Orientation

The Performing Arts Conservatory holds an Orientation Session for all new students the week prior to commencement of study. Students will also receive a Student Handbook which contains information regarding studying, policies and procedures and all the relevant contacts at the Conservatory.

Teaching and Assessment Methods

Teaching and learning at The Performing Arts Conservatory is based on the shared obligation to provide information and practical skills as well as to assess student achievement in a timely manner within each quarter or trimester. At the beginning of each unit of study you will be given a Unit Overview which describes what you will cover and the assessment tasks which will need to be completed. You will also be given an assessment brief detailing the context, assessment task, submission requirements, assessment criteria and reference material. Assessment methods may include public performance stage exams, production projects assignments and practical exercises with all units graded. It is the responsibility of all students to submit assignment and deliver project work, participate in presentations and attend exams by the due dates. Your study may be divided into face-to-face classroom sessions and practical time with all students required to attend 85% of each and every unit. (Please note some work place role-play units will require more strict attendance as study progresses e.g. 95% attendance) Attendance and participation in both is vital to ensure you pass the attendance requirements of each subject.

Special Needs

It is required that you inform The Performing Arts Conservatory, before enrolling of any special needs or learning difficulties. Please contact administration to organise an appointment to discuss your personal situation and the options and support available. You can be assured of discretion and confidentiality.

Student Email

All Conservatory students will be required to have their own email account for communication with administration and education. Most communication with students will be through the nominated email account and therefore it will be the student’s responsibility to regularly check their email.

Deferment or Withdrawal

Students may apply to defer their studies in the event of an unforeseen emergency circumstance or illness for a maximum period of one quarter (applicable 2016) or one trimester (applicable 2017 onwards) Applications for deferment are accepted at the Conservatory’s discretion.

Students will be required to complete a Request for Deferral or Withdrawal form that is available from Administration. Please ensure you discuss your situation with the Assistant Director of Learning prior to completing this form. An exit interview must be conducted in order to authorise your request. A failure to do so may result in fees continuing to be owed.

Recognition of Prior Learning

All prospective students have the option of submitting any relevant prior learning (RPL) they wish to be recognised by completing an RPL Application. This application (together with certified copies of documentation) must be provided with your enrolment form.

You may apply for RPL, no later than 14 days from the start of the quarter or trimester on the basis of:

• Work experience; or
• Other accredited training you have completed.

All students who lodge an RPL application will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application.

RPL on the basis of work experience

If you are seeking RPL based on your work experience, you will need to provide The Performing Arts Conservatory with a detailed resume and duty statement and may need to undertake a skills and knowledge test. For further information on critical evidence, applicants are encouraged to consult with the Head of Department for their course. The skills and knowledge test could be a written exam, an assignment a production and or an interview or another method of assessment that the Conservatory deems appropriate for the relevant academic units of study.

RPL on the basis of other accredited education and training completed

The Performing Arts Conservatory recognises qualifications for accredited education training issued by other Australian registered educational institutions. With your application for RPL, you will have to supply certified copies of transcripts of accredited education and training you have undertaken.

Course Commencement

We have 3 commencement dates per year. Please contact us for updated course scheduling and dates.

Fees

Please refer to our fee schedule for course tuition fees.

Students have the option of paying tuition fees prior to the commencement of each quarter / trimester or deferring payment through VET FEE-HELP (for further information on VET FEE-HELP and eligibility please refer to www.studyassist.gov.au or contact us for more information) To be eligible for VET FEE-HELP you must be an Australian citizen or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of the unit of study.

Unless applying for VET FEE-HELP, tuition fees are due four (4) weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Payment for all fees is in Australian dollars and payment can be made by cash, credit card or eftpos.

Refunds

If written notice of student withdrawal (cancellation of enrolment or deferment) is received 14 days before course commencement, course fees will be refunded in full, minus a withdrawal fee of 5% of the total course fees for that quarter / trimester. If a VET FEE-HELP loan has been applied for, no VET FEE-HELP debt will be incurred. However, there will be a 5% withdrawal fee of the total course fees for that quarter / trimester levied.

If written notice is received of student withdrawal or deferment after enrolment and prior to or on the Census date, students paying up-front fees will be liable for a withdrawal fee of 10% of the total course fees for that trimester and the balance of fees paid for units not commenced will be refunded. If a VET FEE-HELP loan has been applied for, no VET FEE-HELP debt will be incurred. However, there will be a 10% withdrawal fee of the total course fees for that quarter / trimester levied.

Withdrawal or deferment after enrolment and after the Census date will result in no refund of the relevant quarter / trimester’s fees unless special circumstances apply. A VET FEE-HELP debt will be incurred for all enrolled units of study and deferment is not permitted after the Census ate in either quarter / trimester.

In the event of The Performing Arts Conservatory cancelling a course, all fees paid in advance will be refunded within 14 days of cancellation.

Welfare and Guidance Services

The Performing Arts Conservatory students are invited to discuss any personal problems they are having that may be affecting their capacity to study with the Conservatory’s Counsellor. Where appropriate, the Counsellor will refer students to welfare and/or guidance agencies that provide the appropriate services.

Textbooks and Equipment

Students will be given a text list prior to commencement. Some of the books, plays and/or software or equipment on the list you are required to purchase, others will be highly recommended.

Library

The Performing Arts Conservatory library has access to both physical and online resources that are made available to students. Physical resources including DVDs, CDs, plays, industry magazines and music scores are available to access during library opening times.

Copyright

The Performing Arts Conservatory willingly recognises that the student will be the copyright holder to any original works he or she creates throughout their studies. As a condition of enrolment, The Performing Arts Conservatory retains a non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use all student works generated in the course of academic work at The Performing Arts Conservatory for educational, marketing or promotional use. In the event that the student chooses to use their work for commercial purposes, recognition of The Performing Arts Conservatory is essential. In the event the student fails to secure appropriate rights from all performer participants the copyright automatically defaults to The Performing Arts Conservatory for the copyright safety of those participants.

Privacy

The Performing Arts Conservatory is committed to preserving your privacy and will;

• Only collect personal information from you for lawful purposes;
• Only collect information as it is necessary;
• Tell you what the information will be used for;
• Protect personal information from loss, unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure or other misuse;
• Not disclose personal information outside The Performing Arts Conservatory except where;
• You have consented to the disclosure, or the likelihood of disclosure;
• The Performing Arts Conservatory is required by legislation, court order or other legally enforceable instrument and the request is in a written form;
• Disclosure is reasonably believed to be necessary to prevent or lessen a serious an imminent threat to life or health of any person;
• There is a requirement to provide personal information to the Australian Government, designated authority, the tuition Assurance Scheme and/or the ASTAS Assurance Fund Manager. This information may include personal and contact details and course enrolment details.