INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CODE OF PRACTICE

A copy of the Code of Practice is in the International Student Office.  Copies of the Summary of the Code of Practice are also available for students in a range of languages.

Complaint Procedures

What to do if you think the school has failed to follow the Code.

Internal Procedures

Step 1:
If it is a Homestay Matter, contact the Homestay Coordinator in the International Student Office.

If it is a School Matter, contact the Head of Department ESOL/Dean of International Students, Mrs Matthews.

Step 2:
If you are not satisfied with the way the complaint is dealt with, you are to talk to either the Director of International Students, Mrs Codd, or the Deputy Principal, Mr Whittle.

Step 3:
If you are still not satisfied you can ask the Principal, Mrs Sims, to take up the issue on your behalf with the Board of Trustees through the Chairperson.

International Education Appeal Authority

If you believe the school has breached the Code of Practice and you have not been able to settle the matter following the school's internal procedures, you may bring the matter to the International Education Appeal Authority.

Contacting the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA)

You can write to the IEAA at:

The International Education Appeal Authority

Ministry of Education 

PO Box 1666

Wellington

New Zealand

Exclusion from School:

 i  An international student once enrolled at a school has the same rights as a domestic student and cannot be excluded from school other than in accordance with the stand down and suspension provisions of the Education Act.

 ii  If a disciplinary issue arises that involves an International student, the matter will be discussed with the Head of Department ESOL/Dean of International students.

 iii  Where necessary, a "mediator student" will be used to assist with communication difficulties.  If the matter is serious and language barriers exist, a community liaison person who is fluent in both English and the student's first language will be called in to assist with communication.

 iv  The "Designated Caregiver"/New Zealand Liasion Person, agent and/or parents of the international student will be notified of any matters of a serious nature.

 v  Any decision to suspend a student will be made by the Principal on the grounds of gross misconduct or continual disobedience.

 vi  The Principal's decision can be referred to the Board of Trustees where the student has been suspended or removed from the homestay.

 vii  The student has the right to attend the hearing and to be represented as provided for in the 1989 Education Act.

Exclusion of a Student from a Homestay

Where a decision is made to exclude a student from the school's homestay arrangements and this necessitates a return home, the following procedure will be followed:

i.  The agent and parents of the international student will be notified of the matters causing concern.

ii.   A decision will be made as to whether the student should be given permission to enrol with an alternative provider in New Zealand.

Agreements

All international students are required to sign a "Student Agreement" as part of the enrolment process.  Parents and agents or "Designated Caregivers"/New Zealand Liasion Person are required to sign "Conditions of Enrolment" as part of the enrolment process.

The College is required to ensure that all students fees are protected in the event that the College is unable to continue to offer tuition to international students or in the event that a student is required to return home or transfer to another institution.

Guidelines

i  All students attending Awatapu College are required to be covered by a comprehensive Insurance Policy.

ii The College holds a master policy with Uni-Care.  Students must pay insurance cover with school fees.

iii Student fees are protected under the Awatapu College BOT Fees Protection Policy.

The refund policy for fees of international students will be based on Section 4B (7) of the Education (No 4) Amendment Act 1991.  The Principal will act as the agent of the Board of Trustees in establishing the circumstances and the level of the fees to be refunded.

 i. If a student failed to take up the offer of placement, any fees already paid will be refunded less an enrolment administration charge of $100.00.  The administration and homestay monitoring fee is non-refundable if a homestay has been arranged prior to student withdrawal.

 ii. If a student commences study and leaves during the year, fees are refundable for full semester periods only.

 iii. Any variation to this policy will be at the discretion of the Principal.  A decision on refund of fees will be made after the reasons for withdrawal have been presented and discussed.  A non-specific "change of mind" will not be grounds for a refund.  Examples of situations where refunds may be arranged include:

a) serious illness of the student;

b) death or serious illness of a family member.

 iv. No refunds will be made where students are excluded from school under provisions of the Education Act.

 v. In arriving at a decision, the Principal will take into consideration the special circumstances of the withdrawing student and:

a) costs already incurred by the College;

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

c) an amount which covers use of the facilities and resources to date of withdrawal;

d) any international student levies paid to the Government.