Refund Conditions
REFUND CONDITIONS for INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If a student withdraws from his/her course of study before the completion date, he/she may be eligible for a refund of tuition fees. The following procedures and guidelines would apply:
To be eligible for any refund:
The parents must apply in writing to the Principal setting out the special circumstances of the claim within one month of the last day of attendance.
If the application is made before the start of the course:
Fees will be refunded in full less the administration charge of $400. This includes if a student is not granted a student permit to attend Western Heights School.
If the application is made after the start of the course, but before the second half of a course:
Fees will be refunded less:
- An administration charge of NZ$400 (GST inclusive)
- Costs to the school already incurred for tuition
- Components of the fee already committed for the duration of the course
- Appropriate proportions of salaries for teachers and support staff (if applicable)
- Costs already incurred for the use of facilities and resources
- Any other costs already incurred
If the application is made after the second half of a course:
There will be no refund except under exceptional circumstances...
Compassionate Refunds
In exceptional circumstances, refunds may be granted on compassionate grounds, (e.g. death of a close family member, serious illness, accident). All such refunds will be at the discretion of the Principal and the Board of Trustees,
If an international fee-paying student gains residency during the course:
No further fees are to be paid and a refund may be made on the unused portion of the prepaid fees. The new resident will then abide by the school enrolment scheme.
Documentation of residency must be provided within 14 days of it being granted.
The Board of Trustees will make no refund:
Where a student has been stood down, suspended or excluded
Where a student returns home for any reason other than serious illness or death of a close family member.
If the enrolment application is found to be inaccurate in any way and the contract is terminated.
PROCEDURES THAT APPLY WHEN A STUDENT WITHDRAWS / IS NOT ATTENDING THEIR COURSE
If a student withdraws from school:
It must be in writing by the parents prior to the student’s last day, giving the date of the final day of attendance and the reason for leaving and the Immigration Service will be notified.
The Refund Policy for International Students shall apply.
If a student is not attending school:
In the case of absences, the parent/caregiver must follow the normal school procedure of notifying the school in the morning of the first day of the absence, and following this up with a written note on the first day of the student’s return to school. If the absence can be foretold – e.g. an appointment - then the school is to be informed in writing the day prior to the appointment or earlier.
Where the student is absent with no reason then the parents will initially be contacted by the school for an explanation. Where a student is being truant from school, the school Visiting Teacher will have a meeting with the parents to rectify the situation. If the Truancy continues then a family meeting will be held and contingencies put in place. If this does not rectify the situation then the enrolment will be terminated and the Immigration Service notified.
If the student does not attend for more than twenty consecutive school days then the school will, in writing, notify the parents/caregivers that the enrolment has been terminated and the Immigration Service notified. However if the parents have previously notified the school in writing that the student will be absent for a period of time, with the full reason for the absence, the place shall be held, providing all fees have been paid in full, as required.
If the student is withdrawn from or ceases to attend the school the Board of Trustees will notify the New Zealand Immigration Service.
CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH TUITION MAY BE TERMINATED
Where a student is absent or consistently truanting from school (see above) then the signatory will terminate the enrolment.
If a student’s behaviour is of an unacceptable level, then a meeting with the student, the parents/caregiver, and the school will be arranged. If the behaviour does not improve, written notification will be given to the parents warning of the danger of termination of the enrolment. If there is no further improvement, the parents and the student will be notified in writing that the student must leave at the end of that term, or earlier if the school decides, and will not be eligible to return the following term. There will be no refund of fees paid if this occurs.
An ‘acceptable level of behaviour’ would be seen as following the school rules and the school ‘Behaviour Plan’ - available via our School Office, or via a link on the final page of this site.
If an enrolment application is found to be deliberately inaccurate in any way the contract may be terminated at the school’s discretion.
Upon termination of enrolment, the Immigration Service will be notified as required.