Children are entitled to be enrolled at the government school that is designated for the intake area within which the child’s home is situated and that the child is eligible to attend. Parents may seek to enrol their child in the school of their choice.

Enrolment Numbers and Buffer
The enrolments ceiling for Parramatta High School is 848 students based on available permanent accommodation. The school has set a buffer of 60 student positions, which is included in the total of 848. Places in the buffer are not offered to non-local students.

The primary criteria for acceptance of non-local enrolments will include the availability of appropriate staff and permanent classroom accommodation. Therefore, the number of classes in each year is a prime consideration for staffing and accommodation. Outlined below are the ceilings for the number of classes in each year group.

Local Placements
Students who reside with a parent/guardian in the local catchment area and provide satisfactory evidence of a local address will be made an offer of proposed placement at the school. An application form must be completed and accepted by the principal before a confirmation of enrolment will be issued. The confirmation of enrolment will be considered valid on the condition that the student resides at a local area address at the time of enrolment.

Evidence of a Local Area Address
Where the student and parent/carer is living in another person’s rented, leased or owned property, then an interview with the Principal will be required to establish the circumstances of the arrangements. The owner/lessee of the property will need to provide evidence of their address and a statutory declaration explaining the reason for this arrangement as well as evidence they are the owner or lessee of the property and personal identity as previously described.

In the case of a family where the parents share custody and one parent/guardian resides in the local area, interviews with each parent may be required to establish the living arrangements of the student. Proof of the residential address and identity documentation for each parent and copies of any family law court orders will need to be provided. Any other arrangements between the parents should be provided in writing.

Where the local area address of a student can not be substantiated, the student’s application will not be approved and the student will be placed on a waitlist until satisfactory evidence of a local area address can be provided. For students in Year 6 to 7 transition, the Expression of Interest will be forwarded to the next choice or local school.

Non-Local Placements
Non-local enrolments after the commencement of the school year, must not generate demand for extra staff or create disruption. If at any stage of the year, the demand for non-local places exceeds availability, the school’s placement panel will consider and make recommendations on all non-local applications.

The placement panel is chaired by the Principal (who will have the casting vote), one staff representative and one school community member nominated by the school’s parent organisation.

The application of the criteria to individual cases will be the responsibility of the placement panel. Only matters presented on the application form will be considered. Minutes of meeting will be available on request by the School Education Director.

Criteria for Non-Local Enrolments
The Principal, in consultation with the local community, has determined the criteria for non-local placement which are applied equitably for all applicants. Parents will be provided with an explanation of the decisions of the placement panel, in writing.

• Structure and organisation of the school
  
• Siblings already enrolled at the school
  
• Compassionate circumstances including medical reasons
  
• Availability of subjects or combination of subjects to meet Department of Education & Training and Board of Studies requirements
  
• Proximity and access to the school
  
• Safety and supervision of the student before and after school
  
• Special interest and abilities
  
• Access to co-education

No person will be discriminated against in enrolment on the grounds of their sex, age, race, disability, sexual preference, transgender or marital status.

Waiting Lists
A waiting list current for one year may be drawn up for non-local applicants. Parents will be advised in writing if their child is placed on a waiting list and his/her position on that list.

Appeals
Where a parent wishes to appeal against a decision of the placement panel, the appeal should be made in writing to the Principal. The Principal will provide assistance, such as an interpreter, for the appeal to be set out in writing. The School Education Director will consider the appeal and make a determination. The purpose of the appeal is to determine whether the stated criteria in the school enrolment policy have been applied fairly.

Enrolment of Non-Australian Citizens
It is the school’s responsibility to identify all temporary visa holders, noting expiry dates when reviewing application forms. The school will need to sight original documentation. Students may be directed to the International Students Centre or for assessment at an Intensive English Centre before enrolment is finalised.

Transition from Year 6 to 7
Students from government primary schools will usually enrol in high school using the Expression of Interest for Placement in Year 7 at a NSW Government School Form. Students from non-government primary schools will need to collect this form from a NSW government high school and return the completed expression of interest form to their first choice NSW government high school. Office staff must check the address supplied by applicants for authenticity against a reference point such as telephone account, electricity account or rates notice. Staff should also sight the student’s birth certificate, passport or travel document where the student is not an Australian citizen.

Information to be provided for all other enrolments
The parent or caregiver will need to provide any of the following documentation in support of the application.

Student Identity

• An original birth certificate, birth extract or Australian passport if your child was born in Australia
  
• If your child was born overseas, the original passport or travel document on which they entered Australia.

Proof of Residential Address

• Where you are the owner of the property you will need to provide current council rates for the property and at least two current utility accounts such as electricity, water or gas.
  
• Where you are the lessee of the property you will need to provide a rental agreement that will be valid at the commencement of enrolment and a current electricity account. You may need to provide further evidence of your residential address such as a current driver’s licence or Centrelink Health Care Card.
  
• If you are not the owner or lessee of the property you may be required to attend an interview with the principal to establish the circumstances of your residential arrangements.

  Parent/Carer Identity
  A current passport or driver’s licence. If you have neither of these documents you will need to establish your identity with such documents as your Medicare card, Proof of ID card, Centrelink Health care card. Other documentation may be requested.

  Only originals of these documents can be accepted. The school will need to take copies for the student record

  You may also need to provide, if relevant:

  • Certificate of Australia Citizenship or Australian passport if you or your child has become a naturalised Australian
    
  • Copies of Family Law Court Orders, Apprehended or Domestic Violence Orders.
    
  • Proof of guardianship
    
  • A Letter of Authority to Enrol from the International Students Program or the Temporary Visa Holders Program
    
  • A Certificate of Enrolment where the student attends a non-government school. This document should show the period of enrolment at the non-government school.

  Important Information about your child's name
  A student must be officially enrolled by the name which appears on their birth certificate (or passport/travel document) unless one of the following conditions apply:

  • a signed consent from both parents indicating approval to use the new name is provided;
    
  • a court order is provided authorising the use of the new name;
    
  • a statutory declaration is provided by the enrolling parent indicating that the child has had no contact with the other parent for a period of five years and his or her whereabouts are unknown;
  • a signed consent form from one parent and proof that the other parent is deceased. This can take the form of a statutory declaration by the enrolling parent or a death certificate;
  • a birth certificate issued in the new name;
  • proof of adoption.
  
  

  Placement of Non-Local Applicants
  If the number of non-local enrolments exceeds the places available, then such applications will be referred to the placement panel. If the school has reached its maximum enrolment in a year group (less the buffer), then the Principal will notify the non-local applicant in writing, that a position is not available and whether the student has been placed on a waiting list and at what position. The parent has the right of appeal as outlined earlier in this policy.

  Background Information Check
  The Principal will always contact a student’s previous school to confirm enrolment, to make them aware of a possible transfer and to ensure that the clearance procedure has been followed.

  Transfer of a Student from a NSW Government School
  Enrolment for a student from a NSW government high school will not be effected without a Transfer Certificate.

  Enrolment of Students with Disabilities
  When students with disabilities are seeking enrolment into regular classes, an appraisal of the students educational and support needs will occur. This may occur as part of planned transition process or at the time of seeking enrolment.

  Primary School Principals generally alert the High School Principal when they are aware that students with special educational needs wish to enrol at the High School. The High School Learning Support Team will be involved in the transition process. This may involve seeking assistance from Regional Office.

  In determining the most appropriate enrolment options a number of factors will need to be considered including:

  • Expressed desire of parent / caregivers
    
  • Appraisal of Educational and Support needs
    
  • Capacity to provide the level of support required
    
  • Availability of support services at alternative locations

  Students with disabilities participate equally in orientation activities and depending on need may require additional orientation programs.

  Staff are made aware of the strengths and support needs of disabled students and special attention is given to developing appropriate interaction between students, especially in playground situation.

Years 11 & 12

Selective Placement

International Students

Location

Uniform