Orientation Policy

Student Support Services Policy

Purpose

This policy sets out how Gold Coast Learning Centre will conduct an orientation program for international students.

Policy

Gold Coast Learning Centre takes initiatives to welcome international students by organising an orientation program prior to the commencement of their course, taking into consideration the tremendous cultures, backgrounds and countries of the students.
The orientation program is intended to provide the international students an introduction to living in Australia as a student in an endeavour to assist the student transition successfully and ensure to the maximum extent possible, their success during the time of their study with GCLC.

This Policy sets out the framework for GCLC’s orientation program which includes:

• an introduction to students about studying at GCLC and living in Australia and on the Gold Coast
• complaints and appeal processes
• Information about medical and emergency services, and legal services on the Gold Coast.
• Providing details to the students about accessing student support services, study support and English language support at GCLC.
• Providing a tour around the college which includes introduction to campus facilities, teaching staff, student resources and campus surroundings.
• Providing students information sessions about the course requirements and attendance expectation at GCLC.
• Providing students an awareness about their employment rights, workplace safety and workplace issue resolution by discussing the role and functions of Fair Work Ombudsman.
• Organising additional orientation sessions for students who arrive late to ensure students don’t miss important information.
• Providing all the listed services and programs to assist international students at no additional cost (which is found in the student handbook).
• Ensuring students achieve expected learning outcomes from their course by providing adequate support services and appropriate course advice.
• Making sure students have access to E-Learning enabling international students to manage their course plan and access important documents online.
• Designating sufficient staff members equipped with updated details of Gold Coast Learning Centre’s support services to be the direct point of contact for the international students.
• Ensuring that staff interacting with the students are aware about GCLC’s obligations under the Education Services for Overseas Students framework and the implications for students arising from exercising these obligations.

Students will be provided with a Student Orientation Pack that includes all the required administrative information and documentation relating to the student’s enrolment. All course information, timetables and training and assessment strategies and Student Handbook.
Enrolment and ID Cards are completed and processed during orientation.

During the orientation students will also be taken on a tour of the college and Surfers Paradise.

The orientation program also provides an opportunity for students to meet other students and the staff of GCLC.

Orientation is compulsory and students who do not attend will be required to make contact with the Student Services Officer to make arrangements for an alternative orientation session.

Procedure

Student Orientation

1. All full-time staff members are to be instructed on the GCLC orientation process to both understand and can assist with it.
2. All staff must read the Student Information booklet to understand the specified rules and advice given to students.
3. New students commence orientation at GCLC every Monday morning at 9:00 am.
   1. Administration staff will: welcome and ‘check in’ all new students – give them a name label and ask for their passports (to photocopy and double check their details) and are handed back.
   2. Take all new students to the orientation area and place students in order of arrival on the ‘arrival list’ sheet at 8:30am.
   3. Students are handed their GCLC Student Handbook and related forms.
4. The Management team, Administer and student services officer will conduct the orientation by explaining general information from the Student Information booklet. GCLC’s staff members are to ensure that the topics below are made clear to the students:
   1. students understand the procedure for student complaints and appeals process;
   2. student visa holders understand their visa conditions and requirements e.g. attendance, limited working hours per week, course progress etc;
   3. who to ask when they have any questions or problems;
   4. advise students of the 24 hrs emergency number.
   5. College’s rules, assessment process and Course Progress Policy.
   6. Understanding their Course timetables and Training and Assessments Strategies
   7. Who to contact regarding their academic questions.
   8. Students rights and responsibilities in Australia.
   9. Additional student support programs and English support classes for VET students.
   10. Living on the Gold Coast and the laws related
   11. Beach Safety

N.B. If students still have difficulty in understanding the English language, GCLC can arrange for the interpreter to help them.

1. Hand out the Writing Placement test/ LLN test form to all students.
2. Find the corresponding copy of the Enrolment form, Contact Details, Pre-Course Commencement Declaration and Disclaimer Form. Explain each of these to the students. Instruct the students to complete and sign forms
3. The Manager/Administer/ Student services officer hands out the timetables, Training & Assessment strategies and textbooks. Note: if any student is not happy with the class time or level, the student can discuss it directly with the Manager.
4. Get the student’s signature on the Enrolment Form, and Disclaimer Form, making sure that the student understands the rules and policies, especially the cancellation /refund policy.

Full time teachers will conduct the speaking interview for the Placement test/ LLN test.

1. After the speaking and listening interview, the ELICOS student will be placed in the correct level. VET students will be informed if English support is needed to assist in their studies
2. The Manager asks the students if they have any questions regarding the topics they covered.
3. Administration staff then takes the students on a college and Surfer Paradise tour.
4. Administration staff then takes the students to their classes.