14 Semester 1 Semester 2 More information Other factors that may be important in influencing a parent s or student s choice of a non-government school include: Academic, sporting and other achievements of the school Class sizes Discipline policy Homework policy Parent involvement Pastoral care arrangements Provision for academically gifted and talented students Provision for students with learning difficulties or other special needs Reporting to parents School uniform Teaching staff Year level placement policy Information on these and any other aspects of a non-government school should be obtained from the school directly. Term dates The Western Australian school year is divided into four terms with Terms 1 and 2 forming Semester 1 and Terms 3 and 4 forming Semester 2. The term dates vary slightly from year to year. The term dates provided are for government schools. These dates should be taken as a guide only to the dates in non-government schools. Students are expected to attend for approximately the same number of hours over the school year as students in government schools. Information about a non-government school s term dates and school holidays should be obtained from the school directly Term 1 3 February 11 April 2 February 2 April 1 February 8 April Term 2 28 April 4 July 20 April 3 July 26 April 1 July Term 3 21 July 26 September 20 July 25 September 18 July 23 September Term 4 13 October 18 December 12 October 17 December 10 October 15 December A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 13

15 School governance and parent participation All schools value and encourage parental involvement in their children s education through a variety of means. The formal and informal structures for parental participation vary from school to school and with the size of the school, the need for volunteer resources, or because of the school s educational philosophy. Independent schools are generally incorporated as not-for-profit associations under the Associations Incorporation Act They are governed by an overarching board of governors, school board or school council that operates according to a constitution and/or set of rules. The constitution usually outlines the composition and processes of nomination or election of the members of the governing body. Most governing bodies are broadly representative of parents, the general community, the sponsoring church or religious body, if relevant, and usually include persons with expertise in education, management, law and/or finance. The governing body determines the overall policy and direction of the school, including its financial operation, and delegates authority to the school principal to implement and manage the school on a day to day basis. Systemic schools, although administered centrally by a church or religious body that determines the overall education policy for the member schools, also have local school boards or school councils with similar roles and responsibilities to those outlined above. In addition to membership of a school s governing body, parents may be actively involved in the school s parents association (usually known in the non-government school sector as the Parents and Friends Association). These associations are usually incorporated bodies that operate with a constitution. General membership is open to all parents of children attending the school. The role of parents associations may vary from school to school. It may include providing opinion and advice on aspects of the school s policies and the welfare of students; provision of services such as a school canteen, uniform shop, etc; providing volunteer services to the school; and in fund raising for the school. Contributions by individual parents to the educational program is frequently encouraged, particularly in the lower education levels, for example, through rostered help in kindergarten/pre-primary activities, assisting teachers by hearing children read, undertaking library duties, providing input to lessons on relevant and interesting topics in the parent s field of career expertise or interest, etc. Parents and Friends Federation of WA (Inc) Parents and Friends Associations at individual Catholic schools are affiliated with the Parents and Friends Federation of WA (Inc), a State level organisation that officially represents parents of children enrolled at Catholic schools. Its contact address is included under the section Other Sources of Information and Advice. The Parents and Friends Federation of WA (Inc) is an affiliated organisation of the Australian Parents Council Inc, a national body for parents of children attending non-government schools. Currently, there is no State level organisation equivalent to the Parents and Friends Federation representing parents of children attending non-catholic schools. Information about a non-government school s parents association should be obtained directly from the school. A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 14

16 Complaints and disputes Experience shows that most complaints can usually be resolved easily by a school through open and effective communication. The State Government does not usually become involved in resolving complaints about operational matters in non-government schools. All registered non-government schools are required to have an effective disputes and complaints resolution policy. However, circumstances that do require Government intervention occur when a formal written complaint is received and/or when there is sufficient cause to believe that a non-government school is unable to maintain the minimum conditions necessary for registration. A formal written complaint is fully investigated and appropriate action is taken if the complaint is substantiated. Following a formal agreement between the Minister for Education and the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia, complaints about a Catholic school received by the Government will be directed in the first instance to the school s central administering body, the Catholic Education Office, for investigation. Parents and members of the community with a complaint about a non-government school are advised in the first instance to contact the school principal to seek a resolution of the complaint. In some cases it may be appropriate for the complaint to be directed to the school s governing body, and/or in the case of systemic schools, to the relevant central administering body, for further action. If the complaint is unable to be resolved satisfactorily through the internal process, it may then be referred to the school s predefined external complaints body. Advice about resolution of a complaint may also be obtained from a relevant nongovernment school organisation listed under section Other sources of information and advice of this document. In cases where an international student has a complaint, the student/student family must follow the school s international resolution process. The department also provides the services of an International Conciliator, free of charge to assist on request. A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 15

17 Schools catering only for pre-compulsory education There is a small number of registered schools that provide education at the Pre-Kindergarten and/or Kindergarten level/s only. These were formerly referred to as independent kindergartens or independent pre-schools. Each registered school of this type has been inspected on behalf of the Minister for Education and found to meet the minimum requirements for registration. The schools are registered under the School Education Act Several of the schools are owned and operated privately for profit, while others are not-for-profit organisations that are managed by parent committees. These schools can be identified in the active non-government schools by school name list available to download on the department s website by checking the Lo Yr and Hi Yr columns. Further information about the education services provided and fees charged should be obtained from the school directly. Home education Some parents who inquire about non-government schooling as an alternative to government schooling also inquire about educating their children at home. Parents or others qualifying as home educators are required to be registered under the terms and conditions of the School Education Act A child cannot be authorised to undertake home education and be formally enrolled full-time or part-time at the same time at a government or non-government school. However some non-government schools may provide valuable socialisation experiences and informal support to home education students. As nongovernment schools are ineligible for Australian or State Government funding for any such home education students, they may charge the students parents a fee for the services they provide. Responsibility for approving a home education program rests with the Deputy Director General (Schools) of the Department of Education through the Regional Executive Director of the particular region, following inspection of the program. Information, advice and applications for home tuition should be directed to the Home Education Moderator at the relevant Education Regional Office. Telephone numbers for each office can be found on the Department of Education website at or listed under the Department of Education entry in the White Pages Telephone Directories. A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 16

18 Other sources of information and advice The Anglican Schools Commission (Inc) PO Box 2520 MT CLAREMONT WA Wollaston Road MT CLAREMONT WA 6010 Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) info@asc.wa.edu.au Website: (The Reverend Peter Laurence, Chief Executive Officer) Department of Education Central Office: 151 Royal Street EAST PERTH WA 6004 Telephone: (08) Website: (Ms Sharyn O Neill, Director General) Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia INC PO Box 1817 OSBORNE PARK DC WA /41 Walters Drive OSBORNE PARK WA 6017 Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) reception@ais.wa.edu.au Website: (Ms Valerie Gould, Executive Director) Free Reformed School Association Inc C/- John Calvin Christian College PO Box 474 ARMADALE WA 6992 Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) admin@frsa.asn.au Website: Catholic Education Office of Western Australia PO Box 198 LEEDERVILLE WA Ruislip Street LEEDERVILLE WA 6007 Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) ceowa@ceo.wa.edu.au Website: (Dr Tim McDonald, Director of Catholic Education in WA) Parents and Friends Federation of WA Inc PO Box 909 INGLEWOOD WA st Floor, 101 Wood Street INGLEWOOD WA 6052 Telephone: (08) execoff@pff.wa.edu.au Website: (Mrs Shelley Hill, Executive Officer) Christian Schools Australia Ltd - WA State Office PO Box 5248 ROCKINGHAM BREACH WA 6969 Gnagara Drive WAIKIKI WA 6169 Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) rdallin@csa.edu.au Website: (Mr Ray Dallin, State Executive Officer) Seventh-Day Adventist Schools (WA) Ltd P O Box 134 GOSNELLS WA Station Street GOSNELLS WA 6110 Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) acswa@adventist.org.au Website: (Mrs Dianne Hillsdon, Education Director) Christian Education National PO Box 1892 PENRITH NSW Mulgoa Road MULGOA NSW 2745 Telephone: (02) Facsimile: (02) cen@cen.edu.au Website: (Mr Ken Dickens, Chief Executive Officer) Swan Christian Education Association Inc P O Box 254 MIDLAND WA Padbury Terrace MIDLAND WA 6056 Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) info@scea.wa.edu.au Website: (The Reverend Stephen Lee, Chief Executive Officer) A Guide For Parents 2014 (2014/01210) Page 17