Information for Students Wishing to Enrol at RELA

The following information will help you to enrol. It will also help you during your time at RELA. Many of our policies and procedures are explained below.

Click on a link for further information

• Enrolment Form and How to Enrol
• Entry Requirements and Assessment of Prospective International Students
• Enrolment Requirements for Younger Students
• Conditions of Enrolment
• Your Attendance Requirements
• RELA Rules and Student Rights for Adult Students
• The Refund Policy
• Fees Protection Policy
• What To Do If You Are Unhappy About Anything At The School
• Summary Document of Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students
• Counsellors
• Insurance
  
• Public Holidays
• Student Handbook
  
  

Entry Requirements and Assessment of Prospective International Students

• RELA will accept students over 16 years at all times of the year, if they meet our enrolment conditions.
• RELA will accept students aged 11-15 years during holiday periods in the student’s home country, under our normal enrolment conditions.
• We will accept students aged 10 years and under, only if at least one parent is in Rotorua for the complete period of study, or if the students are part of an organized tour group.
• Students aged 12 years and under will be in a special children’s class.
• Students already studying in New Zealand will be accepted in New Zealand school holidays if we have places for them.
• It is important that younger students understand that they will be in classes with adults, and will be expected to behave accordingly, and show respect to other students and to staff.
• RELA offers courses at all levels, from beginners to advanced, so any standard of competence in English is acceptable.
• Students may take a short test as part of the application process. This provides RELA with a good idea of a student’s ability before a full placement test is taken upon arrival at RELA.

To apply to study at RELA, fill in our enrolment form, which is easy to understand and simple to fill in.

Students under the age of 18 must provide evidence of their school record to prove that their academic standards and attitude to study are good enough to complete a RELA course. Students already studying in New Zealand must also provide this.

If your course is for 12 weeks or less, you can study with a visitor's visa or a working holiday visa. If your course is longer than 12 weeks, you must apply for a student visa at a New Zealand Embassy.

Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at www.immigration.govt.nz.

In order for us to process your enrolment registration, please fill in ALL FIELDS within this form. A detailed homestay application form should be completed before arrival in New Zealand if you want RELA to arrange a homestay for you.

When we receive your registration, we will contact you to confirm your placement.

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Conditions of Enrolment

1. Enrolments
1.1 Enrolment is subject to the following conditions and becomes a legal contract on acceptance of a student by Rotorua English Language Academy (RELA).
1.2 Enrolment is only made when RELA receives full payment of fees.
1.3 RELA reserves the right to modify its course arrangements and to alter its specifications and fees without prior notice.

2. Fees
2.1 All fees must be received by RELA 14 days before the course commences.
2.2 Non-payment or not having proof of payment may result in withholding of services by RELA.
2.3 Course fees are worked out in complete weeks, including weeks with public holidays. Three or more days count as a week.
2.4 In the event of absence or early departure from the course after the first 7 days of the course, no refund is possible.
2.5 Students must pay their own entrance or activity costs for optional class trips and recreational activities held outside class hours.
2.6 Students pay for their own textbooks. Part of this cost is refundable on the completion of the course and the return of the textbooks.
2.7 Exam fees for IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and Cambridge examinations are an extra cost.
2.8 All tuition fees include the New Zealand Government Goods and Services Tax (GST) - 12.5%. Any changes to this tax would affect the quoted fees.
2.9 Fees cannot be transferred to any other institution or student.
2.10 If any services or facilities included in the fees are not used, except for unused accommodation, no refund or deduction can be granted (except where Sections 3.1 and 3.2 apply).

3. Cancellations
3.1 Cancellations made in writing at least fourteen (14) days before course commencement will result in a full refund of the course and homestay fees.
3.2 Cancellations made in writing less than fourteen (14) days before the course commencement or within the first 7 days of the course will result in a refund of all fees except for 10% of the total fee or NZ$500, whichever is the lesser.
3.3 Tuition fees for students whose course is more than six weeks are held in a trust account.
3.4 Where a refund has been made, NZ Immigration Service will be informed that the student has withdrawn from RELA. After a refund, the student visa becomes invalid.
3.5 Refunds on compassionate grounds may be granted at the discretion of the Directors.
3.6 In the event of a course being cancelled by RELA, all unused tuition and homestay fees will be refunded.

4. Homestay Accommodation
4.1 Homestay accommodation includes morning and evening meals from Monday to Friday and all meals on weekends and Public Holidays.
4.2 Any requests for cancellations or changes to homestay accommodation must be made to RELA at least 7 days before the cancellation or change. Failure to allow this amount of time may mean an extra payment of 7 days accommodation fee.
4.3 Homestay fees are paid to RELA at the time of enrolment.
4.4. A fee of NZ$30.00 per week is payable to the homestay family to reserve accommodation during a period of absence.
4.5 In arranging homestays RELA acts only as an agent. The student is responsible for providing insurance to cover accident, illness or damage to property which may happen during the student's stay with the host family.

5. School Rules
5.1 The rules of RELA are to help the Academy run smoothly and students must keep to these rules as a contractual condition of enrolment.
5.2 Should a student not comply with the Academy rules and the laws of New Zealand, the school reserves the right to expel the student. A student can be expelled because of unacceptable conduct, an unsatisfactory attitude towards work or poor attendance. Any expelled student may forfeit all tuition fees.
5.3 The New Zealand Immigration Service will be informed if a student is expelled.

6. Assessment of prospective international students
6.1 RELA offers courses at all levels, from beginners to advanced, so any standard of competence in English is acceptable.
6.2 Students under the age of 18 must provide evidence of their school record to prove that their academic standards and attitude to study are good enough to complete a RELA course.
6.3 Students wishing to take examination courses (e.g. IELTS) have to show that they can meet the demands of the course. They may be asked to take a pre-entry test.

7. Liability and Insurance
7.1 RELA shall not be liable if the services contracted for cannot be provided for reasons beyond its control.
7.2 RELA reserves the right to change its courses if deemed necessary.
7.3 RELA is not liable for any damage, loss or injury to students or property, however caused, except where this liability is imposed by New Zealand law.
7.4 Students must have suitable Medical and Travel Insurance during their time in New Zealand. RELA can purchase for the student from Uni-care insurance suitable for New Zealand circumstances.

8. Minors
RELA recognises that students under 18 need special care and supervision after school. Host families will be asked to provide this.

9. School Closing Dates
RELA is open all year. It closes only for public holidays including Christmas (2 days) and New Year (2 days).

10. School Hours
Morning Classes: 8.30am - 12noon. Monday to Friday
Afternoon Classes: 1.00pm - 3.00pm. Monday to Thursday
Friday 1.00pm - 3.00pm. Students may join the school activity or join self study class.

11. Validity
These conditions take effect from 06/04/06 and remain valid until revised by RELA.

12. Change of address
Students must inform the school if they change where they live. Students under 18 must inform the school if their parents' address changes.

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Refund Policy

Refunds of tuition fees

1) For courses up to and including four weeks and six days

a) Where an international student withdraws within the first two days of the course RELA may keep up to 50 percent of the full amount of any payments made by the student to the school; and must refund the balance to the student.

a) Where an international student withdraws within the first five days of the course RELA may keep up to 25 percent of the full amount of any payments made by the student to the PTE for the course; and must refund the balance to the student

3) For courses of three months or more

a) If you cancel within the first eight days, you will receive a refund of all course and registration fees, less $500 or 10%, whichever is the lower amount. 

4) Students who withdraw before the course commences will also be subject to the above criteria. That is they will be entitled to a refund less any amounts allowed to be retained by RELA as noted above.

5) If you are under 18, then we will discuss with you, your parents and agent the best way of refunding this money, so that all parties agree.

6) If you arrive late, are absent, or leave early, you will receive no refund.  If there are compassionate reasons, the Directors may use their discretion.  This may happen if you are in hospital, or have a doctor's certificate or give evidence that the problem is beyond your control.

7) You may have extra holidays if the Directors agree.  We do not usually agree to holidays in the first three months of the course.  We do not refund fees, but the Directors may agree to extend the course by the number of days missed.

8) We do not refund fees for New Zealand public holidays.

9) We do not refund fees if you are asked to leave the school because of misbehaviour or poor attendance.

10) Fees cannot be transferred to any other institution or student.

11) When a refund is made Immigration New Zealand will be informed that you are finishing early.  This may affect your visa.

Refund of Homestay Fees

1. If you move out of your Homestay before the end of your contract, the portion of your Homestay fees not already used will be returned to you. The Homestay Placement Fee of $150 ($200 in 2010) cannot be refunded.
   
   
2. To have your Homestay Fees returned, you must write to the Directors giving one week’s notice, or pay one week’s fees in lieu of notice.
   
   
3. If you cancel your Homestay contract before you move into the Homestay, your fees will be refunded in full, less the Homestay Placement Fee of $150 ($200 in 2010).

 
This refund policy may be changed by RELA at any time, for example, following changes in NZQA requirements. For the most up-to-date refund policy consult our website http://www.rela.co.nz/enrolinfo.htm#Refund

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Fees Protection Policy

Rotorua English Language Academy provides its students with protection against the loss of their fees in the event of insolvency, closure, voluntary withdrawal of a course by RELA or withdrawal of school accreditation.

The Academy protects student fees by depositing them in the Trust Account managed by the Public Trust. This is a New Zealand Government guaranteed Student Fee Trust Account, with progressive withdrawal of fees by the school during the student’s course. On arrival in New Zealand, the student is asked to sign an application for the operation of his or her Student Fee Trust Account.

Fees for full-time courses of 1 or 2 weeks, as well as part time and activity courses of 1,2 or 3 weeks are exempt from fees protection requirements.

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Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students

The Rotorua English Language Academy (RELA) has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website at www.minedu.govt.nz.
English Version
Translations

Immigration :
Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at www.immigration.govt.nz.

Eligibility for health services :
Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly-funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website at www.moh.govt.nz.

Accident Insurance :
The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at www.acc.co.nz.

Medical and Travel Insurance :
International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand

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RELA Attendance Policy

1. All students are required to be at school for 80% of the hours that they have enrolled for.
2. If students are late for school, they will be marked as late in the attendance register.
3. If students arrive after 10.30am, they will be marked as absent.
4. If students leave school at 10.30am, they will be marked as absent.
5. In the afternoons, if a student arrives or leaves at 2.00pm, they will be marked as absent.
6. All students who wish to be absent must phone or come to the office.
7. Students who are sick for more than 3 days must get a doctor’s certificate.
8. If students want to take a holiday, they must first come to the office and ask permission. If they do not, they will be marked as absent.

a. If students are under 18, they must get written permission from their parents to take a holiday.
b. Students on a student visa can only take a holiday after they have studied for more than 12 weeks. They can then only take two weeks holiday for every 12 weeks they have studied.

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RELA's School Rules

We hope all students have an enjoyable time at Rotorua English Language Academy. These rules will help you to do well at your studies and also will help to make the school a pleasant place for you to study at.

Please Keep These Rules!
1. Students must obey all New Zealand Government laws, rules and regulations.
   
2. Students must attend at least 80% of classes. School disciplinary procedures will apply to both student visa holders and holders of other visas if you do not obey this rule.
   
3. Students absent from class due to illness for more than 3 days should provide the school office with an appropriate medical certificate, issued and signed by a registered medical practitioner.
   
4. Students arriving late for class will be marked as late on the roll. Lateness is not acceptable as it causes annoyance to both teachers and other students. Students absent from class for personal reasons should tell the School Office.
   
5. Students must try hard to complete all class and home assignments set by their teachers.
   
6. Students must not behave in a manner which is disruptive to the school or to the classes.
   
7. Students should be polite to all other students and to all members of the school staff.
   
8. Students must not behave in a manner which discriminates against other students or staff because of race, nationality, religion, sex, age, etc.
   
9. No smoking inside the school buildings. This includes the toilets.
   
10. No eating and drinking in the classrooms during class times.
    
11. No alcohol on the school premises or on school activities.
    
12. Students must not damage school property or litter the school premises.

Students can be expelled because of unacceptable conduct, an unsatisfactory attitude towards work, poor attendance or if convicted of an offence against New Zealand laws, including driving laws.

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Student Rights for Adult Students

Students may expect:
1. to be granted all rights and protection to which they are entitled under the Education Act and NZQA requirements.
   
2. to be provided with the classes and courses for which they have enrolled.
   
3. that class will begin on time.
   
4. not to be disturbed by other students arriving for class unnecessarily late.
   
5. to be able to speak to the Student Counsellor if they are absent from class due to personal reasons.
   
6. to be provided with feedback, where appropriate, on all completed class and home assignments.
   
7. not to have their work copied or plagiarised by other students or by staff.
   
8. to be treated courteously by all other students and all members of the school staff.
   
9. not to be discriminated against, by other students or by staff, due to race, nationality, religion, sex, age etc.
   
10. not to have people smoking inside the school buildings during class times.
    
11. that there will not be eating and drinking in the classrooms during class times.
    
12. that alcohol will not be drunk on the school premises.
    
13. that the school property will be kept in satisfactory condition and that the campus will be kept clean and tidy.
    
14. to be provided with a student identification card.
    

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Complaints Procedure

This is what you should do if you are unhappy about anythng at the school:

1. Talk to your teacher or the office staff
Or

Talk to the Manager or Director of Studies if you have a problem to do with your course or a teacher.
Or

Talk to the Homestay Manager if you have a Homestay problem.

2. If you are still unhappy,
talk to or write to the Principal

You can talk to a language counsellor in your own language.

3. If you are still unhappy, you can ring the 24 hour hotline of ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND - phone 0800 106108 - or you can write to English New Zealand, PO Box 2577, Auckland 1140
Or

3. If you still feel your problem has not been solved, you may contact the International Education Appeal Authority, Tribunals Unit, Level 1, 86 Custom House Quay, Private Bag 32001, Panama Street, Wellington. Email: ieaa@justice.govt.nz. Website: www.minedu.govt.nz.
Telephone 0064 4 462 6660, Fax 0064 4 462 6686.

4. You can also contact the New Zealand Qualifications Authority for help on any matter – 0800 QAHELP (0800 724 357). You can also write to The Complaints Officer, Approvals, Accreditation and Audits (AAA), New Zealand Qualifications Authority, PO Box 160, Wellington. A "Complaints Kit for Formal Complaints about Providers" is available from the NZQA website www.nzqa.govt.nz/for-learners/rights/complaints.html . This gives detailed information about how to make a complaint with the AAA.

You must be able to show them that you have tried to get the school to act before you contact them. They will consult the school to see if anything can be done to help you.

If you do have a problem please ask for help while it is still a little problem. Do not wait for it to become a big problem. If you are not confident that your English is good enough you can always bring a friend who has better English. At any time, you may use a friend or supporter to ensure that your interests are represented.

We hope your stay at Rotorua English Language Academy will be a happy one.

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School Counsellors

We have school counsellors available to speak to you in your own language. If you need to talk to one, please come to the office and ask for your counsellor’s phone number.

We also have a school Counsellor available to help you at any time.

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Medical Insurance

We require all students to take out Medical and Travel Insurance. RELA staff can arrange this for students through Uni-Care www.uni-care.org.

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Public Holidays

RELA only closes on the following Public Holidays:

New Zealand Public Holidays 2010

New Zealand Provincial Holidays 2010

New Zealand Public Holidays 2011

New Zealand Provincial Holidays 2011

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