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CONDITIONS OF ENROLMENT

ACCOMMODATION

As per The Education (Pastoral of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 upon or before enrolment the International Students Office of the School will determine and verify which category of accommodation the student will live in regardless of age ie: - Homestay - Designated caregiver - Parent

No International Student of Lincoln High School can live independently, in a boarding establishment or in temporary accommodation.

Police vetting will be required of all caregivers and all residents of a household aged 18 or over excluding International Students (excluding parents). The School will provide guidelines to the caregivers and the students and outline the divisions of responsibility between the School and the caregiver.

The parents and the student agree that the student shall remain in accommodation arrangements either organised by the School for the term of this agreement, or approved by the School according to the Code of Practice guidelines on accommodation. Any changes must be negotiated with the International team beforehand. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to a cancellation of the student’s place. All caregivers who are not New Zealand citizens must provide copies of their passports and valid visas.  

HOMESTAY

All homestays are carefully selected and monitored to ensure that appropriate standards are maintained. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are provided by the host family. Homestay payment is payable in advance to Lincoln High School. Lincoln High School can only guarantee accommodation for visa purposes for the number of weeks’ homestay fees have been paid for. The School will pay the homestay caregiver each fortnight and account for all money received and payments made from homestay money.

The homestay fees invoiced may be an estimate cost only. Exact costs will be determined when final departure date is confirmed.

Prepaid fees unused at the end of the of enrolment to less then NZD $1,000 wont be refunded.  Sums greater then NZD $1,000 will be refunded into a nominated bank account. 

Two weeks’ notice must be given by either party (homestay or student) prior to a student being placed in another homestay.

DESIGNATED CAREGIVERS (DCG)

The parents of the student must fill out and personally sign the International Student Application and include all details of the DCG on the form when submitting the application. The School will decide if the caregiver will be verified as a Designated Caregiver and will ask for a police vet, further supporting information and/or evidence of the nature of the close relationship or friendship.   The home of the proposed DCG will be visited and assessed the same as for a homestay caregiver. The home will be visited subsequently to substantiate and verify the DCG’s living situation.

At no time can a DCG leave the student unsupervised overnight or for any length of time without firstly informing the School and seeking approval for a temporary caregiver to take their place. This will probably necessitate a new DCG being appointed for the period as per all DCG regulations.

The DCG arrangement cannot change until Lincoln High School is informed and agrees to the change. The parents take full responsibility and accept the decisions made by their DCG about the day-to-day requirements of their child and understand that Lincoln High School will make every endeavour to provide care and welfare of their child while studying in their school. Should you have any concerns regarding the welfare of your child Lincoln High School may refer your child to the relevant welfare authorities or any other appropriate agency in New Zealand.

PARENTS

Students living with parents must still be monitored by the School. Birth Certificates and copies of passports and visas are required to verify parent status.

At no time can a parent leave the student unsupervised overnight or for any length of time without first informing the School and seeking approval for a temporary adult caregiver to take their place. If a parent leaves a student unsupervised in New Zealand that student will lose their place at the School and New Zealand Immigration will be informed.

If students are living with a parent, the parent has full responsibility for the pastoral care of the student outside tuition hours and may be called up to the school at short notice on school matters. Parents must follow all the policies of the School at all times.

AGREEMENT

a) Notices given under this agreement must be in writing and given to the addresses set out in the application forms. Those sent by post shall be deemed to have been received five working days after posting. b) This document contains all of the terms, representations and warranties made between the parties and supersedes all prior discussions and agreements covering the subject matter of this agreement. c) It is acknowledged that all relevant provisions of the Education Act 2003 shall apply to the student in New Zealand. Any decision under these provisions to stand-down, exclude or suspend the student for a specified period shall terminate this agreement and the no refund policy shall apply. The parents shall have no claim in damages or for any compensation if this agreement is terminated in these circumstances. d) Neither party is liable to the other for failing to meet its obligations under this agreement to the extent that the failure was caused by an Act of God or other force majeure or circumstances beyond its reasonable control. e) This agreement shall be construed and take effect as a contract made in New Zealand and will be governed by New Zealand law, and the student and parents submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.

APPLICATION AND PLACEMENT

All applications must be made on the official application forms . Applicants may be interviewed by a Lincoln High School staff member or through a contracted agent in accordance with the code.

The School will issue an Offer of Place to a selected student but the level of study offered is an indicator only. The School has the right to place the students in appropriate subjects and year levels; selection and placement are conditional upon the School being able to meet the needs of the student. Students entering the School as International Students must have the prior learning necessary and the intellectual and emotional capacity to cope with study in New Zealand in English at the level enrolled in. Quality applicants are sought whose proficiencies and career intentions are matched by the opportunities Lincoln High School offers. The school may ask a student to undertake intensive language tuition at another institution for a period of time if it is ascertained the student cannot cope at School at an appropriate English level. Generally, students are placed with their age group level.

Once a student has been accepted and has been provided with all the information required of the school by the Code of Practice an offer of place will be made. Until such time as fees are paid and all documentation supplied as required, (including visa, signed contract, homestay and support person names and addresses and insurance coverage) the student may not begin their course.

SELECTION

Selection will be made by the Director of International Students. Students from a wide range of countries will be recruited so that many cultures are represented. Offers are based on an assessment of the extent to which Lincoln High School can meet the needs of the prospective student. The School reserves the right to cancel an Offer of Place and refund fees paid hereunder in the event it ascertains any adverse comment from the previous schooling of the Applicant or any of the Applicant’s recommendation letters. The School reserves the right to cancel an Offer of Place and refund fees hereunder in the event the level of English and/or prior learning in the subject area is not verified in testing at enrolment. Failure to disclose relevant information or the provision of false information may result in termination of enrolment.

TESTING

The School may test International Students on arrival at the School to help determine placement. The School may also require testing in a student’s own home country before selection. The School will provide its own testing material.

AUTHORITY AND INFORMATION

The parents of the student authorise staff of the School to: a) Receive information from any person, authority or corporate body concerning the student including, but not limited to, medical, educational and welfare information. b) Receive financial information relating to the student including bank account details. c) Provide consents in respect of any activity carried out and authorised by the School. d) Provide necessary consents on the student’s behalf in the event of a medical emergency where it is not reasonably practicable to contact the parents. e) The parents irrevocably authorise the Director of International Students to advise the student’s caregiver of all matters and information required to be provided to parents of any student under the laws of New Zealand. The parents irrevocably authorise the School to obtain information regarding the student from the homestay or caregiver. The parents agree to appoint the homestay or caregiver as their representative in New Zealand to receive and provide such information in substitution for the parents where it is not possible or practical for the parents to receive and provide such information. f) The parents agree to provide the School with academic, medical or other information relating to the well-being of the student as may be requested from time to time by the School.

CHANGE OF STATUS

International Students are able to change to domestic status while enrolled at Lincoln High School. If students change to domestic status all normal conditions of enrolment must be met, including living permanently in zone. Documentation verifying details for regular student status will be required. Any tuition fees paid while student status is a Foreign Fee Paying student will not be refunded

Proof of regular student eligibility must be forwarded to the School including copies of all relevant visas, passport details, dates and conditions.

A student with domestic status who loses that status must then immediately apply for an International Student place and follow normal procedures. Failure to do so will mean the New Zealand Immigration Service will be informed and the student may have no place at the School.

CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE

- All contracts are for the duration of the enrolment at the school. - All International Students must be accommodated in a homestay that is approved by the school. All International Students must be living under adequate adult supervision.

Where in the school’s opinion, the living arrangements are unsatisfactory, the School has a right to require an alternative homestay.

International Students must attend the school on all days that it is open for tuition. Where it is necessary for an International Student to absent themselves from the School the reason for that absence must be communicated to the School. Where International Students continue to absent themselves from the School for no valid reason they run the risk of having their contract with Lincoln High School revoked. If this occurs the New Zealand Immigration Department will be informed using the standard form. The student must abide by the rules and regulations that cover all students whilst at the school.

A copy of the School’s Policies is available for inspection at the International Office. Failure to follow the School’s rules or policies could result in the enrolment being terminated by the School under the Education (Stand down, Suspension, Exclusion and Expulsion) Rules 1999. -

Students must not drive a motor vehicle.

It is a requirement of enrolment that all International Students carry a comprehensive medical and travel insurance policy while enrolled at Lincoln High School.

ENROLMENT CONDITIONS

Upon enrolment at the School the student will abide by the same conditions as regards behaviour and absence as apply to domestic students. Enrolment as an International Student at the School shall be terminated:-

a) At any time by agreement between the parties
b) By Lincoln High School if the student fails to pay fees in advance, or fails to abide by the same conditions as for domestic students, or fails to abide by the conditions of the International Student Tuition Agreement.
c) If the student ceases to hold or ceases to be eligible to hold a valid student visa issued by the New Zealand Immigration Service.

IMMIGRATION

Full details of visa requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available from Immigration New Zealand and can be viewed on their website www.immigration.govt.nz

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility for Health Services

Most International students are not entitled to publicly funded health services whilst in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlement to publicly funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website www.health.govt.nz

Accident Insurance

The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website www.acc.co.nz

Medical and Travel Insurance

International students (including group students) must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. This is a requirement under The Education (Pastoral of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.  The School offers insurance so feel free to get in touch with the International team to find out more

If International students wish to purchase their own insurance elsewhere, the School needs to be provided with a copy of the Insurance Certificate and policy wordings in English so we may determine whether the insurance provides sufficient cover for the student’s medical, travel and potential repatriation needs.

It should be noted that costs such as medical treatment in New Zealand and medical evacuation or repatriation can be prohibitive. It is therefore imperative that sums insured for   these benefits should be set at an appropriately high figure – ideally this figure should be unlimited although the School will allow figures that it deems to be appropriately high. Below is the suggested minimum content for appropriate insurance policies according to The Education (Pastoral of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021:

a) Commence the minute the student leaves home for the airport on their way to New Zealand.
b) Apply while in transit.
c) Apply while the student is in New Zealand.
d) Cover the student for any trips to other countries during the period of study.
e) Cover the student for any holidays back to their home country during the period of study.

High Sums Insured and Medical Benefits

“Sums insured” is the money available in the event of a claim. It is imperative that the sums insured are very high so they will not be exceeded in any possible claim. Sums insured of one million dollars plus are recommended.

Emergency Evacuation / Repatriation

Repatriation represents the costs of getting the student home. The benefit works two ways:

1. If the student becomes seriously ill or injured and needs to be accompanied home (either alive or deceased) with medical professionals, these costs are met by the insurance. 2. If members of the student’s immediate* family living overseas become critically ill or die, the policy will fly the student home, and then back to New Zealand to complete their studies. (*immediate family is the mother, father, brother or sister).

Ideally, the policy should have “unlimited cover” as very large sums can be incurred in these situations. Insurance policies for International students should be obtained from companies with a credit rating no lower than A from Standard and Poors or B+ from AM Best.

If the insurer is an overseas company, the School requires students to provide policy details in English so that it may ensure that all necessary requirements are met. If, prior to enrolment, it is decided that a student does not have adequate insurance, the student will be required to take out additional cover to meet the standards set down by the School.

ORIENTATION

The School will provide a comprehensive programme to help students adjust to school life. All students must attend an orientation at enrolment – this happens over the first few days of school. Refusal to participate in orientation will lead to cancellation of enrolment.

REFUND POLICY

All tuition fees paid by Overseas Students are non-refundable with the following exceptions:

  • If a student decides to leave Lincoln High School because the course asked for by the student in the Application form and agreed to in the School’s Offer of Place is not available. A full refund will be given.
  • If a student decides against coming to New Zealand. All fees paid, minus Registration Fee, will be refunded.
  • Once a student has arrived in New Zealand refunds can be made in the first seven days minus administration costs incurred.  After that, refunds will only be made in the most exceptional circumstances (e.g. return home because of a serious illness or death of a close family member).  Then only partial refunds will be made as the school will have incurred costs on the student’s behalf for the whole of the year.  This is at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.
  • Failure by a student to obtain a study visa
  • Lincoln High School ceasing to be a signatory
  • Failure of Lincoln High School ceasing to be a provider.

Students wishing to apply for a refund must make an application in writing to the Board of Trustees of the School explaining why they are leaving Lincoln High School.  

In arriving at their decision, the Board of Trustees will take into consideration the special circumstances of the withdrawing student and:

a)            An administration fee which is non-refundable.

b)            Costs already incurred by the school

c)            The salaries of the teachers and support staff and any other components of the fee already committed for the duration of the course

d)            An amount which covers use of staffing and resources to date of withdrawal

e)            Any refund of the foreign student’s fee from the Government. 

Students who gain Permanent Residence status after the School year has commenced will not be eligible for a tuition fee refund.

If a student chooses to change schools, no tuition fee refund will be given.

If a student is removed from the school for not complying with the school’s rules and regulations, there will be no tuition fee refund.

All homestay fees and contingency fees not used at the time a student leaves Lincoln High School will be refunded. 

FEE PROTECTION POLICY

To protect International Students’ tuition fees, the fees are held in an income in advance account and the school draws down the fees paid retrospectively each month.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

Lincoln High School has established guidelines for students who have a complaint or grievance against the school.  The procedure for dealing with such an issue is:

International students who consider that they have a concern, complaint or grievance with Lincoln High School should in the first instance discuss the concern with the Director of International Students. If the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student, the student or their authorized agent/representative should then take up the matter with the Principal.

1. If the matter is still not resolved satisfactorily, the student should put their concern in writing to the Board of Trustees of Lincoln High School.  The board will then consider the matter and come to a decision.

2. If, at this stage, the student is still not satisfied with the outcome, the complaint should be taken to the International Student Disputes Resolution Scheme (DRS) established by section 23AJ of the Education Act 1989.   The DRS will receive and adjudicate on complaints received from International Students or their authorized agents/representatives concerning breaches of The Education (Pastoral of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.   Information about the DSR is available in the International office, or by mail at:

Lincoln High School has agreed to observe and be bound by The Education (Pastoral of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.  Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the NZQA website www.nzqa.govt.nz

PRIVACY, INFORMATION

The parents and the student acknowledge that:

a) Personal information disclosed in the International Student Application will be held by the International Office and will be used for communication to the parents. If any information i.e. addresses change, please notify the International Office accordingly.
b) All personal information provided to the School is collected and will be held by Lincoln High School at 25 Boundary Road, Lincoln, New Zealand. c) If the student/parents fail to provide any information requested in the International Student Application, the School will be unable to process the application.
d) The student/parents have the right under the Privacy Act 1993 to obtain access to and request corrections of any personal information held by the School concerning them.

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