Student Handbook 2021 - Making a better world through active participation in a life-transforming global Christian learning community - Excelsia ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Sydney
Student Handbook 2021
Making a better world through active participation in a
life-transforming global Christian learning community
CONTENTS
ABOUT US 4 RESULTS 19
About Excelsia College Transcripts and Results Summary
Our Vision
GRADUATION 19
Our Mission
Our Values LEARNING RESOURCES 20
Our Graduate Attributes Learning Management System (LMS)
Our Teaching & Learning Goals Gordon Moyes Library
What We Believe
STUDENT & ACADEMIC CODE OF CONDUCT 21
GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP 7 Academic and Personal Conduct
Board of Directors Academic Integrity
Academic Staff Personal Liability
Management and Administration Staff
WORK HEALTH & SAFETY (WHS) 22
COURSES 7 WHS Risk Assessment
Course Information Key Emergency Contacts
Course Structure Emergency Training
Gym Membership
FEES 7
First Aid Room
Tuition Fees
First Aid Kits
Administration Fees
Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment
Refund Policy
WHS Risk Assessment
Tuition Assurance
Critical Incidents
Financial Assistance
Security
IMPORTANT DATES 8
HELP DESK 25
Census Date
Academic Enquiries
No Academic Penalty (NAP) Date
Administrative Enquiries
Academic Calendar
Other Support
Course Timetable
STUDENT SUPPORT 26
DELIVERY METHODS 9
Discrimination, Harassment & Bullying
On Campus Units
Public Liability
Online Units
Student Support Centre
Intensive Units
Counselling Services
Extensive Units
Confidentiality
Directed Independent Studies (DISC)
Chaplain
Placements/Professional Experience
Academic Support
ADMISSIONS 10 English Language Support
General Information Career Advice
Admission as Non-Award Student Disability Support
Credits and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Indigenous Support
Student Representative Council
ENROLMENTS 13
Community Gatherings
Enrolments of Units
Privacy
Variation to enrolment
Student Grievances
Deferral and Leave of Absence
Copyright
Course Withdrawal
FACILITIES 29
PROGRESSION 15
General Information
Attendance
On Campus
Assessments
Parking
Grading
Changing Your Personal Details
Submitting Assignments
Extensions to Submission Deadlines FEEDBACK 29
Academic Progression
MAPS 30
Activating Intervention Strategies
ABOUT US
Welcome
The Excelsia College staff would like
to welcome you, and let you know
how excited we are to have you as
part of the Excelsia College learning
community. The College is committed
to providing the kind of education
experience that will transform your life
and help you achieve your personal,
professional and spiritual aspirations.
About Excelsia College
By joining Excelsia College, you will be part of a global Christian
learning community.
Excelsia College is an Affiliate of the Council for Christian Colleges
and Universities (CCCU). CCCU is an international association
which consists of 179 Christian colleges and universities around
the world. the CCCU mission is to advance the cause of Christ-
centred higher education and to help members transform their
lives. The College is also a member of Independent Higher
Education Australia (IHEA), the New South Wales Council of Deans
of Education (NSWCDE), and many other professional bodies
associated with its various teaching disciplines.
4
Our Vision • Service to the Community: and ability to analyse issues
Excelsia contributes to making using our skills and abilities in logically, consider different
a better world through active and beyond the Institution in the options and viewpoints fairly,
participation in a life-transforming service of others. and make informed decisions in
global Christian learning community. • Lifelong Learning: continually relevant artistic, academic and/or
seeking knowledge, wisdom professional contexts and settings.
Our Mission
and capability to flourish and 3. Lifelong Learning. A commitment
Excelsia is an academic community contribute in a changing world. to lifelong learning characterised
benefiting the world by producing by a willingness and ability to
research characterised by exemplary In actively pursuing its mission,
acquire, develop and apply
scholarship consistent with a Christian Excelsia College abides by the
knowledge and skills that
world view and preparing graduates following commitments with
facilitate positive adaptations
to lead in a range of professions. respect to curriculum and learning
to a changing world.
resources. The College provides:
Excelsia College seeks to fulfil its 4. Effective Communication.
• courses and learning resources
mission in higher education by Aptitude in communicating
of high quality and standing,
not only adopting the highest information, arguments and
as determined by regulatory
educational standards benchmarked ideas effectively and ethically
authorities, expert advisors,
on best practices from around the through writing, speech and/or
staff and students;
world, but by listening to student artistic expression as appropriate
feedback, responding to student • curriculum and modes of within each discipline.
concerns, and lovingly challenging delivery to maximise student
5. Christian Ethical Action. A sound
our students to embrace learning access to learning opportunities
knowledge and understanding of
goals that will guide them to and support without
Christian values and beliefs, and
success in life and in a career that compromising quality, equity or
the relevance of Christian faith to
benefits the community. We believe regulatory requirements;
personal life, professional ethics,
there are matchless opportunities • a nurturing and safe teaching and social concerns.
here for academic and personal and learning environment for
6. Self-Direction. A capacity for
development in a caring Christian staff and students grounded in
self-directed learning and activity
environment. We take pride in our Christian faith, compliance with
while working effectively with
graduates who adapt readily to the law, regulatory requirements
others in scholarly, vocational,
the workplace, showing maturity and undertakings;
civic and/or artistic pursuits and
and creativity in the application of • a focus on graduate outcomes. endeavors.
their professional skills to practical The key metrics for success for
situations. 7. Technical Competence.
Excelsia College are achievement
Competence and facility with
Our Values of graduate attributes, student
materials, processes and
satisfaction, course completions
Our values reflect our vision and technologies relevant to learned
and career relevance.
mission: disciplines, generic information
• Christ-likeness: striving to Ultimately, Excelsia College’s literacy and professional practice.
exemplify the life of Christ in our success as a learning community is 8. Responsible Innovation.
commitments, our actions and determined by the positive spiritual, Oriented towards exhibiting
our relationships. intellectual and professional intellectual and artistic
difference it makes to the lives of enterprise, innovation and
• Innovation and Creativity:
its students and staff. independence in constructive,
working with passion and
imagination in a range of Our Graduate Attributes creative and responsible ways.
influential professions, to further 1. Deep Knowledge. A deep, Our Teaching and Learning Goals
God’s transformative work in coherent and extensive 1. Develop in each student a
the world. knowledge of studied disciplines mastery of their discipline.
• Scholarship: creating a culture characterised by intellectual
2. Foster the intellectual autonomy
that values the search for truth, openness, creativity and curiosity.
of students.
supports academic freedom and 2. Critical Analysis. Willingness
rewards rigorous thinking.
5
ABOUT US (continued)
3. Develop the independent
learning skills of students and
academic staff.
4. Promote, encourage and support
expressive competence in
teaching and learning.
5. Enhance the ethical awareness
and social responsibility of
students.
6. Facilitate a positive student
experience and challenge
students to be active members
of a diverse global community.
7. Ensure graduate job readiness
and the capacity for graduates
to make a positive contribution
to society.
8. Provide relevant, challenging
and inspirational teaching and
learning opportunities.
The Learning and Teaching Plan
represents Goal 1 of the Excelsia
College Strategic Plan. In this
way, the Learning and Teaching
Plan represents a fully organised,
integrated and aligned approach
to learning and teaching across
the College that will secure and
sustain learning quality over the he descended to the dead. On the from heaven, was incarnate of the
life of the plan. third day he rose from the dead; he Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and
What We Believe ascended into heaven and is seated became truly human. For our sake
at the right hand of the Father; from he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
The Directors of Excelsia College
there he will come to judge the living he suffered death and was buried.
subscribe to the Excelsia College
and the dead. I believe in the Holy On the third day he rose again in
Constitution which affirms their
Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the accordance with the Scriptures; he
commitment and responsibility in
communion of saints, the forgiveness ascended into heaven and is seated
Clause 7.3 (w) to:
of sins, the resurrection of the body, at the right hand of the Father. He
“maintaining the academic ethos and the life everlasting. Amen. will come again in glory to judge the
of the Company and its staff with living and the dead and his kingdom
The Nicene Creed
fidelity to the Scriptures as the Word will have no end. We believe in the
of God, and with reference to the We believe in one God, the Father, Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
Apostles’ and the Nicene Creeds”. the Almighty, maker of heaven and who proceeds from the Father and
earth of all that is, seen and unseen. the Son, who with the Father and the
The Apostles’ Creed We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, Son is worshipped and glorified, who
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the only Son of God, eternally has spoken through the prophets.
creator of heaven and earth. I believe begotten of the Father, God from We believe in one holy catholic and
in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our God, Light from Light, true God from apostolic Church. We acknowledge
Lord, who was conceived by the true God, begotten not made, of one baptism for the forgiveness of
Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, one being with the Father; through sins. We look for the resurrection of
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was him all things were made. For us the dead, and the life of the world to
crucified, died, and was buried; and for our salvation he came down come. Amen.
6
GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP
Board of Directors The Academic Board oversees the Governance
The Board of Directors has overall educational mission of the College Details are available on our website.
responsibility for the pursuit of the and is responsible for ensuring
academic integrity and quality Academic Staff
College’s mission and for governing
the strategic and operational assurance in teaching and learning. Please see the website for a list of
aspects of the College. It does this The Academic Board is comprised academic staff.
by delegating academic governance of members who are independent
Management and
to its Academic Board, and strategic of the ownership of Excelsia
Administration Staff
and operational governance to its College. This Board communicates
directly with the Board of Directors Details are available on our website.
Executive Management.
and, through the Chief Academic
Officer, with academic staff.
COURSES
Course Information comprising 8 units/subjects each Units weighted as one-and-a-half
Excelsia College offers you a suite of of 6 credit points (or equivalent). units may also be used in some
courses developed in consultation Students will normally complete courses, as follows:
with leaders in their field. The 4 units in each of two semesters, • One-and-a-half-unit = 9 credit
College will give you access to a requiring them to spend 40 hours points = 15 hours per week
vibrant, academically rigorous per week on their studies. student workload.
community. • One unit = 6 credit points = 10
Details of individual courses may be
hours per week student workload
Please see the website for a full list accessed from the Courses page.
(contact hours + study hours).
of courses offered.
• One full-time semester = 4 units Course Unit Outlines
Whether you are a work course = 24 credit points = 40 hours per A course unit outline is an
or a research student, it is your week student workload. important document that outlines
responsibility to be familiar with the necessary information about a
general regulations and the specific Within this structure, some courses
unit, including: the nature of the
regulations for your course. include half-units and/or double-
unit, the learning outcomes of the
units that also count towards a full
Course Structures unit and their link to the Excelsia
semester load of 24 credit points:
College graduate attributes, how
The Course Structures Policy • Half-unit = 3 credit points = 5 the unit is delivered and assessed,
explains how our courses are hours per week student workload. specific requirements a student
designed. Usually, a full-time
• Double-unit = 12 credit points = 20 must meet in order to complete the
student load for a year requires
hours per week student workload. unit successfully; and information
the completion of 48 credit points,
specific to the unit.
FEES
Tuition Fees units (Australian citizens only), or Invoices are issued each semester
c. Request a FEE-HELP loan to cover for tuition fees, and payment
Tuition fees are payable each
the full tuition fees (Australian must be arranged by the end of
semester in advance. You can pay
citizens and eligible students only). Financial Check-in (Orientation
your fees in one of three ways.
Week). In accordance with College
a. Pay the full fees in advance to Eligible students will receive the policy, students who have not paid
Excelsia College, or FEE-HELP Information Booklet and their fees, or taken a FEE-HELP loan,
b. Pay the tuition fees for some of Application from the Registrar’s by the end of Financial Check-in will
your enrolled units up-front and Office. For further information be restricted from accessing classes
request a FEE-HELP loan for the about FEE-HELP visit the Study until financial arrangements have
tuition fees for the remaining Assist website. been made.
7
FEES (continued)
Students using FEE-HELP can check withdraws from study between Financial Assistance
their account balances online, to accepting a place in the course Here are the main categories of
see how much of the FEE-HELP and the Census Date. assistance that may apply to you.
limit they have used and the units b. Throughout your studies you
for which they have incurred a FEE- • Eligible students have access to
can vary your enrolment in
HELP debt. Please note there is a an interest-free loan from the
course units, but a Variation to
delay between the time of incurring Commonwealth Government. FEE-
Enrolment Fine applies if you do
the debt and the record appearing HELP is a loan scheme that assists
this after a certain date.
on the website. If you have a eligible students to pay their
query concerning your entitlement Refund Policy tuition fees. FEE-HELP can cover
balances, you should contact the In certain circumstances a student all or part of a student’s tuition
Assistant Registrar for your School. may be eligible for a refund of fees. A loan fee of 25% applies to
prepaid tuition fees or the reversal of FEE-HELP loans for undergraduate
To log in to myUniAssist you will courses. No loan fee applies to
a FEE-HELP debt. The Refund Policy
need your Commonwealth Higher postgraduate courses.
sets out such circumstances and the
Education Student Support Number
details of the refund process. • Australian citizens and
(CHESSN). This number appears on
your Commonwealth Assistance Tuition Assurance permanent residents can apply
Notice (CAN). for Student Income Support
To protect students in the event
(Youth Allowance, Austudy
Administration Fees that Excelsia College ceases to
or Abstudy) if they meet the
provide a course of study in which
There are a few fees that may apply eligibility criteria. Students
students are enrolled and have
to you at some stage. For example, needing to live away from home
prepaid their fees, the College has
if you change your study choices while studying at Excelsia College
tuition assurance provisions.
the following fees may apply. may be eligible for a relocation
a. A Course Withdrawal Fee For more information visit the scholarship and rent assistance.
is payable if a new student Tuition Protection Service.
IMPORTANT DATES
Census Date fees or a reversal of your FEE-HELP No Academic Penalty (NAP) Date
Census date is the last date on debt for the relevant units. The NAP (No Academic Penalty)
which you can withdraw from a unit The Higher Education Support Date is the last date on which you
without incurring financial penalty Act 2003 defines the special can withdraw from a unit without
(this excludes students withdrawing circumstances that qualify for the incurring academic penalty. If you
from their entire course of study refund of fees, or reversal of a FEE- withdraw from one or more units
– see the Refund Policy for more HELP debt as circumstances which: after the NAP date you will receive a
information). If you withdraw from • were beyond your control, and WN (Withdrawn Fail) grade for each
one or more units after the census unit and this will be reported on
• did not make their full impact until
date you will be liable for the full your academic transcript, as well as
on or after the census date, and
fees of the enrolled units, whether count towards your overall GPA.
you pay them directly to Excelsia or • were such that they made it
impractical for you to complete Exceptions to this can be made
defer payment through FEE-HELP.
your study requirements. under special circumstances in the
You cannot withdraw after the
same manner as outlined above
census date without incurring To be considered for special
for Census Date. Only applications
a fees debt. circumstances under the Act, you
that meet the above criteria will
However, if after the census date must make application to the
be considered. Applications can
you become seriously ill, or other Registrar within 12 months of the
be made using the Application for
unforeseen circumstances over date you withdrew from the unit(s)
Special Consideration form.
which you have no control result in concerned, using the Application
you being unable to continue your for Special Consideration with Calendars and Timetables
studies, you can apply for special supporting evidence attached. Please see the website for your
consideration which, if granted, Please see the Academic Calendars relevant academic calendar and
could result in a refund of prepaid for the census dates applying to course timetable.
your course.
8
DELIVERY METHODS
Excelsia College course units which Intensive Units discipline and motivation needed
form part of accredited awards may Classes are held over a short to succeed and will also look for a
be presented using different (intense) period. Pre-reading is suitably qualified lecturer who can
delivery modes, with the differences normally required, and study act as supervisor. Once this has
being mainly about access rather and assignment tasks completed been established, application for a
than content or outcomes. Most in the remaining weeks of the DISC is as follows.
units are delivered through weekly teaching period. a. Student takes a Directed
classes on campus. Others are Independent Study Contract
Extensive Units
delivered online. The College is to the Lecturer.
moving towards a blended delivery Classes are held over a few weeks
mode that includes online support or weekends. Again, pre- reading is b. Lecturer draws up the unit
for face-to-face delivery. The main usual, and at least one assessment requirements with demand
types of units are: task will normally be completed hours equivalent to those of the
during the extensive, with the unit offered in class sessions.
On Campus Units
balance of assessment completed
Classes are usually scheduled c. Student and Lecturer sign the
in the remaining weeks of the
weekly throughout contract, which will be used to
teaching period.
the semester. guide the unit assessment.
Directed Independent Studies (DISC)
Online Units d. Student completes an Enrolment
Completion of a DISC involves a
Learning and content are delivered or Variation to Enrolment form,
single student working under the
wholly online through our Learning attaches a copy of the contract,
direction of a suitably qualified
Management System. Learning and gives to the Registrar.
member of the faculty for the
is facilitated by a qualified faculty duration of the semester. This is e. Registrar facilitates online
member and is available for the a demanding mode of study, and enrolment in the DISC.
duration of the unit to assist with usually a student is only permitted
learning and understanding of Placements/Professional Experience
to take two such studies in their
content, usually via a combination course. The student approaches These are completed in an external
of online conferences, webinars, the Head of School to discuss the agency under supervision.
and discussion forums. possibility of taking a particular unit Assessment generally involves both
by directed independent study. The the Supervisor in the field and the
Head will look for evidence of the College’s Placement Coordinator.
9
ADMISSIONS
General Information a particular published standard. student has been offered and taken
To qualify for admission to one of In determining the eligibility of a up a place in the award. Non-award
the College’s accredited courses, student to access FEE-HELP the units are not covered by FEE-HELP.
you have to meet the course Admissions Committee shall ensure
Credits and Recognition of Prior
admission requirements. In general, that the student conforms to
Learning (RPL)
undergraduate admissions require sections 104-1(1) and 104-5 of the
Higher Education Support Act 2003. The Teaching and Learning
evidence of completion of the
Committee grants academic credit
Australian Year 12 examination If an applicant is granted for equivalent studies completed
or its interstate or overseas conditional entry pending with an approved higher education
equivalent. Admission to some the fulfilment of admission institution, and RPL (Recognition of
courses requires a minimum ATAR requirements, his/her student Prior Learning) for learning achieved
(Australian Tertiary Admissions status remains conditional until outside the formal education and
Rank) score or equivalent ranking. all requirements have been met. training system. Credit or RPL
Postgraduate admissions normally Specific conditions are detailed awarded will depend on the extent
require completion of a qualifying in the Offer Letter and Written to which such prior learning or
undergraduate degree. Applicants Agreement issued to you when studies satisfy the outcomes of units
with overseas qualifications may be your enrolment is accepted. in the College’s courses. The amount
admitted provided the Admissions
The College processes admissions of credit granted is subject to the
Review Committee accepts the
in accordance with its Student published maximum levels. Certified
applicant’s qualifications as being
Selection and Admission Policy copies of previous study transcripts
the equivalent of the Australian
and Procedure. If successful, the are required for credit applications,
qualification required for entry to
applicant is given an offer of a place. while applications for RPL must be
the course. The College uses the
supported by documentary evidence
AEI-NOOSR Country Education Once the place has been accepted of the learning outcomes claimed.
Profiles Online to research overseas further information will be provided
qualifications. The admission about such matters as orientation, The Head of School or the Registrar
requirements may be accessed from enrolment, credit applications and can assist with questions about
the Courses page on the website. FEE-HELP. credit and RPL. With prior approval,
a student may be permitted to
ESOS legislative framework Please note that only original enrol in a unit at another tertiary
https://internationaleducation.gov. documents or certified copies of institution and, on satisfactory
au/regulatory-information/pages/ original documents will be accepted completion of that unit, have it
regulatoryinformation.aspx as evidence of compliance with an counted towards an Excelsia College
The admissions process for admission requirement. Academic course. This is known as Cross-
international students involves documents in languages other than institutional study. Application for
additional steps. For further details, English must be accompanied by a credit for cross-institutional study
please see the International student notarised English translation. is one of the options on the credit
section of our website. Admission as a Non-Award Student application form.
Applicants whose qualifying studies Applicants may be admitted as non- Applications for credit and cross-
were completed in a language award students to study individual institutional study are made to the
other than English will normally be units without being admitted into Registrar using the Application for
required to demonstrate English the accredited award to which the Credit. When applying for RPL credit,
language proficiency as part of their units belong. They would normally use the Application for Recognition
admission requirements. have to satisfy the prerequisites of Prior Learning.
for the unit(s) and may be required
The required level of language Applications should reach the
to also satisfy the admission
proficiency is published for each Registrar by the end of Orientation
requirements for the accredited
course as a minimum level of to allow them to be processed
award. Attendance and assessment
achievement in the IELTS test or during the first semester of study.
requirements apply to non-award
its equivalent. studies, and students receive Applications submitted after the first
The College reserves the right a grade on completion. Tuition semester of study may experience
to refuse the offer of a place to fees for all units are published significant delays in approval,
those applicants who have not on the website, and there is no which could affect the course
fulfilled the published admissions difference between fees for award load requirements or the course
requirements and may limit the or non-award studies. Non-award completion date.
number of places offered in any units may be articulated into the
one course to those who achieve corresponding award once the
10Where credit granted to Your academic advisors will indicate Units that correspond substantially
international students shortens whether the application for credit with units for which credit has
the time needed to complete the is likely to be approved. Students been given cannot be undertaken.
course through full-time study, should not enrol in units for which See the Credit and RPL Policy and
the Registrar’s Office is required they expect to be given credit. The Procedure for further details.
to report the new course duration Assistant Registrar can help with
and end-date to the Department of advice in relation to enrolment.
Home Affairs through PRISMS.
1112
ENROLMENTS
Enrolment of Units students however, there are is granted for a period of 6 months,
Enrolment involves the selection limitations on this, as overseas but can be extended to a maximum
of units (subjects) for study in a students must maintain of 12 months in exceptional
semester. Enrolment for each compliance with the ESOS Act circumstances. For some courses,
semester at Excelsia College begins and the conditions of their only 12-month deferrals are
with a pre-enrolment process, Student Visa, which requires permitted. Please consult your
whereby the Registrar’s office them to maintain a full-time Program Coordinator for specific
pre-enrols students into their next load of study. details regarding your course.
sequence of units to study based • Credit Points After the completion of at least one
on their individual progression It is important to ensure that semester of studies students may
through the course. Students have you maintain enrolment in the apply for leave of absence from the
the ability to either accept this necessary number of credit points course using the Leave of Absence
enrolment or apply for a variation. each semester. For full-time and Request. Leave of absence may be
It is the student’s responsibility to international students, this means granted for up to 6 months, with
ensure this is correct, so please that you MUST enrol in units to a this period not being counted
check it carefully. total of 24 credit points. Failure towards the overall time taken to
Variation to Enrolment to do so may jeopardise your complete the course. The
enrolment, and for international Department of Home Affairs will
After your initial pre-enrolment in students, can also jeopardise your only allow international students to
units for a given study period or visa status. If at any stage you take leave from study under very
semester, it is sometimes necessary need to reduce your study load exceptional circumstances. The
to vary your enrolment by adding to less than 24 credit points, you Registrar’s office can provide you
and/or withdrawing from units. must seek approval to do so by with more details.
This can be done by students by completing the Reduced Study
Course Withdrawal
making a Variation to Enrolment Load Request form (evidence of
application, but with the following compelling or compassionate Students must notify the Registrar’s
limitations: circumstances must be provided). office of their intention to withdraw
from their course using the Course
• Adding Units For students who are on a Withdrawal Form. Withdrawal from
You can enrol in new units up scholarship, it is important that you your course should be carefully
until the end of the first week also maintain a full-time enrolment, considered, and it is advisable that
of the teaching period. After otherwise your scholarship funding students first discuss this with a
this time, you need to apply for may be cancelled. staff member of their school or
special consideration to enrol
If you need more information, please a member of Student Support.
in the unit, and this is up to the
see your Program Coordinator or the Withdrawal from a course is final, so
discretion of the Head of School.
Assistant Registrar. any decision to return to the course
You must have evidence of
in the future will require a new
compelling or compassionate Deferral and Leave of Absence application, approval of which is not
circumstances in order to do this.
Before the commencement of guaranteed. The withdrawal will take
• Withdrawing from Units studies, an applicant who has taken effect from the date the Registrar’s
You can withdraw from units the offer of a place may defer the Office receives the form. A course
at any time without financial commencement of their course. A withdrawal fee may apply, and
penalty up until Census Date deferral can only be requested if refunds will be subject to the Refund
and without academic penalty the student has not yet begun any Policy stipulated in your Offer Letter
up until NAP Date. For overseas study in their course. Normally this and Written Agreement.
1314
PROGRESSION
Attendance during the semester. Assignments results submitted, and progress of
Class attendance and participation are assessed by the lecturer or individual students.
is critical for student success. supervisor, and students are given
Lecturers are required to ensure
As such, full attendance and detailed feedback. Students must
that marking reflects achievement
participation in all classes is a clear make a reasonable attempt at ALL
against approved assessment
College expectation, and students assessment tasks in order to qualify
criteria published in unit outlines.
could FAIL units on the basis of for a passing grade. Students who
inadequate class attendance and/ do not submit all tasks, despite their Moderation is a three-phase
or participation. Unless otherwise overall mark, will fail the unit and be process that ensures students are
stipulated by the school, students required to repeat. appropriately and consistently
who do not attend a minimum of assessed against the course
Every effort is made to vary the
80% of all classes may be penalized objectives and learning outcomes
nature of assessment tasks to allow
with a fail grade, unless evidence they are required to demonstrate
for different learning styles and to
of compelling or compassionate in each unit. These phases include
ensure a balance in the assessment
circumstances is provided. pre-assessment (before term),
between theoretical understanding
assessment (during term) and post-
Enrolment in a unit indicates and effective practice. The course
assessment (end of term).
the student’s acceptance of unit outlines contain details, criteria
responsibility for attending all class and resources for each assessment Before each study period,
sessions as required, participating task. Students are encouraged to moderation involves preparing
fully in all class activities, and ask the lecturer any questions they to conduct assessments and
completing to an acceptable may have, and to seek clarification provide guidance for students and
standard all in-class (and other) or discuss difficulties in regard assessors. This includes ensuring
assessment tasks and activities. to any aspect of a unit, including that assessment criteria are clear
assessment tasks. Alternative and transparent to students
In addition, absences from class assessment tasks, deemed to be before they start to undertake any
may be used as evidence in cases equivalent to those published in assessment task.
involving unsatisfactory academic the unit outline, may sometimes be
progress and/or academic During the study period, moderation
negotiated between lecturer and
misconduct. activities focus on consistent
students, provided such tasks are in
marking, and quality, timely
Please check your unit outlines accordance with the stated purpose
feedback for students. It occurs
carefully for the attendance and learning outcomes of the unit.
before feedback on the assessment
regulations for each unit to avoid Assessment and progression task is released.
incurring academic penalties. through the program are not
Feedback includes both marks and
Excelsia College requires attendance conditional on acceptance of a
comments. This is to ensure rubrics
at a minimum of 80 per cent of all particular set of beliefs or values,
are consistently applied, regardless
seminars, workshops or lectures, but on fulfilling the requirements
of who is marking the assessment.
unless otherwise stated in a Course and satisfying the assessment
Unit Outline. A passing grade criteria of each unit. There is no At the end of the study period,
can only be achieved in a unit if discrimination against students post-assessment moderation aims
a student has participated in all whose views are at variance with to ensure final grades are complete
unit requirements and satisfied the College’s Christian commitment, and accurate to finalise grades.
all the published assessment or with the particular ways in which
This moderation is important
requirements. The Course Unit this commitment is expressed.
because it quality-assures the
Regulations governing all studies are The Academic Board values results for each unit of study
included with each unit in ExO. consistency in the student and confirms each student’s final
Assessment assessment processes across grade. The Learning and Teaching
the course and seeks to maintain Committee then approves the
Assessment of student performance
assessment standards comparable final outcomes based on the prior
in any unit is continuous or
with those of Australian universities. moderation of assessments.
progressive and is determined at
The Head of School monitors
the end of the semester in which The marks and feedback from the
assessment issues across the
the unit is completed. The grade last assessment task for a unit will
school, checking to ensure that
for that unit is based on the total not be available until final grades
assessment tasks are appropriately
marks gained. Coursework units are confirmed. Opportunities for
spread rather than clustered into
are assessed on the basis of varied improvement are identified and
one or two weeks, and discussing
tasks presented at different times reviewed to improve units of study.
with the faculty expected standards,
15PROGRESSION (continued)
Grading
Student performance in a course unit is graded and notified according to the following scale. A new scale has come
into effect from 2019 onwards. Units completed prior to 2019 are graded using the old grade scales as indicated
below. Only letter grades are published, not numerical marks. The level and meaning of each grade is as follows:
Final Grades
H High Distinction 85-100%+ Outstanding level of achievement
D Distinction 75-84% High level of achievement
C Credit 65-74% Intermediate level of achievement
P Pass 50-64% Adequate level of achievement
PC Conceded Pass 47-49% A conceded pass is awarded at the discretion of the
School to a student to pass the unit
N FailFurther information about • Back-up your work regularly. for endorsement, and then to
assessment is available in the • Ensure you have security software the Head for approval. Keep the
Assessment Policy and Procedure. to protect against viruses. original of the approved form and
provide a copy to the Lecturer.
If there is an error in grading, • Get into the habit of printing
students may appeal the result sections of substantial works When submitting work, simply
using Appeal of Assessment Grade. and/or keep comprehensive attach the approved Application
notes to indicate work done for Extension to the front of the
Submitting Assignments before “the computer crashed”. assignment. Extensions are not
Details of assessment tasks and • Keep a printed copy as well as an granted after the due date of the
due dates are published in the electronic copy of work submitted. assessment. For further details, see
course unit outlines on Excelsia the Course Unit Regulations and the
College Online (ExO). Written Your assignments will usually be Extensions Policy and Procedure.
assignments are expected to graded and returned to you with
written feedback within one month Academic Progression
conform to the protocols and
standards set out in the Style of the due date. If this is not possible, The Academic Progress
Manual, and to the minimum you will be advised accordingly. Monitoring and Intervention
assignment standards included Policy and Procedure establishes
Extensions to Submission
in the Course Unit Regulations. the expectation on students to
Deadlines
maintain satisfactory academic
Type-written assignments are Excelsia College requires all progress through a course of
submitted via ExO by midnight students to complete scheduled study in order to complete in the
on the due date. Assessments unit assessment requirements minimum time, and outline the
must be checked through Turnitin by the due dates set. The policy procedures for intervention when
(text matching software) where is that 5% of the possible total- students are considered to be at
provided. After receiving the Turnitin mark is deducted for each day risk of not maintaining satisfactory
Submission Receipt, students must the assignment is late without an academic progress.
write the Receipt ID number on approved extension.
the Assessment Title Page and, Students are responsible for
In general, extensions to maintaining satisfactory progress
only then, proceed to submit the submission deadlines are only
assessment by the due date in the in the course. Academic staff are
granted for circumstances for which responsible for monitoring student
relevant week of the unit. the student is not responsible, and progress in each unit during the
Each assignment must be which prevent the student from semester and employing early
accompanied by an Assessment completing an assessment task by intervention strategies if needed.
Title Page on which the student the due date. Such circumstances Lecturers can identify and offer
makes certain declarations may be summarised under the support to those at risk of not
about the work being your own, following headings: progressing satisfactorily. They look
submitted for the first time, and 1. Medical (with a Medical Certificate for indicators that a student may
acknowledging sources. It is the as supporting evidence); be at risk of failing a unit, including
student’s responsibility to keep a 2. Bereavement (supported by failing to:
copy of each assignment. funeral or similar notice); • maintain participation in class
Each assignment must be 3. Official (evidence of studies activities;
accompanied by an Assessment being significantly interrupted • complete or submit assessment
Title Page on which the student by court, jury duty, immigration tasks;
makes certain declarations requirements, or similar official • achieve satisfactory results
about the work being your own, business over the timing of which against published assessment
submitted for the first time, and the student has no control); criteria for assessment tasks.
acknowledging sources. It is the 4. Unforeseen circumstances of
student’s responsibility to keep a The Head of School checks student
a serious nature (beyond a
copy of each assignment. progress across all enrolled units at
student’s control, for which the
semester end.
Remember, it is your responsibility student is not responsible, and
to keep a copy of each of your which will prevent the student Minimum academic progress is
assignments. from timely submission of an defined as passing over 50% of all
Some tips that may help: assessment task). enrolled units in every semester.
• Save regularly while you are If you need an extension, complete The first time a student fails to
working. the Application for Extension, maintain minimum academic
present it to the relevant Lecturer progress (ie. fails over 50% or more
17PROGRESSION (continued)
of enrolled units), the student will Activating Intervention Strategies explaining to them the seriousness
receive an Academic Warning, • During Semester of this to their continued enrolment.
informing them that they are failing
The lecturer monitors progress at This end-of-semester intervention
satisfactory course progress. After
the unit level. If a student ceases strategy aims to warn students of
a second consecutive time, they will
to maintain satisfactory progress the seriousness of the situation, and
be placed on Academic Probation
in a unit during the semester, the to highlight the need for the student
for the following semester, and
lecturer will normally activate an to access support services and work
intervention strategies activated to
early intervention strategy through closely with staff to ensure they
assist them to achieve satisfactory
discussion of the issues with the succeed in meeting the requirements
progress. Should the student’s
student. Strategies might include of the provisional status.
academic progress again be
arranging for the student to attend
unsatisfactory in the following The Head of School may assign
a tutorial or study group or receive
semester, the student will be a case manager to monitor the
mentoring.
invited to show cause to the Chief progress of a student on probation
Academic Officer (or delegate) If difficulties persist the lecturer and, where appropriate, encourage
why they should be allowed to will normally consult with the the student to identify and address
continue in the course. A student Head of School, who will work any personal issues that may be
who is given permission to continue with the student to provide the influencing academic progress.
studies in the course at that point best opportunity for the student
Students who wish to take a Leave
is normally required to pass all to successfully maintain academic
of Absence or apply to reduce their
enrolled units in the next semester progress. Strategies here may
study load can discuss this with
or forfeit their place. include advising the student to:
their Head of School.
Additionally, a second failure a. complete an academic skills
program; For international students who
in a core unit is regarded as
have failed over 50% or more
unsatisfactory academic progress, b. receive individual case
of the course requirements in a
and the student will receive a management;
study period, the written formal
letter warning them that they are c. attend counselling; notification includes a warning that
at risk of losing their place in the
d. receive assistance with personal failure to satisfy the requirements
course. The student will be placed
issues which are influencing of their probationary status will
on probation for the following
progress; result in them being excluded
semester, and intervention
e. be placed in a suitable alternative from their course and reported to
strategies activated. A third failure
unit within a course or a suitable the Department of Home Affairs.
in the unit will result in the student
alternative course; This will normally lead to the
being invited to show cause why
cancellation of the student’s visa.
they should be allowed to continue f. reduce their course load.
in the course. Re-enrolment will Any formal notification from the
Where a student behaves in a
be by permission of the Chief Registrar will refer students to the
manner that would adversely affect
Academic Officer, and conditions College’s appeals processes and
learning outcomes, the Head of
will apply. advise them that they are able to
School will issue a written warning.
access the Student Grievance
International students must It should be noted, however, that a
Policy and Procedures within 20
maintain minimum academic student heeding this warning may
working days.
progress as a student visa have already missed too much class
condition. The warning letter work to succeed in passing the unit. In summary, the College encourages
sent out the first time a student’s open dialogue between staff and
• End of Semester
academic progress is unsatisfactory students at all stages of the students’
notifies the student that a repeat At semester end students who fail academic program so that problems
of the unsatisfactory academic over 50% of their enrolled units and difficulties can be identified and
progress during the semester of are reported to the Learning and overcome before they affect course
probation may lead to the student Teaching Committee as failing progression. Staff will document
being reported to the Department to maintain minimum academic their monitoring and intervention
of Home Affairs. This may result in progress. They receive with their strategies to ensure students receive
the student’s visa being cancelled. results a written formal notification the best possible assistance to
from the Registrar referring them to achieve their study goals.
the academic progress policy, and
18RESULTS
Transcripts and Results Summary This record includes the results any other time, please complete a
At the end of each semester students for previous semesters, and so Request for Transcript. There is a
will be able to access a Results builds to a complete study record. charge for this service, with details
Summary for the semester through If you need an Official Transcript at on the form.
the Student Portal.
GRADUATION
The College’s academic awards are ceremony. Graduates receive a and indebtedness to the College
conferred by the Excelsia College testamur certifying their completion to the satisfaction of the Finance
Board in a formal graduation of the award, as well as a signed Department. Although Heads of
ceremony. Students wishing and sealed transcript. Schools and the Registrar’s Office
to graduate need to submit an To qualify for graduation a student provide academic guidance to
Application for Graduation to the must complete all requirements assist students in fulfilling course
Registrar’s office by the end of of the course to the satisfaction and graduation requirements, the
October preceding the graduation of the Academic Board, return ultimate responsibility for these
ceremony. The Registrar will all borrowed resources, and matters rests with the student.
confirm eligibility to graduate by discharge all financial obligations
the end of February preceding the
19LEARNING RESOURCES
Learning Management System (LMS)
Excelsia College provides course
materials, assessment submission,
and many resources for the use
of students via the College’s LMS,
Excelsia Online (ExO). Students are
also given access to an Excelsia
College Office 365 account, which
provides email, document creation
and storage using Microsoft Office,
and other applications for their use
during their time at the College.
The student orientation will include
a session on these features. It is
expected that students will use
their College email address for all
communication with staff during
their study.
For any issues relating to ExO or
any similar IT problems, please visit
the online Helpdesk. If you are using
the Helpdesk for the first time, you
will need to go through a sign-up
process. You can access this by assignments. The library has the library (for use in the library
clicking the ‘Help’ button in ExO. printing and photocopying facilities only). The library may also provide
The Helpdesk also provides many as well as group study rooms and a full text electronic copy of the
useful articles to assist you with computing facilities. prescribed texts if they are available
common queries. electronically via SUMMON.
Students are registered as library
Gordon Moyes Library borrowers upon enrolment and SUMMON is software that will allow
are entitled to borrow library library users to search for library
The Gordon Moyes Library
materials and books for two weeks resources across all platforms
provides full academic services
or 7 days (depending on the nature including the library catalogue,
for students and staff, both on
of the material). 7 days loans are electronic books and electronic
campus and remotely. The Excelsia
high demand items and cannot databases. It is available via the
library home page has all the
be renewed. Online students Excelsia Library home page.
links you will need to access the
may borrow material for 3 weeks.
resources of the library including http://excelsia.summon.
Books can be posted out to online
the electronic resources. The serialssolutions.com/#!/
students if necessary.
library has approximately 17,000
SUMMON saves time in searching
physical items and 180,000 full text Students are responsible for
for resources and allows students
electronic books as well as many returning all borrowed materials to
to find a wider range of material.
electronic databases which will the library.
assist you to find reliable articles for Each student will be sent a
Students are encouraged to register
your research. All library resources password (this will be sent to the
and access the NSW State Library.
are accessible via Summon. Excelsia email address) and this
You can access their e-resources,
password along with your student
The library is staffed 9am to 5pm, including the databases and
number will allow you to access the
Monday to Friday, but remains electronic books, by applying for a
electronic resources when you are
open (unstaffed) until 10pm, library card via the link below. It’s a
off campus. This password will also
including on Saturday. The college free service for all NSW residents.
allow students to register and use
and the library are not accessible
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/join-us the printers.
on Sundays. The library staff
can assist you to locate relevant Students are responsible for Your school will advise you where
materials, including book and obtaining their own textbooks. you can purchase the books you
journal articles, as well as assist need. Please contact the library at
A copy of each prescribed text is
you with searching the databases library@excelsia.edu.au or phone us
normally held in closed reserve in
and with the referencing of your on 9819 8827 for further assistance.
20STUDENT & ACADEMIC CODE OF CONDUCT
Academic and Personal Conduct page. The Style Manual includes a undertake supervised practice
The Student Code of Conduct sets section on plagiarism and how to placements. Check with your
out Excelsia College’s expectations avoid it, and detailed guidelines for Head of School to see whether
of students with respect to their correct referencing procedures. professional indemnity insurance
academic and personal conduct, is needed.
Personal Liability
and outlines the College’s • P
rohibited Employment
• Personal Property. Students
responsibilities to students. Declarations and Employment
are responsible for their
Screening. If you are considering
Academic Integrity personal property at all times.
a course that prepares you for a
Academic integrity at Excelsia Excelsia College can take no
profession involving the teaching
College is based on a respect for responsibility for any personal
or care of children, the sick,
individual achievement that lies property and is not liable for any
or other people in vulnerable
at the heart of academic culture. loss of or damage to students’
positions, you should be aware
Every academic staff and student, personal property (including
that prospective employers,
both graduate and undergraduate, bicycles, motor vehicles, musical
accreditation and registration
belongs to a community of scholars instruments, personal computers
bodies and agencies providing
where academic integrity is a and mobile phones).
clinical placements, internships or
fundamental commitment. Excelsia • Private Health Insurance. professional practice may require
College believes that excellence International students are you to submit a Prohibited
in learning and teaching can be required to take private health Employment Declaration and give
achieved only in an intellectual insurance for the duration consent to employment screening
environment where academic of their studies. The College before they employ you, agree
integrity is highly valued and recommends that all students to host a placement for you or
carefully upheld. Therefore, it consider private health insurance register you to practice. Excelsia
penalises all forms of academic that provides them with cover College will arrange for all Master
dishonesty. The Academic Integrity additional to Medicare. of Teaching and Bachelor of Early
Policy and Procedure defines • Professional Indemnity Childhood Education students
academic dishonesty, sets out Insurance. Students in some to have a Working with Children
penalties, and provides links to courses will require professional Check at the commencement of
helpful guidelines, with further indemnity insurance in order to their course.
details available on the Library
21WORK, HEALTH & SAFETY (WHS)
Excelsia College is committed to 4. The entry doors require security First Aid Room
ensuring the health, safety and swipe access, with your student The First Aid Room is located
welfare of our staff, students, ID Card. The main doors are on the ground floor, next to the
volunteers, visitors and others locked and alarmed after 10pm, Student Support Centre. This room
within our workplace (WHS Policy). with the less visible, security- is provided for staff and students
We seek to achieve this by working camera monitored side entrance who are not feeling well and need
in consultation with our staff to: also available for entry and exit; a space to recover. You may only
• Identify hazards in our workplace 5. Offices are locked after hours to access the room during the hours of
arising from our activities; minimise any attractiveness to 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The
• Assess the risks posed by these potential intruders. room is managed by the First Aid
hazards; Officers who may grant student and
All staff and students on campus staff access to the room as required
• Eliminate these hazards, or have a ‘duty of care’ to each other. and monitor their wellness.
implement control measures to This means we are legally obliged to
reduce the risk; assist each other and any visitors in First Aid Kits
• Continually monitor and improve the event of a potentially dangerous First aid kits are located in the
our health and safety situation. The Emergency Registrar’s Office, Library, Staff
performance. Evacuation Procedure is posted in Area, the Auditorium, Student
various locations on campus. Please Support Centre and the First Aid
We are committed to ensuring:
observe all safety regulations Room. Ice packs are available
• Our premises are safe and posted around the campus. The through the Registrar’s Office.
without risk to health; doors leading to fire escape stairs
• First Aid Officers
• Safe systems of work and a safe are alarmed, so don’t use these
working environment are unless instructed to do so by an The First Aid Officer contact details
maintained; evacuation warden. are available on the Health and
Safety section of our website.
• Information, instruction, training Key Emergency Contacts
and supervision are provided to In the case of an incident leading
For your safety and the safety of
ensure the health and safety of to injury or having the potential
others, it is important that you find
employees, students, volunteers, to lead to injury occurring on
out who your emergency contacts
service users and visitors. campus or off-campus while
are including your:
involved in course requirements,
Staff and student safety and security • First-aid Officer; the lecturer or student must report
are a high priority for Excelsia. The
• Emergency Warden. the occurrence by submitting an
College encourages staff and
Incident Report located on the
students to act positively and Emergency Training
College website within 24 hours.
responsibly to enhance their own All students will be required to Incident Reports are available
safety and the safety of others. complete the WHS Training as part online. The Incident Reporting
Safety on campus is managed by of Orientation to ensure that you Procedure is available here.
full-time facilities staff, who are receive vital information pertaining to
dedicated to providing a safe and your health and safety. You may also If you identify a potentially
amenable campus for the College need to attend additional Emergency hazardous situation at the College,
community. Specific safety features Training courses or drills. complete the online Hazard Log
and measures that apply on campus form available on the College
include the following: Gym Membership website. The Hazard Reporting
Anytime Fitness located at Level Procedure is found here.
1. After hours public transport is
1, Building 1, 35-41 Waterloo Rd,
available a few minutes’ walk Sexual Assault and Sexual
Macquarie Park (corner Lane Cove
from the College on fully-lit Harassment
and Waterloo Rd), offers corporate
suburban roads; Excelsia College aims to maintain a
membership to Excelsia College staff
2. The car park is enclosed within and students. You can purchase safe campus expecting all members
the College grounds providing membership directly with the of the Excelsia community to be
ease of access and security for gym manager on 02 9889 1880, respectful to one another.
staff and students walking to cars; 9870 8794 or macquariepark@ Any form of sexual assault or
anytimefitness.com.au. The sexual harassment is not tolerated.
3. The campus is fully lit during and
membership will give you access to If an incident of sexual assault or
after hours, including in the car
all Anytime Fitness gyms in Australia. sexual harassment is disclosed by
park area;
any Excelsia College member, the
22You can also read
