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INFORMATION FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS

Thank you for your enquiry about Somerset College. Somerset College is an independent day school on the Gold Coast of Queensland catering for students from Preschool through to Year 12 (Matriculation). There are approximately 1,160 students at the college.

A small number of places are available at the school for full fee paying students from outside Australia. This will include students who wish to complete their final years of secondary school study for matriculation to Australian universities.

Somerset College does not have residential accommodation. We prefer that students live with parents or other relatives, or with homestay hosts who are prepared to assume the responsibilities of guardian. Living with English-speaking families will be an advantage to students wishing to improve their language skills. If students wish to make their own arrangements to stay with family or friends on the Gold Coast, this information must be submitted to the school before students begin their studies. Accommodation arrangements must be approved by the Headmaster.

Details of the curriculum offered are provided in the Somerset College Curriculum Structure brochure. Additional material can be found in the Primary Years Programme brochure and the Middle Years Programme brochure.

A copy of the Application for Admission can be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office or downloading the attached file.

Academic Courses at Somerset College

Junior School
- Year 1 to Year 7 (This course of study will last seven years.)

A variety of classroom teaching methods and excursions are used to teach the course. In addition to their classroom teacher, students will also have specialist instruction in LOTE, Physical Education, Technology, Art and Music. Students may be required to attend school camps and participate in after school sports practices.

Appropriate use is made of audiovisual convergent technology in classrooms. All students have full access to the school’s library facilities.

Senior School
– Year 8 to Year 12 (This course of study will last five years.)

A variety of classroom and laboratory teaching methods and excursions are used to teach the course. Classes are taught by specialist teachers in all subject areas. Students may be required to attend school camps and participate in after school sports practices.

Appropriate use is made of audiovisual convergent technology in classrooms. All students have full access to the school’s library facilities.

At the completion of Year 12 students may be eligible to receive an Overall Position (OP) to gain tertiary entry. All students receive a Queensland Senior Certificate. Alternatively students mat opt to study for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. To gain an OP, students will be required to complete a minimum of 20 Semester units of work.

All courses are taught, offered and supported by Somerset College.

Fees and Charges

Application Fee                     AU$55
Family Loan                          AU$2,800
Enrolment Fee                      AU$150
Alumni Life Membership  AU$200
2008 Tuition Fee                 AU$16,000

Supplementary Account
Miscellaneous expenditure such as excursions, camps, recreational sports, transport to and from sporting events and other incidental costs incurred by the school are charged at the end of each term.

A permission slip detailing the cost of activities is forwarded prior to the event. Fees incurred in undertaking the International Baccalaureate (Diploma or Certificate) will be charged to the supplementary account.

Other Subjects
Separate charges are made for optional private tuition for a range of activities such as instrumental, vocal, speech, ballet and chess.

Attendance
All students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, scheduled sporting activities and other school events as found in the school calendar. This includes the annual Interhouse swimming and Athletics carnivals, Family Chapel services, Scholars Day and Founders Day.

Attendance at classes must meet Government requirements and in addition the school requires a minimum of 90% attendance.

Enrolment at Somerset College
The College has an interdenominational Christian ethos and welcomes applications, regardless of a person’s ethnic origin, religion, or disability.

Enrolment Policy Principles
1. Enrolment numbers of Somerset College are determined by the Headmaster, in conjunction with the School Council.

2. The Headmaster reserves the right to offer or decline to offer a place.

3. The Headmaster reserves the right to offer subjects, activities and placement in a Year level appropriate to the individual pupil.

4. Consideration for admission and enrolment is given to applicants, comprised of both student and .parent, who through the enrolment procedure undertake to support the ethos and procedures of the school.

5. The offer of the position may involve consultation with Senior Staff at Somerset College and professionals external to the College.

6. Applications found to contain misleading information, may deny successful completion of enrolment or the continued enrolment at the College.

7. Full and frank disclosure is required throughout the admission and enrolment procedure.

8. Acceptance of the enrolment application and any subsequent interview is not a guarantee of a place being offered.

9. The College is committed to a philosophy of working to develop strong ties between parent and school so as to enhance and maintain the long term enrolment of individual students.

Preference is given to:

a) siblings of students currently enrolled at the school,
b) sons or daughters of former Somerset College students,
c) sons or daughters of Somerset College staff.

d) considering the need to ensure appropriate gender balance within a Year level and within the school as a whole.

Otherwise invitation to attend an enrolment interview, which may or may not lead to an offer of placement, will generally be in order of application.

Enrolment Policy Procedure
1. Applications for admission of a student should be made on an official Application Form accompanied by an application fee and a photocopy of either an Extract of Birth Entry or Birth Certificate. This fee is non-refundable.

2. The College will reply promptly with a letter acknowledging receipt of the Application Form.

3. The applicant’s name will be recorded on the waiting list for the entry level and entry year indicated on the Application for Admission or the year level waiting list that the school deems appropriate with regard to the child’s age and/or educational level.

4. Parents will be notified of a suitable time for an interview with the Headmaster or in his absence, a delegated senior academic member of staff. Generally these interviews will occur during the year prior to the pupil’s entry to the College. Interviews may also occur at other times in the year should places become available.

5. Prior to the interview parents will be requested to complete an Interview Form and return the completed form, at interview, with relevant supporting documentation.

6. Subsequent to the interview a place maybe offered.

7. If a place is offered, the place is to be accepted within 14 days by completing the following steps:

a) Return the signed Agreement to the Admissions Office,

b) Make payment of the Enrolment Fee and Somerset Former Students’ Association Life Membership Fee,

c)Make payment of the interest free Family Loan. The Family than will be redeemed upon departure of the child from the School provided one term’s notice in writing is given.

8. In the event of a confirmed place not being taken-up, a half of one term’s fees will be deducted from the family loan prior to it being refunded.

9. Fees and charges are subject to amendment by the Council and are payable in advance on the rendering of an account at the commencement of each term. Fees in arrears may attract an account administration cost reimbursement fee at the absolute discretion of the School Council. Fees paid annually in advance will attract a discount rate determined by the School Council at the commencement of each year.

10. Except for students completing Year 12, a full term’s notice in writing to the School must be given and received by the first day of Term 4 where a student is not returning the following year. If notice is not received, a half of one term’s fee, becomes payable.

Contact details
All pupils are required to advise the school of their current address and contact details. If a pupil moves it is essential that the school be advised immediately of this change. No change of accommodation arranged by the school can occur without the school’s approval.

If you wish to make application please send the following:

A completed application form
$55.00 (Australian) application fee
Your choice of subjects
Certified copies of your last public examination results
Proof of ability in the use of English language

Information of accommodation
Submitting an application does not guarantee you a place at the school but your application will be considered. It is necessary that the school is satisfied not only with your academic ability but also with your command of the English language.

All students entering the school will be required to visit the school for an Enrolment Interview prior to a place being offered.

You will be required to undertake an English language assessment at Somerset College before enrolment. The school reserves the right not to confirm enrolment if a student's ability with spoken and written English is considered inadequate for study purposes.

Subjects available for selection by overseas students are limited. Please note that previous study in some subjects is expected. E.S.L. support may be required, at additional cost to the student.

Do not send any fees, except the Application Fee, until you are given a definite offer of a place at the school.

If a place is offered, Somerset College will require you to forward the first half yearly installment of $7,500.00 to the school before a Confirmation of Acceptance form is issued. You will need this form to apply for a Student Visa.

The Australian Government will also require you to pay Overseas Student Health Cover before you are granted a student visa to enter Australia. Arrangements to pay this health cover can be made through the school.

Somerset College is located on Queensland’s Gold Coast, a well known tourist and educational destination. More information about the Gold Coast and Mudgeeraba the rural setting for the school can be found at the following websites:

 Gold Coast City Council
 Study Gold Coast

Refund Policy for International Students

The application and registration fees are not refundable.

The bond will be refunded when the student leaves the school, provided one term’s notice in writing is given, or at the conclusion of the agreed period of enrolment. If the required notice is not given, half of one term’s fees (i.e. a quarter of a semester) will be deducted from the bond.

In the event that a place is not taken up after fees are paid, a full refund of the bond and tuition fees will only be given if the reason for the cancellation is beyond the control of the applicant, as determined by the Headmaster. Otherwise a half of one term’s fees (i.e. a quarter of a semester) will be deducted from the bond. The balance of the bond and the full amount of tuition fees paid will then be refunded.

At the conclusion of the enrolment period, any fees or charges outstanding will be deducted from the bond.

Should documentary evidence of Australian Residency be provided during the period of enrolment, fees will be adjusted to take account of Commonwealth and State funding which is subsequently received by the school in respect of the student.

Amounts paid for medical insurance can only be refunded by the school if the school has not already passed the amount to the medical insurance fund for processing.

Dr B J Arnison
Headmaster OAM

February 2008