Pikhristos Aftonf! Khen oumethmi aftonf! Ekhristos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! Χριστός Ανέστη! Aληθώς Aνέστη! المسيح قام! حقا قام! (al-Masīḥ qām! Ḥaqqan qām!);
| Hristos vaskrse! | Vaistunu vaskrse! |
| Christos t'ensah em' muhtan! | Exai' ab-her eokala! |
A warm and heartfelt WELCOME to all our Families, Staff and Students for the continuation of Pentecost Term 2. I do hope that everyone had a blessed Easter and pray that the Resurrection Light continues to guide and bless each of us throughout our daily tasks and responsibilities.
Wishing you all a wonderful and successful term.
Building Project
The Building Project has been progressing well with the usual building and construction hiccups that occur in any project. With these, unfortunately days have been added to the expected completion time so at present with all the rain spells experienced this is now anticipated mid-late Term 3. The roof structure and roof is now completed on Block A, with both Building B & C completed with the next stage establishing their roofing structures.
Enrolment & Withdrawal Procedures (Repeated as Information for Parents & Carers)
Each year following any term, some enrolments occur following some withdrawals. In many cases of withdrawal, the agreed parent/College procedure for families withdrawing from the College has not been followed in previously having provided one full term's notice in writing and as such some are surprised they are still required to pay the next term's school fees even though their child will no longer attend.
A reminder please that it is a requirement of the signed family's contract with the College that they enter into at enrolment, that one full term's notice of withdrawal is to be given in writing to the Head of College, if a student is to be withdrawn from the School, otherwise one full term’s fees are payable in lieu of such notice. In some instances where things aren't definite or finalised, an Intention to Withdraw can be forwarded to the Head, thus eliminating the penalty in-lieu of payment when that time arrives.
Why Is the Term Charged, without 1 Term's Notice? This procedure is by no means unique to St Mark's Coptic Orthodox College and is standard practice in ALL Independent schools (not Catholic Systemic or Department schools that I'm aware of) around Australia.
In notifying the College of the withdrawal of enrolment (or Intention), it is a legal requirement that the proposed new school to be attended is also listed as this information is included on the Attendance Register which is linked to Fed/State Government requirements (for funding purposes). Without receiving this written notice one full term PRIOR to exit, families will be charged the term following their departure for each child as each Independent school relies on their current enrolment data at any point in time which affects their funding and budgeting based for each year.
The College does not force anyone who applies for enrolment to accept, nor does the College force anyone to remain in the College if circumstances require them to seek an alternate school. All that is requested is that parents honour and follow the terms and conditions of the enrolment contract so that unnecessary financial disputes and additional strains on families are avoided. Your assistance is requested in this matter so that if you are intending to withdraw your child/children at the end of this year, you MUST forward your written notification of intention to the College by the end of Term 3 (at the latest the last day of Term 3 for withdrawing from Term 1 thereby giving the whole of term 4 as required, as notice without penalty). If in doubt with timing of notice to withdraw due to relocation/waiting list notification etc, then still please advise us that the intent exists and there is a strong possibility of withdrawing.
Kindergarten & Year 7 2022 - 2025 Enrolments
All parents are advised that vacancies for both 2022 Kindergarten and Year 7 have been filled, completed and closed since the beginning of this year, with 2023 enrolled to a approximately 70% at this stage and 2024 to about 40%.
Hence the need to remind parents regarding Withdrawal procedures outlined above, so that the numerous Waiting List families can be contacted and forwarded some time to arrange relocation if an offer is forwarded them from SMCOC.
Any further Applications will be placed on the Waiting List only. As vacancies occur, offers will be forwarded accordingly, and according to a date recorded priority list order so that equity is afforded to all on the Waiting List in same/similar situations. (There are 6 priority categories within Waiting Lists)
Applications and Registrations are currently being taken for KINDERGARTEN & YEAR 7 - 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027.
All SMC Year 6 students are automatically enrolled in Year 7 2022 at the school. However, if you are not considering continuing at SMC for Year 7, PLEASE advise the school at your earliest convenience in writing but no later than the last Friday of Term 3, 2021 (17 September) as available vacancies are limited for external applicants.
STAFF CAR PARK
I would again like to re-iterate and ask parents to PLEASE NOT use the STAFF CAR PARK to drop off or wait to collect children AT ANY TIME.
The Car Park is to be used solely by STAFF at the College. The College has no liability for anyone's vehicle within the Car Park and is not liable for any damage caused or towing expenses for unattended vehicles. Please ensure others (who may not read this newsletter) collecting or dropping off your children are made aware of these requirements.
