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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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>