Exemption from Attendance:

Elite Sports or Arts

This document includes templates to be customised by the school (e.g. by adding school letter head) and to be used for:

Information about Exemption from Attendance at School: Elite Sports or Arts Application for Exemption from Attendance at School: Elite Sports or Arts Certificate of Exemption from Attendance (if application is approved) Letter declining Application for Exemption from Attendance

APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION FROM SCHOOL ATTENDANCE FOR STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN ACCREDITED ELITE SPORTS PROGRAM OR EVENT OR ELITE ARTS PROGRAM

ACCREDITED ELITE SPORTS PROGRAM OR EVENT

1. Accredited elite sports programs include national and international sports organisations which run camps for athletes and national sports squads in which students have been selected to participate. They also include talent identification programs run by the New South Wales Department of Sport and Recreation.

2. Where programs run for more than 5 school days, applicants should be provided with an educational program under this section. See the requirements below.

ELITE ARTS PROGRAM PARTICIPATION

1. Elite Arts is defined as an opportunity for a student to participate in an event or program that is beyond the gifted and talented opportunities that a school offers.

2. Where a principal is unsure if a program meets the definition they should contact the AIS Education Regulations and Program Implementation Team on 9299 2845.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

1. An appropriate educational program must be provided by the student’s school.

2. The principal is responsible for ensuring that an appropriate educational program is provided for the student.

3. The educational program must be compatible with the program being undertaken at the student's school. It must be suitable for the age, maturity and ability of the student.

PERIODS OF INSTRUCTION

1. The student must be able to engage in sufficient hours to ensure that the requirements of the teaching/learning program are being met. In general, the student should engage with the educational program for an average of 2 hours instruction each school day.

2. The student will not undertake the educational program during weekends or school holidays.

3. Adequate meal and rest breaks should be undertaken by the student during their engagement with the educational program.

PLACES OF INSTRUCTION

1. A suitable area with adequate lighting, ventilation and space must be provided for the student while they are engaged with the educational program.

2. Furnishings should be suitable for the purpose of undertaking the educational program.

3. This area should be free from distraction.

Application for Exemption from Attendance at School: participation in elite sporting event or an elite arts program

Student Details

Family name: ___________________ Given name(s): __________________________

Age: ______ Date of birth: ____ (dd) / ____ (mm) / _____ (year)

Enrolment Register Number: _____________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________ Postcode: ______________

School name: ___________________________________________________________

Date of exemption applied for: ____ / ____ / ______ to: ____ / ____ / ______

Number of school days: _____ (Please provide more detail below in Section C)

Reason for application for exemption: Please tick (√) one of the following:

Participation in elite sporting event including for short periods of time i.e. for one or two days, and at short notice

Participation in elite arts program

NOTE: Where the reason for application for exemption includes travel arrangements, copies of travel documentation should be included with the application as the school requires evidence of the student’s travel.

PART A: TO BE COMPLETED BY THE STUDENT’S PARENTS

DETAILS OF PRIOR/CURRENT EXEMPTIONS (if applicable)

Date of prior/current exemption from: ____ / ____ / ______ to: ____ / ____ / ______

Number of school days: _____

Copy of prior/current Certificate of Exemption attached: (Please tick one box)

Yes □ No □PARENT DETAILS

Family name: ___________________ Given name(s): __________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________ Postcode: ______________

Telephone number: _________________ Relationship to student: _________________

As the parent of the above mentioned student, I hereby apply for a Certificate of Exemption from attendance at school, under the Education Act 1990. I understand that if the exemption is granted:

- I am responsible for his/her supervision during the period of exemption

- the exemption is limited to the period indicated

- the exemption is subject to the conditions listed on the Certificate of Exemption

- the exemption may be cancelled at any time.

I declare the information provided in this application for a certificate of exemption is to the best of my knowledge and belief accurate and complete. I recognise that should statements in this application later prove to be false or misleading any decision made as a result of this application may be reversed. I further recognise that a failure to comply with any condition set out in the exemption may result in the exemption being revoked.

Signature of applicant/s: __________________________________________________

Date: ____ / ____ / ______

PRIVACY STATEMENT – FOR REFERRAL TO THE DEPT EDUCATION, WHERE THE PERIOD OF EXEMPTION APPLIED FOR IS 100 DAYS OR MOREThe Department of Education is subject to the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. The information that you provide will be used to process your child’s application for an exemption from the requirement to enrol at and/or attend school. It will only be used or disclosed for the following purposes.• General student administration relating to the education and welfare of the student• Communication with students and parents• To ensure the health, safety and welfare of students, staff and visitors to the school• State and National reporting purposes• For any other purpose required by law.The information will be stored securely. You may access or correct any personal information by contacting the school. If you have a concern or complaint about the way your personal information has been collected, used, or disclosed, you should contact the school.

Name of elite arts or elite sports program: ____________________________________

A Period of exemption applied for (if block): ____ / ____ / ______ to: ____ / ____ /

Number of school days: _____

B Individual dates applied for: _____________________________________________

Number of school days: _____

C Hours of exemption (if partial exemption, e.g. 9:00 am – 11:30 am)

From ____ / ____ / ______ to: ____ / ____ /

REASON FOR EXEMPTION: (Please tick one box)

Training for elite sport □ Elite sport event or tour □ Elite arts program □

Please provide more detail about the reason for the application for exemption here:______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

Note: A schedule of participation, training or tour itinerary from the arts body or sporting body (e.g. Australian Institute of Sport) must be attached with contact names and numbers.

PART B: TO BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICANT

To be completed by the principal of the school where the exemption period requested is for 100 or more school days in a twelve month period.

Prior to forwarding this application for exemption from attendance at school to the delegate responsible for issuing the Certificate of Exemption (Deputy Secretary, Department of Education), the principal should complete the following advice for the delegate.

I recommend that this application from attendance at school is (Please tick one box ):

Granted

Not granted

Please provide more detail here (or attach supporting evidence, if required): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Principal’s name (please print): ___________________

Telephone number: __________

Signature of principal: _________________________

Date: ____ / ____ / ____

PART C: TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PRINCIPAL IF REQUESTED PERIOD EXCEEDS 100 DAYS

In relation to any educational program for the student:

As a condition of recommendation of approval, the student is to be provided with an educational program through a tutor

(Please tick one box ):

Yes

No

The tutor has consulted the school in the planning and development of this student’s educational program (Please tick one box ):

Yes

No

Comment: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Principal’s name (please print): ___________________

Telephone number: __________

Signature of principal: _________________________

Date: ____ / ____ / ____

PART D: TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PRINCIPAL IF RECOMMENDED PERIOD EXCEEDS 100 DAYS

To be completed by the investigating officer where further investigation has been necessary.

Following consideration of this application, I am satisfied that conditions exist/do not exist (delete whichever does not apply) that make it necessary and/or desirable for _________________________________________(Name of student) to be granted an exemption from attendance at school.

I recommend that a Certificate of Exemption be (Please tick one box ):

Granted

Not granted

1. Specific reasons for a recommendation to grant a Certificate of Exemption: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Specific reasons for a recommendation not to grant a Certificate of Exemption: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Investigating officer name (please print): ___________________

Position: __________

Signature: _________________________

Date: ____ / ____ / ____

PART E: INVESTIGATING OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION

To be completed by: The principal (where the period requested is less than 100 days), OR The Deputy Secretary, Department of Education (where the period

requested is 100 days or more).

Following consideration of this application, I am/am not (delete whichever does not apply) satisfied that conditions exist that make it necessary and/or desirable for ________________________________________(name of student) be exempt from attendance at school.

I recommend that a Certificate of Exemption be (Please tick one box ):

Granted

Not granted

Name and position of delegate: ___________________

Signature of delegate: _________________________

Date: ____ / ____ / ____ Notification to applicant : ____ / ____ / ____

Note: The delegate is requested to provide a Certificate of Exemption if exemption is granted.

PART F: DELEGATE’S RECOMMENDATION

Certificate for Exemption from Attendance at School under Section 25 of the Education Act 1990

The student whose details appear below has been granted an exemption from attendance for the period indicated.

STUDENT DETAILS Family name: ___________________ Given name(s): ______________________ Date of birth: ____ (dd) / ____ (mm) / ____ (year) Address: ___________________________________________________________ _______________________________________ Postcode: __________

School name: ____________________ School’s telephone number: _____________ Date of exemption from: ____ / ____ / ____ to: ____ / ____ / ____

Reason for the exemption: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Conditions of the exemption (note: for a part day exemption the hours of program participation must be specified, including the plan to have the student attend school full time). ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

As the parent of the above mentioned student, I am responsible for his/her supervision during the period of exemption. I understand that this exemption is limited to the period indicated. I understand that this exemption is subject to the conditions listed and that the exemption may be cancelled at any time.

Name of parent: _____________________ Signature of parent: ________________

Name and position of delegate: ___________________________________________

Signature of delegate: _________________________________ Date: ___/___/_____

This certificate has been issued without alteration and must be producedwhen requested by police or other authorised attendance officers

Example Letter – Declining an Application for a Certificate of Exemption from school attendance

<Correspondence Name><Correspondence Address>

Dear <Correspondence Name>

You recently applied for a Certificate of Exemption for <Student Name> from attendance at school. Certificates of Exemption may be granted when it has been clearly demonstrated by the applicant that an exemption is necessary or desirable and that alternatives to exemption have been considered. Further, the exemption must be in the student’s best interests in the short and long term.

I have carefully considered your application and I am not satisfied that an exemption from attendance is in <Student Name’s> best interest. My reasons for declining your application are: <…………………………………………………………………………………….>

If you need further advice on this matter or would like to discuss my decision, please contact the school on <office telephone number> to make an appointment.

You have the right to appeal this decision if you consider that correct procedures have not been followed or that an unfair decision has been made.

Yours sincerely,

<Delegate Name>

<Position Title>

<Insert date>