Scotch College

Policies for Overseas Students

Deferment, Suspension and Cancellation Policy for Overseas Students

1. Deferment of commencement of study requested by student

1. Scotch College will only grant a deferment of commencement of studies for compassionate and compelling circumstances. These include but are not limited to:
1. illness, where a medical certificate states that the student was unable to attend classes
2. bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents (where possible a death certificate should be provided)
3. major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel that has impacted on studies
4. a traumatic experience which has impacted on the student (these cases should be where possible supported by police or psychologists’ reports)
2. The final decision for assessing and granting a deferment of commencement of studies lies with the Principal.
3. Deferment will be recorded on the Australian Government’s International Students’ Management System, PRISMS, depending on the students CoE status.

2. Suspension of study requested by student

1. Once the student has commenced the course, Scotch College will only grant a suspension of study for compassionate and compelling circumstances. These include but are not limited to;
1. illness, where a medical certificate states that the student was unable to attend classes
2. bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents (where possible a death certificate should be provided)
3. major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel that has impacted on studies
4. a traumatic experience which has impacted on the student (these cases should be where possible supported by police or psychologists’ reports)
2. Suspensions will be recorded on PRISMS.
3. The period of suspension will not be included in attendance calculations.
4. The final decision for assessing and granting a suspension of studies lies with the Principal.
5. Students who have had an application for deferment or suspension refused are not permitted to access the College’s complaints and appeals process.

3. Assessing requests for deferment or suspension of studies

1. Applications will be assessed on merit by the Principal or his delegate.
2. All applications for deferment or suspension will be considered within 14 working days during a school term.

4. Exclusion from class ( 1 – 28 days)

1. Scotch College may exclude a student from class studies on the grounds of misbehaviour by the student. Exclusion will occur as the result of any behaviour identified as resulting in exclusion as described in the rules, expectations and policies described in the Guide to Scotch College handbook.
2. Excluded students must abide by the conditions of their exclusion from studies which will depend on the welfare and accommodation arrangements in place for each student and which will be determined by the Principal or his delegate.
3. Where the student is provided with homework or other studies for the period of the exclusion, the student must continue to meet the academic requirements of the course.
4. Exclusions from class will not be recorded on PRISMS.
5. Periods of ‘exclusion from class’ will not be included in attendance calculations as per Scotch College’s Course Progress and Attendance Policy.

5. School initiated suspension of studies (more than 28 days )

1. Scotch College may initiate a suspension of studies for a student on the grounds of misbehaviour by the student. Suspension will occur as the result of any behaviour identified as resulting in suspension in the Guide to Scotch College handbook.
2. Suspended students must abide by the conditions of their suspension from studies which will depend on the welfare and accommodation arrangements in place for each student and which will be determined by the Principal or his delegate.
3. Students who have been suspended for more than 28 days are required to return to their home country by DIAC unless special circumstances exist (e.g. the student is medically unfit to travel).
4. If special circumstances exist, the student must abide by the conditions of his or her suspension which will depend on the welfare and accommodation arrangements in place for each student and which will be determined by the Principal or his delegate.
5. Suspensions will be recorded on PRISMS.
6. The period of suspension will not be included in attendance calculations.

6. Cancellation of enrolment

1. Scotch College may cancel the enrolment of a student under the following conditions;
1. Failure to pay course fees
2. Failure to maintain approved welfare and accommodation arrangements (visa condition 8532)
3. Any behaviour identified as resulting in cancellation as described in the Guide to Scotch College handbook.
2. Scotch College is required to report failure to maintain satisfactory course progress and failure to maintain satisfactory attendance to DIAC which will result in automatic cancellation.

7. Complaints and Appeals

1. Student requested deferment and suspension are not subject to Scotch Colleges Complaints and Appeals Policy.
2. Exclusion from class is subject to Scotch College’s Complaints and Appeals Policy.
3. School initiated suspension, where the suspension is to be recorded in PRISMS, and cancellation are subject to Scotch College’s Complaints and Appeals Policy.
4. For the duration of the appeals process, the student is required to maintain your enrolment and attendance at all classes as normal, unless directed otherwise by the Principal. The Principal or his delegate will determine if participation in studies will be in class or under a supervised arrangement outside of classes.
5. If students access Scotch College’s complaints and appeals process regarding a school initiated suspension, where the suspension is recorded in PRISMS, or cancellation, the suspension or cancellation will not be reported in PRISMS until the complaints and appeals process is finalised, unless extenuating circumstances relating to the welfare of the student apply.
6. Extenuating circumstances include;
1. the student refuses to maintain approved welfare and accommodation arrangements
2. the student is missing
3. the student has medical concerns or severe depression or psychological issues which lead the College to fear for the student’s wellbeing
4. the student has engaged or threatened to engage in behaviour that is reasonably believed to endanger the student or others
5. is at risk of committing a criminal offence, or
6. vi. the student is the subject of investigation relating to criminal matters
7. The use of extenuating circumstances by Scotch College to suspend or cancel a student’s enrolment prior to the completion of any complaints and appeals process will be supported by appropriate evidence.
8. The final decision for evaluating extenuating circumstances lies with the Principal.

8. Student Advice

1. Deferment, suspension and cancellation of enrolment can have an effect on a student’s visa as a result of changes to enrolment status. Students will be informed to contact the Department of Immigration for advice.