Attendance

As leaders in training, on campus students are expected to be diligent in their attendance at all timetabled classes, practical training sessions, and College activities. Attendance at these is a requirement of the College, and students are expected to attend all sessions for which they are enrolled. For International Students attendance in all classes is required as part of their Student Visa.

Students are not permitted to attend classes for which they are not enrolled.

Absences are allowed for exceptional circumstances such as sickness or trauma.

Class attendance is tracked by the College via electronic scanners.

Attendance is recorded for accredited classes from enrolment day until the end of each semester. This includes Intensive week lectures and activities. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they scan in using their Student ID card.

Any student that is recorded absent from classes during a week of study will be followed up by their Trainer in their weekly tutorial. The student will be required to provide an explanation of their absence, and potentially agree to modify behaviour if necessary to meet the College’s attendance expectations. The Trainer will make the appropriate comments on the student’s record.

Late enrolments will be noted as non-attendance for classes missed.

Students who believe their attendance has been incorrectly recorded as absent can provide evidence of their attendance through the Missed Class Forms available for each class missed via their Student Portal. Any class that was not attended can be explained but it will not alter the student’s attendance records. Missed Class Forms need to be submitted within 3 weeks of the missed class. After this time has elapsed the forms will be locked and a fee will be charged to unlock them to submit the form.

Students enrolled in an HE subject are required to meet an 85% minimum attendance standard.


If a student’s attendance in an HE subject falls below 85% but is at least 70% of the projected attendance for the subject, the student may be approved (upon request) to continue in the subject with the low projected attendance. Subject Facilitator or Lecturer approval is based on evidence of extenuating circumstances. If a student’s attendance falls below 85% of the projected attendance for the subject during the semester or at the ‘end of semester’, without prior approval, they will be reported to College Registrar. College Registrar will inform the student, in writing, that s/he has failed the subject. For more information about this see, ‘Course Progression Policy’ at: https://www.ac.edu.au/ppm/course-progression-policy/

Online engagement data (rather than ‘attendance’) is monitored by online tutors. The College uses this data to ensure all online students have accessed all essential tutorial content and, course materials. Data assists tutors in monitoring students’ progress through the course accross the semester.

Missed Class Forms

When an on campus class has not been recorded in attendance a Missed Class Form will be generated for each class missed on the Student’s Portal. Each form will need to be submitted online ticking the relevant field of Incorrect Attendance Recorded or Explained Absence and the evidence attached.

Incorrect Attendance Recorded
The student fills out the online form by ticking the Incorrect Attendance box and uploading the evidence that they were in class (evidence examples – notes from class).

Explained Absence
The student fills out the online form by ticking the Explained Absence box and uploads the evidence or reason why they were not in class (examples – Medical Certificate for over 2 consecutive days sick, simple explanation for a day sick, or other reasons). An explained absence will not alter attendance data. This data could assist a student if later they need to reference this sickness for other needs.

Any student who consistently misses classes, and who fails to take the appropriate steps to bring their attendance into line with the College’s expectations, will be placed on an Intervention program, as per the College’s Student Behaviour Policy.

If the student does not comply with the requirements of this program, termination may result (ref: Termination Policy). For international students, this will include reporting to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) via PRISMS by the Administration Dept. Students will be notified in writing by the Registrar prior to this occurring.

Staff in the Administration office are made aware of the reporting requirement to DIBP as part of their induction.

Chapel
Chapel is a vital time full of life and God’s presence where students come together each week, have praise and worship led by the students, prayer and praise reports, and a message from Hillsong staff, guest speakers, or students. In Chapel you will be encouraged, challenged, and given the opportunity to lead others into the presence of God. Chapel attendance is compulsory.

Class Breaks
There will be small breaks between classes. Students are asked not to prolong the break or enter into any activity that may delay the recommencement of classes. NO food or drink is to be consumed during a class, apart from water.

Student ID Cards
Students will be issued at the beginning of each year with a student card. ID cards must be carried with you at all times whilst on the premises and will need to be presented at the library in order to borrow books. If you lose your card, a replacement card can be obtained at College Reception for a small fee.

Practicum Attendance for VET Students

Weekly Practicum attendance is recorded and signed by your Specialist on a weekly basis. Students need to consider both normal class attendance and Practicum attendance as the contributing element to their overall attendance requirements.

In addition, as part of their enrolment into College courses and training for ministry, students are required to fulfill the expectations of leadership in their local church.

Practicum

Practicum Program for VET Students 

The College employs a variety of teaching approaches with a heavy emphasis on learning through practical experience. The College Practicum program is an integral feature of the academic program. Students are able to learn both theory and practice side by side in and through the ministry departments of Hillsong Church. The program includes practical involvement in the daily ministry activities of Hillsong Church and incorporates mentoring, coaching and work placement as part of its scope.

Specialist training

To ensure quality and consistency in practicum training, all specialists must be provided with induction training prior to being assigned a student.

The Practicum induction program ensures that specialists are familiar with:

  • The purpose and focus of work placement
  • How to complete the Practicum Passport
  • How and when to complete the Specialist Feedback Form
  • How to induct students
  • What support is available to them from the Practicum Training Team.

Continue reading “Practicum”

Record Keeping

Record Keeping

  1. The College keeps accurate and up-to-date records of student information. This includes but is not limited to, personal details, academic progress, reports of interviews, college financial records and welfare reports in either hard copy or electronic format. Staff are informed of record keeping processes during staff induction. Our record keeping is stored electronically within CollegeWorx database & hard-copy in students files in the Registrar’s office.
  2. Student files include any forms, records of interviews or results while at College. This covers hard copies or computerised documentation. Examples include, but are not limited to; Application form, Pastoral reference, Salvation testimony, Academic transcripts, records of interviews, any counselling notes.
  3. Access to these files remain confidential and are accessible by defined personnel according to College procedures and privacy legislation. The only people who have access, on a need to know basis, to student files are college staff. Access to files is limited to staff access areas as required.
  4. The student may give written consent for someone other than the people listed above to have access to their files.
  5. Students are required to put a request in writing using the Application to Access Student file form (which can be found on the Student Portal) in order to be given access to their student file.
  6. Student results are retained for a period of 30 years.
  7. Records of completed student assessments are retained for a period of 6 months from which the competence for the student assessment was made.

Student Access to Records

  1. Students may access their college personal records at any time using the Application to Access Student Records form.

Provision of Information

  1. The College supplies accurate and current information to students and prospective students on all relevant matters. This includes, but is not limited to: detailed and realistic estimates of costs of tuition, accommodation and living expenses; course and entry requirements (including but not limited to attendance, academic and ministry matters and standards of conduct), language requirements, status and outcomes of academic programs including recognition given to qualification(s) offered; withdrawal arrangements; refund entitlements; details of facilities and equipment; living conditions and staffing, accommodation availability; internal and external appeals procedures and non academic student support services. International students are encouraged to seek information of their visa conditions directly from the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
  2. The College reviews regularly all information provided to students to ensure its accuracy and relevance.

Children in Classrooms

Children are not permitted in classrooms as Hillsong College is set up as an adult learning environment and not suitable for children. One off occurrence requests will be considered for school-aged children upon submission to the campus Campus Dean. These type of requests will only be considered under special one off circumstances

Student Records

Student records and management
Details of Student Record System

Comprehensive student files are maintained by the Registrar for all students during their time at College. Files are comprised of forms relating to the student’s participation at College (e.g. application form, pastoral reference, records of interviews and academic transcripts).

Student files are stored in both hard copy and computerised form.

Computer Files are stored on the CollegeWorx Student Portal database and relevant documents uploaded there. These are backed-up regularly by the Technology Services Department:

  • Each night, weekly and monthly
  • Offsite monthly (on the network server at the other campus)
  • Hard copy files are stored on location at Hillsong College Head office and non-current student files are archived at the College’s archive storage facility.

Continue reading “Student Records”

Guest Trainers & Lecturers

Guest Trainers and Lecturers

Guest trainers and lecturers should be selected and invited for their individual expertise and the unique contribution they bring to the training of students where this cannot be provided by current faculty resources. Prior approval must be granted by the relevant stream co-ordinators in accordance with budget requirements. If the person has any national or international status, this can only be at the approval of the Executive Vice President.

Guests are remumerated according to standard adjunct trainer and lecturer pay rates. Faculty or subject co-ordinators should prepare trainers files if these trainers are regular guest trainers (even annually), the normal process for payment applies.

Guests who teach in our vocational programs are required to hold the minimum Enterprise Presenter Skill Set.

Validation & Moderation

Validation

The processes used to validate assessment activity in the College’s courses are:

  • Course Development Manager to meet with Subject Convenors to define the appropriate assessment process for each subject prior to delivery
  • Subject Convenors review assessments as soon as completed, recommendations are passed on to the Course Development Manager for approval, any alterations are commissioned
  • Assessors validation meeting is held annually to review all assessment processes
  • Validation happens once prior to initial delivery and then once within the 5 year registration, with 50% completed within the first 3 years.
  • Validation team to include;
    • a qualified trainer from an alternate stream
    • student’s from a higher award (including at least one ESL student)
    • an industry expert

Moderation

Moderation is our quality control process that ensures assessment decisions that are made by staff are brought into alignment so that the same decisions are applied across all assessment results, especially when there are multiple assessors within a subject or course. This process is usually completed before finalisation of the semester. Often moderation is triggered when a student if NYC but very close to Competent, then an assessor will request a moderation by another assessor to ensure competency judgements fall within the rules of evidence and principles of assessment.

Copyright

Copyright

It is important that all personnel are aware of the copyright policies for printed material and music. Unauthorised copies of a work are unlawful. In the classroom setting, the following applies:

Copying Written Text – only 10% of any written work may be photocopied and then only for the purposes of study or research.

Copying Written Music – a copy of music can only be made when an original is already purchased or is owned by the performer or teacher. The actual copy must be marked with the:

  • word  ‘copy’
  • respective Copyright License Number
  • name of whom owns the original
  • purpose the copy is to be used for

Continue reading “Copyright”

Provision of Education

Provision of Education and Training Services

  1. All College courses and curriculum are developed according to its educational philosophy and express the mission and vision statement of Hillsong Church.
  2. The College has policies and management practices which maintain high professional standards in the delivery of education and training services, and which safeguard the educational interests and welfare of students. These standards comply with regulations set by Government bodies. Copies of standards are available on request.
  3. The College maintains a learning environment that is conducive to the success of all students. The College has the capacity to deliver the nominated courses, provide adequate facilities and use methods and materials appropriate to the learning needs of students.
  4. The College monitors and assesses the performance, course attendance and progress of students.
  5. The College maintains a policy of access and equity in the delivery of all its services.
  6. All courses delivered by the College are named appropriately and reflect the level and content students are taught.
  7. The College regularly reviews and updates its courses, and seeks approval with accrediting bodies prior to course changes or before commencing new courses.
  8.  The College recognises prior learning and credit gained at other registered training organisations. The College recognises awards with AQF qualifications and Statements of Attainments issued by other RTOs. Advanced standing is granted on the basis of documented evidence and compliance with predetermined criteria set according to course objectives and curriculum equivalency.