Enrolment Policy

Rationale

Avoca Beach Primary School is situated in a well defined geographical area and shares boundaries with Terrigal, Kincumber, Copacabana schools. More specifically, Avoca Beach enrols children who live at Avoca Beach, ie. Avoca Beach address and postcode 2251.

From time to time "Out of Zone" applications are received from parents living outside the Avoca Beach address who wish to have their children attend Avoca Beach Primary School. To consider these applications in light of D.O.S.E. guidelines and current school conditions, the following policy has been developed.

Policy

  1. Boundaries of Avoca Beach Primary School feeder area are:
    • North to Avoca Lake
    • West to the roundabout at the junction of the Round Drive and Scenic Drive
    • South to the junction of Cullens Road and Cape Three Points Road.

    See a Map of the School Zone Boundaries.

  2. The enrolment ceiling for Avoca Beach Primary School, based on 14 permanent classrooms, is 420.
  3. Within the enrolment ceiling, a buffer of 15 places will be reserved for local enrolments
    eg.
    Enrolment Ceiling: 420 less 15 = 405
    Actual Enrolment: 394
    Spaces available for "Out of Zone": 9
  4. No "Out of Zone" enrolments will be accepted if additional accommodation or staff is required to cater for them.
  5. In the event that vacancies exist outside of the "buffer" the following criteria will be considered as relevant to "Out of Zone" applications by a placement panel consisting of:
    • The Principal
    • Executive Staff
    • Administration Manager

    Criteria for "Out of Zone" Enrolment Applications

    Criteria could include factors such as (criteria are not listed in a priority order):

    • proximity and access to the school
    • siblings already enrolled at the school
    • access to single-sex education
    • medical reasons
    • safety and supervision of the student before and after school
    • availability of subjects or combinations of subjects
    • special interests and abilities
    • compassionate circumstances
    • structure and organisation of the school

    The principal will ensure that the established criteria are applied equitably to all applicants. Parents should be provided with an explanation of the decisions of the placement panel in writing, shoud they request it.

  6. Waiting Lists may be established for non-local students. Parents should be adivsed in writing if their child is to be placed ona waiting list and his or her position on it. The size of the waiting list should reflect realistic expectations of potential vacancies. Waitign lists are current for one year.
  7. Appeals — Where a parent wishes to appeal against the decision of the placement panel, the appeal should be made in writing to the principal. Where required, the principal should provide or arrange assistance, such as an interpreter, to enable the appeal to be set out in writing. The principal will seek to resolve the matter.

    8. If the matter is not resolved at the local level, the district superintendent will consider the appeal and make a determination. The district superintendent will consult with the relevant principals and school communities as necessary.

    The purpose of the appeal is to determine whether the state criteria have been applied fairly.

Note:  Each year, when considering applications for "Out of Zone" enrolments, the placement committee should consider the staffing differential for Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2. This may mean a variation of the enrolment ceiling.