Polices & procedures

It is the responsibility of every student to read the following procedures before enrolling in any courses run by Ace Aquatics

Fees

Fees are subject to change and students should confirm current fees prior to enrolment or re-enrolment. Ace aquatics reserve the right to review and alter prices without prior notice.

All courses are to be completed, from the date of receipt, within six months.

Fees may be paid

1. Up–front, prior to the commencement of the course

2. Using our fortnightly direct debit facility over a period of not more than 6 months after a deposit has been paid. However, these terms may be subject to change without notice.

Deposit Required

A minimum deposit for each course is required with the enrolment form and needs to be received at least five days before the scheduled commencement date of the selected course. Deposits vary from course to course and are outlined in the fee schedule.

Balance of Fees

The balance of tuition fees must be paid 7 DAYS prior to the scheduled commencement date (unless the Direct Debit option has been has been selected).

Refunds, Transfers and Cancellations

· There is a ‘14 day cooling off’ period from the date of signing the enrolment form but prior to the commencement of a course.

· If any enrolment is cancelled prior to the scheduled commencement date, a cancellation fee equal to the deposit for that course will apply.

· If an enrolment is cancelled half way or less through a course, after the commencement date, a cancellation fee of 50% of the fee will apply.

· If an enrolment is cancelled half way or more through a course, after the commencement date, a cancellation fee of 100% of the fee will apply.

· A student may transfer to another course date once without cost providing the course is commenced within 6 months of the original course date. If more than one transfer occurs another deposit will be required.

· Students who are enrolled in a course and do not show up without notifying Ace Aquatics prior to the commencement date will be charged a re-enrolment fee of 25% of the individual course cost to transfer their course to another date.

· Ace Aquatics reserves the right to vary fees, curriculum and dates without notice and liability.

Students wishing to cancel or transfer from the course originally enrolled in will be required to place their request in writing, explaining their reason for cancellation or transfer. The request and circumstances will be reviewed and the final decision will be at the discretion of Ace Aquatics.

Course Completion

Assessment must be completed and the student deemed competent within 6 months from the finish date of the course. If this does not occur the student will be required to resit the entire course and pay 100% of the tuition fees. If a student wishes to participate in the same course within the 6 month period they may do so without extra cost.

Access and Equity

Ace Aquatics will facilitate equitable access to all programs for clients irrespective of their gender, culture, linguistic background, race, location, socio-economic background or disability. This includes support within reason and which is practical for students with a literacy and/or numeracy impairment through:

· Assistance or modification of training programs such as a slower pace in teaching, extra tutorial sessions, a learning buddy, or a peer note taker

· Assistance or modification of assessment activities such as extended assessment time, verbal assessments, extra tutorials prior to assessment, extra opportunities for practice and the opportunity to re sit assessments.

Every client who meets the entry requirements (if applicable) as prescribed by the appropriate course will be accepted into any training and/or assessment program.

Some programs may have a limited number of vacancies and these will be filled in a chronological order upon completion of enrolment. Admission procedures will therefore be free of discrimination, and if an individual does not meet entry requirements, all attempts are made to assist them to identify alternative courses of action.

Ace Aquatics will use the following strategies to implement this policy:

· Students will be asked to self identify;

· If they have a literacy or numeracy impairment

· If English is a second language spoken at home

· The assistance or modification they may need to complete the training program they have registered for

· The assistance or modification they may need to complete the training program they have registered for

· Ace Aquatic’s staff will be required to;

· Make contact with clients who have self identified that they have a special need and discuss special arrangements and requirements

· Maintain confidentiality regarding the students special need and requirements

· Use appropriate language

· Modify activities to support the learning process of the student within the training and fully accommodate student needs

· Modify assessments to accommodate student needs and requirements

Student Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct has been developed to engender good communication, collegiality and a helpful learning environment at Ace Aquatics.

Students of Ace Aquatics are expected to behave in a manner which promotes the well being of themselves and others whilst participating in their courses.

Specifically during lectures, whilst participating in practical sessions and other related learning locations students are expected to:

· Observe all Ace Aquatics policies and procedures, including those relating to student misconduct, cheating and plagiarism, confidential information, privacy, and all legal, legislative, health and safety requirements;

· Act in a manner that does not bring Ace Aquatics into disrepute;

· Respect the rights and dignity of other people, affording them all common courtesy and assistance, and not discriminating in any deliberate way;

· Be positive and supportive of those studying and working in Ace Aquatics environment;

· Follow all lawful instructions from Lecturers and authorised Ace Aquatics personnel;

· Refrain from eating, drinking and smoking in class, or related learning areas;

· Attend on time and remain in all sessions until the completion of the session;

· Participate appropriately during class and other related activities;

· Refrain from talking excessively or at inappropriate times so as to cause disruption to the achievement of learning outcomes of others;

· Turn off mobile phones so as not to distract other students’ learning; and

· Speak to other students and the Lecturer in a proper manner, not causing distress.

Students must not:

· Attend classes, clinics, laboratories and other related learning activities while under the influence of alcohol or any drug that has an adverse effect on their behaviour, learning or participation;

· Engage in behaviour which could be considered threatening, harassing, intimidating or abusive in any way (verbally or non-verbally);

· Be in possession of any object that could potentially inflict harm on self or other person;

Note:

Unless people are enrolled in units of study, they may not attend classes unless approved by Ace Aquatics.

Disciplinary Action

Any breaches of behavior or where individual behavior impacts on group learning and / or harmony, the course presenter have the right to follow the following steps:

1. Give a verbal warning - Speak to the student, identifying the issues that are of concern.

2. The Presenter will inform the Education Manager – Management will be informed of all behavior and this will be recorded on the student file.

3. If the behavior continues - The student concerned may be asked to leave the course (Under these circumstances the student will not be eligible for a refund).

Note: The student has the right to appeal or lodge a complaint at any time (against either the content of what is being alleged or the process that is being used) and should be informed accordingly.

Student Misconduct

In addition to cheating or plagiarism, other forms of student misconduct may occur. Misconduct is defined as relating to a student who, without reasonable cause, deliberately behaves in any of the following ways:

1. Breaches any Ace Aquatic’s rule or instruction or fails to comply with the lawful direction of an Ace Aquatic’s officer;

2. Acts or omits to act in a manner that may endanger the safety or health of another person;

3. Unlawfully attempts to, or assaults, or causes a person to hold a reasonable fear for his or her safety or well-being;

4. Significantly impairs the ability of a person to participate in any legitimate Ace Aquatic activity;

5. Acts in a manner that disrupts the peace and good order of Ace Aquatics or brings it into disrepute;

6. Divulges confidential information relating to an Ace Aquatics matter;

7. Causes damage to, or loss of property of Ace Aquatics;

8. Makes a false representation regarding him or her as an Ace Aquatic’s student;

9. Abuses, harasses, bullies, intimidates or threatens Ace Aquatic’s staff or students (including sexual harassment);

10. Breaches Ace Aquatic’s policy, including intellectual property, discrimination, facilities, health and safety, ethics and professional standards; 11. Breaches any Act of the Commonwealth or State to which Ace Aquatics is subject, while at Ace Aquatics or its premises (including any criminal actions and racial discrimination).

Student Complaints and Appeals

This Policy is designed to facilitate confidential resolution of complaints with a minimum of delay and formality for any student or member of the public who believes that they have been unfairly treated and has a complaint against Ace Aquatics.

Such complaints may include, but are not limited to, academic matters, discrimination, complaints related to access and conditions, complaints related to teaching or support services and provision of Ace Aquatic’s facilities.

In this Policy the term 'the parties' means the aggrieved party (and any person who represents the aggrieved party) and any member of staff or any part of Ace Aquatics being the other party (and any person who represents that member of staff or Ace Aquatics entity).

The steps detailed below identify that complainants have four key stages at which the complaint may be dealt with. The complainant will not be victimized or discriminated against in any of the following four stages.

Stage 1: Informal approach

The aggrieved person is encouraged to resolve the difficulty with the staff member(s) in question, in an informal manner. In the case of academic concerns the matter should be taken up with the lecturer concerned and if a resolution cannot be reached with a Director of Ace Aquatics. In the case of an administrative matter it should be taken up with the administrative staff member who handled the matter and if a resolution cannot be reached, discuss the matter with a Director of Ace Aquatics. In the case of provision of facilities the matter should be taken up with a Director of Ace Aquatics.

Stage 2: Written complaint

If the complaint is still unresolved, the complainant may submit the complaint in writing to the Director of Ace Aquatics. The Director will deal with the complaint within a reasonable time, normally within 10 days of receipt of the complaint.

Stage 3: External Dispute Resolution.

If the matter remains unresolved, then the complainant may request it be dealt with through an external dispute resolution process or external mediator. This stage of the process will be dealt with in a reasonable time, normally within 30 days. There may be a cost to the complainant for this service.

The complainant has the right to be heard on the matter of the complaint at any hearing and may be accompanied by a support person when meeting with the Ace Aquatics to discuss the complaint.

At all stages of the process, reasons for decisions and actions taken will be given to the complainant in writing.

Assessment Appeals

1. Request that your assessment be reviewed by the assessor to identify any unusual or incorrect marking, or to identify where you did not perform well. This can be achieved via the telephone or proceed to step 2.

2. Make an appointment to sit down with assessor and review the assessment to identify the difficulties. At this stage a learning difficulty may be identified that was previously undetected. In this case a verbal assessment may be arranged. If at this point a suitable solution has not been agreed upon proceed to step 3.

3. The assessor will liaise with the director to seek a solution. This will require up to 7 days. If at this point a suitable solution has not been agreed upon proceed to step 4.

4. The Director, may choose to call a meeting with the lecturer, assessor, student, self and any other interested parties (e.g. parents) in order to find, and later, action a resolve.

5. If unsuccessful, the student may request the assistance of an independent mediator at the students own expense in attempt to reach an equitable and reasonable solution.

6. Ace Aquatics will provide the appellant with a written statement of the appeal outcome.

Privacy Policy

Ace Aquatics abides by the amendments of the Privacy Act 1988 that regulate the collection, use and storage of Personal Information by private sector organizations. This policy outlines how personal information of individuals is managed by Ace Aquatics.

In these guidelines, Personal Information includes:

· name

· address

· telephone/fax number

· email address

· postal address

· other information that may identify an individual, such as a photograph

· other information about an individual whose identity can be ascertained from that information.

There are ten National Privacy Principles that Ace Aquatics abides by in the manner that they collect, use and store Personal Information:

Collection of Information

Ace Aquatics does not seek to collect Personal Information unless that information is necessary for one or more of its functions or activities;

1. As far as is reasonable and practicable to do so, Ace Aquatics will seek to collect Personal Information about an individual from that individual;
2. Ace Aquatics will collect Personal Information only by lawful and fair means and not in unreasonably intrusive ways;
3. Where Ace Aquatics collects Personal Information from an individual, they will take reasonable steps to ensure that the individual is aware of:
1. the identity of Ace Aquatics and how to contact it;
2. the fact that the individual is able to gain access to the information;
3. the purposes for which the information is collected;
4. the organizations or types of organizations to which Ace Aquatics usually discloses information of that kind;
5. any laws that require the particular information to be collected;
6. Consequences (if any) for the individual if all or part of the information is not provided.

Use and Disclosure

Ace Aquatics may use or disclose Personal Information when:

· The intended use is related to the primary purpose of collection

· The use or disclosure of the information is for a secondary purpose such as external auditing

· The individual has consented to the use or disclosure

· The information is not sensitive information and is used for the secondary purpose of direct marketing.

Data Quality

Ace Aquatics will take steps to ensure that the Personal Information that it collects uses or discloses is accurate, complete and up-to-date.

Data Security

Ace Aquatics will take reasonable steps to protect the Personal Information it holds from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.

Accessing Information

Where Ace Aquatics holds Personal Information about an individual, it will provide the individual with access to that information on request by the individual or a when Ace Aquatics receives a written authorization allowing another person access to their Personal Information.

Anonymity

Whenever it is lawful and practicable, individuals dealing with Ace Aquatics will have the option of not identifying themselves. Any individual who proposes to transact with Ace Aquatics should expect that Ace Aquatics is likely to require full and complete disclosure of name, address, contact telephone numbers, postal address and email address.

Data Flows

Ace Aquatics will transfer Personal Information to someone who is in a foreign country only when requested and with written permission by the individual.

Sensitive Information

Ace Aquatics will collect sensitive information about an individual only where the individual has consented or where the collection is required by law.

Employee Records

Employee records include records relating to the engagement, training, disciplining, resignation, termination, terms of conditions of contract details, performance or conduct, remuneration, union membership, health information and financial affairs. Ace Aquatics will use employee records for employment related purposes only and will not divulge employee personal information without permission of the employee or for commercial purposes.