ENROLMENT POLICY
Catholic Schools exist to educate Catholic children in a Christian environment where, in addition to the provision of a good education, there are opportunities for the expression of the Church’s Pastoral Ministry.
In doing so La Salle Academy
The essential requirement for enrolment at La Salle Academy is that a student and his or her family are prepared to support these principles in practice. There is no entrance examination (except possibly for diagnostic purposes so that any appropriate help may be given) nor any requirement that a student be of exceptional academic ability. While priority must be given to children from families who are actively Catholic, or who have already shown a commitment to Catholic schooling; we welcome families of other religions or denominations, especially when they are committed members of their own church community, and we value their contribution to our growth as a Christian community.
Parents who are thinking of applying for the enrolment of their children at La Salle Academy are invited to consider the following questions:-
4. Can I convey to my child my conviction that a study of religion is an important part of education?
LA SALLE ACADEMY ENROLMENT POLICY
5. Am I able to support the policies of the school? eg. Uniform, Discipline and Student Welfare, the Catholic nature of our school, especially in regard to participation in liturgical activities and retreats.
6. Mindful that the School’s running expenses and funds for capital development come almost entirely from parish funds and school fees, am I prepared to give priority to the regular payment of required fees and levies and negotiate immediately with the Principal where there are difficulties?
Determining preference
Specific preference is given to students attending our two Catholic Primary Schools - St. Patrick’s, Lithgow and St. Joseph’s, Portland where enrolment applications are submitted by the due date.
General applications for enrolment preference will be given to those who can show that they are able in their own way to respond and contribute, to all that La Salle Academy offers as a Catholic school and a Christian community.
ENROLMENT PROCEDURES
A. YEAR 7
1. For students in Year 6 at St. Patrick’s, Lithgow and St. Joseph’s, Portland this Policy and application forms will be made available at their own schools. Parents are asked to read the Policy, complete the application form and to return it to the child’s Principal, who will forward it to La Salle Academy.
It is not essential for parents of students at these schools to seek an enrolment interview with the Principal of La Salle Academy. They are very welcome to do so, and may be invited to an interview if, for example, the Principal of the child’s present school indicates a need for it.
2. For students attending schools other than those mentioned, it is requested that parents first collect and read this Enrolment Policy, complete the Enrolment Application Form, forward it to the Principal of La Salle Academy together with any recommendation and reports, and (after a few days to allow for the application to be processed) to telephone for an interview. It is not necessary for the child to be present for the initial interview, though such an arrangement may be made subsequently.
3. There will be a Year 7 Information Evening for prospective parents in September and an Orientation Day for enrolled Year 6 students in December.
B. YEAR 8-12
Parents are asked to collect and read this Enrolment Policy, complete the Enrolment Application Form, forward it to the Principal at La Salle Academy together with any letters of recommendation and reports, and (after a few days to allow for the application to be processed) to telephone for an interview. The student may attend the interview if convenient; otherwise, a later interview with the student can be arranged.
Please note that for enrolment in Years 11 and 12, a requirement beyond those already indicated, is that the student is able to demonstrate a capacity for coping with senior studies.
We monitor student progress as carefully as possible, providing regular reports to parents in the form both of brief indications of effort and achievement, and of more comprehensive reports following Half-Yearly and Yearly Examinations. Parents are always welcome at the school, and should not hesitate to inquire about their children’s progress at any time, either in person or by telephone. In this regard parents should contact their child’s Year Co-ordinator.
Enrolment Interviews
The enrolment interview serves a number of purposes. It enables parents to meet the Principal, to seek further information about the school which may not be covered in the Enrolment Handbook, and thus to satisfy themselves that La Salle Academy is the appropriate school for their child. It also enables them to make a case for their child’s enrolment in the light of the principles according to which we try to work, and the ‘Questions for consideration’ outlined above.
From the school’s point of view, the interview provides an opportunity for the Principal to meet one or both of the parents, and to discuss the reasons for which they are interested in the school, their preparedness to support its values and policies, any special needs their child may have, and their intentions regarding the payment of fees and levies.
