Enrol in distance education - Full-Time

Distance education is for students who cannot attend school regularly in person. Our school provides distance education for eligible students. Students learn from home with a designated home supervisor with online lessons and support provided by our teachers.

Full Time Enrolment - How it works

Students may be eligible because of geographical distance, health needs or other approved reasons.

Students must meet one of the conditions in the Distance Education Enrolment Procedures to be eligible to enrol as a full-time student.

The full-time enrolment categories are:

• Students who meet geographic isolation criteria.
• Students travelling within Australia.
• Students temporarily residing or travelling overseas.
• Students with a medical condition.
• Pregnant students/young parents.
• Vocationally talented students.
• Students with additional learning and support needs.

Enrolment in distance education procedures outlines details about the categories of enrolment.

How to apply

1. Contact your local Government school to talk about your child’s needs. You will need the support of your local Government school to apply for distance education.
2. As SCSoDE is a NSW Department of Education school, we can only accept full-time enrolments from students enrolled in a NSW Government school. Students currently attending a private, independent or religious school will first need to enrol in their local NSW Government school.
3. Travellers (AU and overseas) and Geographically Isolated students who meet the criteria for those categories can contact the school directly on 6681 0300 or email: southerncrossschoolofdistanceeducation@det.nsw.edu.au

Students with Additional Needs

Students cannot enrol directly into distance education if applying under the categories 2.8 and 2.9. The process for applying under categories 2.8 (students with additional learning and support needs) and 2.9 (transition) must follow the process outlined below.

1. Student is enrolled in their local NSW Government school
2. Work with the school and a Learning and Wellbeing team
   The Department's Learning and Wellbeing team (through the Goonellabah, Grafton, Armidale or Murwillumbah office, depending on your location) will work with the school to support the student and explore strategies to improve engagement and participation. This process is typically undertaken over at least one school term before distance education is considered.
3. Consideration of distance education
   If the enrolled school determines that distance education may be the most appropriate option for the student, the school will work with the parent/carer to prepare an application for a full-time distance education enrolment.
4. Application and enrolment
   Further information and documentation requirements will be provided if an application for distance education is supported.

Please note that enrolment in distance education is subject to eligibility requirements outlined in the NSW Department of Education Distance Education Enrolment Procedures.

School contributions

In NSW public schools, all financial contributions are voluntary. Every student has full access to the curriculum, regardless of whether contributions are made.

For more information, see Voluntary school contributions on the Department of Education's website.