to download our Homestay Information Booklet - Billanook College

International StudentHomestay Policy HandbookWelcome toBILLANOOK COLLEGEBILLANOOK COLLEGECRICOS 00131M

WELCOME TO OUR HOMESTAY PROGRAMMr Roger Oates, PrincipalMr Steven Lingard,Manager, Interanational ProgramsBillanook College welcomes students from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds, both for therelatively short term student exchange experience and as full time, fee paying members of ourCollege community.It is our firm belief that international students gain most from this educational opportunity whenthey are able to live with, and be under the care of, an Australian family. In rare circumstances,where the student may have a confirmed adult relative living within close proximity of the College,consideration may be given to the student residing with that relative as long as the host familyagrees to accept all terms and conditions of the Homestay Program.On occasions, the Student Recruitment Agent, often being the primary source of the studentenrolment, will choose to organise accommodation for the student on a fee for service basis, inaccordance with College approval. This accommodation must be within adequate proximity to theCollege.In the vast majority of cases, Billanook College will undertake to select an appopriate homestayfamily for international students, once their enrolment at the College is confirmed. Where possible,the wishes of the international student and their natural parents are sought and considered in thematching of the student to a specific homestay family. Prospective homestay families are carefullysourced and selected on a range of criteria, including:• the apparent motive for undertaking this important function• previous experience with young people of different cultures• family structure• the level of care and supervision able to be offered• suitability of the homestay location and facilities• the time and effort the homestay family members may be able to devote to this function3PAGE

Working With Children CheckAs part of our legal requirements, all members of your family over the age of 18 must have a WorkingWith Children Check. This check will be classified as Volunteer and therefore does not have a feepayable.To apply, please visit www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au and follow the links for on-line application,which is available from July 2013. Applications can take up to two weeks to be processed. Once youhave received your check, please forward a copy to Sue Bidwell at sue.bidwell@billanook.vic.edu.auor fax 9725 8556.If you already have a Working With Children Check or VIT Registration, please forward a copy to SueBidwell at the abovementioned email or fax number.Ideally, the homestay family becomes a wonderful source of support for the international student,as they adjust to our cultural differences, way of life and educational system in Australia. Homestayaccommodation is co-ordinated by the College in the interests of providing safety, security andstability for international students undertaking studies with us, and in accordance with all studentwelfare regulations imposed by law.As Billanook College issues the Confirmation of Approved Accommodation and Welfare for thevast majority of international students under the age of 18, it is to be noted that the Collegeaccepts full responsibility for monitoring such arrangements in the interests of the welfare of thestudent. Interantional students are NOT permitted to make their own accommodation and welfarearrangements. It is a Condition of Enrolment that such arrangements are to remain in place for thefull duration of enrolment regardless of the student age.This booklet outlines the Homestay Policy of the Billanook College Homestay Program. We trustthat this information will be of great support as the international student and the homestay familycommence the process of forming a mutually rewarding relationship throughout their homestayarrangement.Please do not hesitate to direct questions relating to any homestay or College matter to Mr StevenLingard or Ms Fiona de Lacy.Finally, we wish all parties to the homestay arrangement, the student, their natural parents and thehomestay family members, well as they reap the benefits to be gained from this experience.Roger OatesPRINCIPALSteven LingardMANAGER, INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS4PAGE

COLLEGE CONTACTSPrincipal Roger Oates 9724 1179 registrar@billanook.vic.edu.auManager,International Programs Steven Lingard 9724 1166 steven.lingard@billanook.vic.edu.au0421 993 571Homestay Officer Fiona de Lacy 0418 557 689 fdelacy@optusnet.comHead, Senior School Janeeta Ray 9724 1115 catrina.coraci@billanook.vic.edu.auHead, Middle School Belinda Vertriest 9724 1136 secmid@billanook.vic.edu.auAbsence Line Senior School 9724 4225Absence Line Middle School 9724 4225Health Care Centre 9724 1120 healthcare@billanook.vic.edu.auCounsellor Sarah Inness 9724 1138 sarah.inness@billanook.vic.edu.auSchool Chaplain 9724 1198 chaplain@billanook.vic.edu.auCafe Bill 9724 1176Chief Financial Officer Tony Sheppard 9724 1103 rebecca.boag@billanook.vic.edu.auTransport Co-ordinator Sue Bidwell 9724 1102 transport@billanook.vic.edu.auUniform Shop 9723 2066 thestore@billanook.vic.edu.auReception 9725 5388 contact@billanook.vic.edu.auMain School Fax 9725 85565PAGE

GeneralInformationCollege HistoryBillanook College was founded by a group oflocal parents who wanted to establish a coeducationalprimary and secondary school inthe then emerging outer east of Melbourne.So strong was their belief in an independenteducation built on core values of equity,inclusiveness, social justice, tolerance andactive participation, that they actually mortgagedtheir homes to purchase the land on which theCollege is situated.Their unstinting voluntary efforts provideda firm foundation on which to build. TheCollege commenced on 1 February 1980 with10 teachers, 2 administration staff and 150students who first gathered in the hall of StAndrew’s Uniting Church in Lilydale.Following its establishment on the site, theCollege was incorporated as a company limitedby guarantee and after nearly eight years ofnegotiation was officially recognised as a schoolof the Uniting Church.Billanook was the name the local Wurundjeripeople called the area and the school’s mottoGrowing and Caring was chosen to reflect thevalues and attitudes of the founding families andthe local community. As a school, there was aconscious decision made to be part of the localcommunity. Thus, local history fuelled schooltradition in the naming of the four Houses.Hovell - Blue HouseWilliam Hilton Hovell was a farmer who in 1827explored the south-west part of the DandenongRanges and the plains across to Port PhillipBay.Walling - Green HouseEdna Walling was a renowned EnglishHorticulturist who revolutionisedlandscaping concepts. In 1920 she boughtthree acres of land near where theCollege is today and created the small village ofBickleigh Vale.Weeks - Yellow HouseJohn Weeks was one of the early pioneers ofMooroolbark and owned the landwhere the College now stands.Wurundjeri - Red HouseThe Wurundjeri people, who are part of theKulin Nation, are the traditionalcustodians of the land on which the College islocated.MissionAs a school of the Uniting Church in Australia, our Mission is to develop a dynamic, caring, learningcommunity which fosters the growth of the whole being of each girl and boy - in body, mind and spirit;providing a range of pathways to life-long learning through and beyond academic excellence.6PAGE

GeneralInformationTerm Dates 2014Term 1Staff commenceYear 12 commenceYear 7 commenceAustralia Day HolidayNormal classes commence for whole schoolLabour Day HolidayTerm 1 concludesMonday 20 JanuaryWednesday 22 JanuaryThursday 23 JanuaryMonday 27 JanuaryTuesday 28 JanuaryMonday 10 MarchFriday 4 AprilTerm 2Staff and students commenceAnzac Day HolidayQueen’s Birthday HolidayStudent Free DayTerm 2 concludesTuesday 22 AprilFriday 25 AprilMonday 9 JuneFriday 13 JuneFriday 27 JuneTerm 3Staff PD WeekStudents commenceTerm 3 concludesMonday 14 July - Friday 18 JulyMonday 21 JulyFriday 19 SeptemberTerm 4Staff and students commenceCup Exeat (Student Free)Melbourne Cup DayStudent Free DayTerm 4 concludesMonday 6 OctoberMonday 3 NovemberTuesday 4 NovemberMonday 24 NovemberWednesday 10 December7PAGE

HomestayProgramGuiding Principles for International Students Living in Homestay AccommodationPayment of homestay fees in 2014 being the sum of $1,080 AUD per 28 days, or $1,170 per calendarmonth, is to occur one month in advance. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain a calendaror diary to keep track of when payments are due. The International Student should be given a receiptby the homestay parent at the time payment is made.International Students may prefer to make homestay payments via electronic funds transfer to thehomestay parent. Please discuss this matter directly with the homestay parent.If you as the International Student wish to take a vacation in the Term 1, 2 or 3 break, you will be entitledto a 50% discount on the daily homestay fee per day of your absence, provided your absence is to belonger than seven days. This discount will ONLY apply if you have provided at least two weeks’ noticeto your homestay parent of your vacation plans. No independent travel plans in your vacation may bemade without the prior communication of these plans to the Homestay Officer and without the writtenconsent of your guardian on behalf of your parents and represents a privilege that is only accessible tostudents over the age of 18 years.If you are travelling back to your home country at the end of the academic year for our summer vacationbut intend to return to that homestay residence for the commencement of the new academic year, a newAgreement must be formed for the following year prior to your departure. If you are leaving possessionsat the homestay residence during the summer vacation period, you are required to pay a Holding RoomFee of 20% of the weekly homestay fee, calculated and paid prior to your depature.In the case of organised and published school camp commitments of International Students, the studentis entitled to a “reasonable” reduction in homestay costs for the period of absence. At direction by theCollege to the homestay family, such a daily reduction shall be 50% of the scheduled daily fee.12PAGE

HomestayProgramAs a member of a homestay family, you are expected to:• communicate openly with other homestay members and ask questions when you are unsure of anymatter• respect the homestay family members and their property• be prepared to join family members in family activities where possible• respect directions from homestay parents regarding times when you should be home and timeswhen you should be settling for sleep, in the interest of your welfare• inform the homestay parent, preferably in advance, if you are not intending to be home for a meal• seek permission from the homestay parent, in advance, before inviting a friend or visitor into thehomestay residence• always communicate your contact details to the homestay parent when you are not under theircare/supervision, always have mobile phones switched on so that you are able to respond to anyattempts to contact you• maintain a tidy bedroom and contribute to the order and tidiness of your homestay residence, as anymember of the family would be required to do• report any damage for which you may be responsible in the homestay residence to homestay parentas soon as possible• pay for any STD or international phone calls or internet access fees directly attributable to youNB: The cost of internet access will be determined by negotiation in the presence of the HomestayOfficer.The cost of reasonable internet access is included in your homestay fee. In the event thatthe internet access is not considered adequate by the student, they should raise the matter withthe Homestay Officer.13PAGE

HomestayProgramSupport Offered by the College with the Homestay PlacementsThe Homestay Officer undertakes to:• source, select and prepare prospective homestay families for this important function• be accessible at all reasonable times (no later than 9.00pm) for both members of the homestayfamily and the International Students should there be any issue of concern requiring intervention,advice or assistance. Phone calls/contact after 9.00pm should only be made in urgent/exceptionalcircumstances. In any instance where the Homestay Officer knows in advance that they will not beaccessible, an alternative College staff member will be delegated this function and communicationof contact details will occur in writing to the homestay family before these alternative arrangementsare put into place• regularly initiate communication with both theInternational Student and the homestay parent on theprogress of the homestay arrangement• brief the Manager, International Programs and/or Deputy Principal on any issues relating to thehomestay placement that may require the Manager’s/Deputy Principal’s input or counsel• be the initial arbiter on any matter of dispute relating to the homestay arrangement. The CollegeGrievance Procedures for International Students may be accessed at a later stage if the InternationalStudent wishes• communicate with the student’s guardian or natural parents on any matter relating to the welfareof the student in the homestay placement or within the College in general, as deemed necessary.14PAGE

197-199 Cardigan RoadMooroolbark, Victoria 3138Phone: +61 3 9725 5388contact@billanook.vic.edu.auwww.billanook.vic.edu.auCRICOS: 00131M