ENROLMENTS AND ADMISSIONS POLICY

OBJECTIVE

Cheder Levi Yitzchok is an independent Jewish school, inspired and guided

by the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. We are dedicated to providing

every student with ‘Chinuch Al Taharas HaKodesh’ (education based on an

uncompromising commitment to the primacy of holiness and goodness

associated with the First Existence (G-d Almighty), from which we believe all

existence and knowledge derives). For 2019, we are seeking enrolment for

boys from Foundation through to Year 8.

By virtue of the education offered to students, the Cheder aims to fulfil the

Rebbe’s heartfelt blessing that each of the boys should be ‘ChaYoLim’ (The

word ChaYoL being an acronym for Chossid (pious, warm and other centred),

Yirei Shamayim (steadfastly faithful to Gd), and Lamdam (scholarly and

committed to life-long learning.

Against this spiritual backdrop, Cheder Levi Yitzchok seeks to equip the

students with the skills and knowledge which the Victorian Department of

Education has deemed essential for any educated citizen in Australia.

This policy explains the expectations Cheder has of its students’ families, the

process of enrolment into the School, the admission preferences, the School’s

dress code and Cheder Levi Yitzchok’s privacy notice.

Cheder Levi Yitzchok will review any applicable State or Commonwealth Law

on an as needs basis and will adhere to that law.

ENROLMENT POLICY

Orthodox Judaism governs not only the religious beliefs of its followers, but

every aspect of their lifestyle and behaviours. A holistic religious framework

underpins the operations of Cheder Levi Yitzchok, and in Orthodox Jewish life,

this permeates the dynamics of the family, social relationships, morality and

ethics, academic studies and practical learning. The school aims to provide

an environment where students and their families are free to engage in their

education and development without compromise to the value system

espoused by Cheder Levi Yitzchok. This has implications for the School’s

selection and enrolment policies.

Subject to all Commonwealth and Victorian statutory requirements applicable

to the School, the Advisory Board of the School will give preference for

admission to students from Orthodox Jewish families, where Jewish status is

determined by matrilineage (or where conversion to Judaism has taken

place), either of these as defined by Orthodox Jewish law, and those who

conduct their lives in accordance with the laws and entrenched customs set

out in the Shulchan Aruch, and the teachings and customs of the Lubavitcher

Rebbe and Chassidic philosophy. We believe it is fundamental to each

student’s wellbeing - their social and cultural integration in their school

community, their sense of identity, and their sense of immersive belonging -

that students attending Cheder Levi Yitzchok are from families whose lifestyles

are strictly in harmony with the Shulchan Aruch and Chabad practices.

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS’ FAMILIES

The School seeks to create an environment which functions harmoniously,

which upholds its philosophical viewpoint, minimises conflict and incongruity

for the children, and delivers spiritually based education as per the School’s

Mission. For this to be achieved, we believe certain characteristics should be

evident in the families of children who attend Cheder Levi Yitzchok. The

absence of these elements may result in an unsuccessful application for

enrolment or a decision to terminate the enrolment of a child, which the

Cheder reserves the right to do, on reasonable grounds.

 

The requisites include:

  • A strong preference for homes which do not expose their children to

television, unfettered internet exposure or other publications or media

which are contrary to the Shulchan Aruch and the teachings and

customs of Chabad

  • A commitment not to allow internet usage or electronic devices or video

when any other student from Cheder Levi Yitzchok is visiting the home

  • Both in the home and for any food brought to the school premises:

o The provision of kosher food which complies with (as a minimum)

the Mehadrin quality standards

o The provision of foods which are classified as Cholev Yisroel

  • The observance of Cheder Levi Yitzchok’s dress codes by students, their

family members attending the school premises, and any other individual

representing the family while dropping off or picking up a child,

attending a function or a meeting. Refer Dress Code below.

IMPLEMENTATION

Applications for admission to the School will be considered on a case-by[1]case basis.

Process for admission

  1. An Applicant’s parents or guardians are invited to request information

about Cheder Levi Yitzchok, its vision, mission, pedagogical stance and

key educational policies from info@cly.vic.edu.au.

  1. An Application for Enrolment form to be completed and provided by

the Applicant’s parents or guardians to the school along with the

relevant Application fee.

  1. Students wishing to transfer from another school will be asked to provide

a recent report from their current school, and permission to contact their

current school for a reference.

  1. Applicants meeting initial requirements will be invited to attend, along

with their parent/s or guardian/s, a formal interview with the School

Principal as part of the Admissions process. An interview does not

guarantee admission.

  1. Prospective Applicants may be required to undergo tests and/or

evaluation activities to assess their suitability for placement in the

various classes or levels within the School, and the school’s ability to

give the student the support he needs in order to maximise his

potential.

  1. Applicant’s parent/s or guardian/s are required to enter into a

Parent/Guardian Agreement regarding fees and payment

arrangements prior to the Applicant being accepted into the school.

  1. In cases where fee relief is sought, the family will be required to provide

documentation and information relating to financial capacity, as

outlined under the School’s Fee Policy and as is its practice. All

documentation will be treated with due sensitivity and strict

confidentiality. Please see Privacy Notice below.

  1. All instances of fee reduction may be periodically reviewed at the

School’s discretion, and a new arrangement determined on the basis

of a family’s changing financial circumstances.

  1. An Enrolment Form must be completed and signed, and all

documentation and information required by the School for admission

must be provided by the Applicant’s parents or guardians prior to

admission being granted.

10.In all instances where a specific application is not covered by the

School’s Enrolments and Admissions Policy or where unspecified

circumstances may arise, those matters are to be referred to the

School’s Advisory Board for its consideration.

11.Cheder Levi Yitzchok does not accept applications for places in the

School for students yet to be born.

12.Payment of an Application Fee is to secure a place on the Cheder

waiting list. This will allow for prioritised consideration of the application

but it does not constitute a guarantee of a place for the child, nor a

commitment to provide a class at his year level.

ADMISSION PREFERENCES

First preference for admission will be given to orthodox Jewish students whose

family practices are in keeping with the philosophy and teachings of the

Shulchan Aruch and the teaching and customs of Chabad. Priority for

admission to the School will be determined on the basis of the following criteria:

  • Applicants with siblings currently enrolled in the School.
  • Applicants who are the children of members of staff at the School.
  • Applicants who are the siblings of School Alumni.
  • Applicants who are the children of School Alumni.
  • Optimum class size.
  • The Applicant’s date of birth.
  • In the final analysis – if the above do not resolve the issue – by a casting

of lots (as practiced within the framework of orthodox Jewish Law)

The above criteria will be applied in good faith to each Applicant.

Unsuccessful Applicants may re-apply the following year by updating their

applications.

In the case of a re-application, the merit of that application will again be

subject to the above criteria, to be considered without priority, together with

all other applications for that year’s intake.

PRIVACY NOTICE

The confidential Enrolment Form asks for personal information about your child

as well as family members and others that provide care for your child.

The main purpose for collecting this information is so that Cheder Levi Yitzchok

can register your child and understand the requirements for allocation of staff

and resources as befits each individual student’s educational and support

needs.

All staff at Cheder Levi Yitzchok are required by law to protect the information

provided in the Enrolment Form.

Health information is asked for so that staff at Cheder Levi Yitzchok can

properly care for your child. This includes information about any medical

condition or disability your child may have, medication your child may rely on

while at school, any known allergies and contact details of your child’s doctor.

Cheder Levi Yitzchok depends on you to provide all relevant health

information because withholding some health information may put your child’s

health at risk.

Cheder Levi Yitzchok requires information about all parents, guardians or

carers so that we can take account of family arrangements. Family Court

Orders setting out any access restrictions and parenting plans should be made

available to Cheder Levi Yitzchok. Please tell us as soon as possible about any

changes to these arrangements. Please do not hesitate to contact the

Principal if you would like to discuss, in strict confidence, any matters relating

to family arrangements.

Emergency Contacts are people that Cheder Levi Yitzchok may need to

contact in an emergency. Please ensure that the people named are aware

that they have been nominated as emergency contacts and agree to their

details being provided to Cheder Levi Yitzchok. In a practical sense, they

should be people who would generally be available to receive a call during

school hours and are locally based.

Student Background Information includes details about a person’s country of

birth, cultural background, language spoken at home and parent occupation.

This information is collected so that Cheder Levi Yitzchok receives appropriate

resource allocations for its students. It is also used by the Government to plan

for future educational needs in Victoria. Some information is sent to

Commonwealth Government agencies for monitoring, planning and resource

allocation. All of this information is kept strictly confidential and the

Department will not otherwise disclose the information to others without your

consent or as required by law.

Providing your child’s Immunisation Status assists Cheder Levi Yitzchok in

managing health risks for children. This information may also be passed to the

Department of Human Services to assess immunisation rates in Victoria.

Information sent to the Department of Human Services is aggregate data so

no individual is identified.

Visa Status information is required to enable Cheder Levi Yitzchok to process

your child’s enrolment.

Updating Your Child’s Records if your son’s personal or medical

circumstances change, is essential. Please let Cheder Levi Yitzchok know of

any changes by sending updated information to the school office. During

your child’s time at Cheder Levi Yitzchok we will also, from time to time, send

you copies of enrolment information held by us and request confirmation.

Please use this opportunity to let us know of any changes.

In most circumstances you can access your child’s records. Please contact the

Principal to arrange this. Sometimes access to certain information, such as

information provided by someone else, may require a Freedom Of Information

request. We will advise if this is required and tell you how you can do this. If you

have any concerns about confidentiality of this information please contact the

Principal.

For more information please see Cheder Levi Yitzchok Privacy Policy.

DRESS CODE

Dress Code – Community Visitors

The following Dress Code applies to members of the Community or their

agents who deliver or pick up children from School, who attend meetings,

functions or events at the School or visit the School for any other reason.

Dress Code for Women and Girls

Women and girls should dress in a conservative manner commensurate with

the traditions accepted in Chabad Lubavitch communities. Clothing, jewelry

and makeup should not draw particular attention to the wearer nor

emphasise physical features.

  • Women and girls should wear a dress or a skirt and top. Trousers or

leggings are not suitable, even when worn beneath a skirt.

o Clothes should not be clingy or tight fitting.

o They should have a high neckline.

o Sleeves must extend below the elbow so that elbows are not

exposed.

o Hemlines should cover the knees, even when sitting.

o Skirts and dresses should not have splits.

o There should be no visible skin between skirt and top.

  • Married practicing Jewish women are to have their hair completely

covered at all times.

o No hair is to protrude beyond the head cover.

o Hair should not be visible through a tichel or sheitel.

  • Non-practicing Jewish women and girls are asked to have their hair

styled in a neat and modest manner.

Dress Code for Men and Boys

Men and Boys should dress in a conservative manner commensurate with the

traditions of the Chabad Lubavitch community.

  • Men and boys should wear a suit or trousers and a shirt or top.

o These should be of conservative or traditional cut and colour.

o Trousers should be dark coloured, full length and not clingy.

o Jeans are not appropriate.

o Shirts worn by boys should be white and should cover the neckline.

  • Footwear is to be dark coloured and fully enclosed, except during

sporting activities, when sports shoes (runners) may be worn.

  • Head Covering is required for practicing Jewish Men and boys and must

be in a traditional style comprising a hat, cap or full size yarmulke.

  • Boys of barmitzvah age or older are expected to wear a hat and jacket,

in transit to and from school, and in all situations and events that are of a

religious, formal or congregational nature (e.g. at synagogue, at a

circumcision, at a wedding, at a Melaveh Malkah (the farewell to

Sabbath)). Exceptions are occasions, events or activities that require

informal / casual dress, e.g. excursions, hikes, camps, family outings and

holidays. Even when informal/ casual dress is appropriate, clothing must

conform with the laws of Tznius (modesty) and traditional Chabad

Lubavitch standards.

The Head of Education is authorised to make the ultimate decision about all

matters pertaining to dress and personal presentation.

Last reviewed: <March 2019> Date for next review: <tbc>

Enrolments and Admissions Policy R20191128.pdf