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Finigan School of Distance Education

Finigan School of Distance Education

Telephone02 6210 5200

Emailfinigansde@det.nsw.edu.au

Enrolment categories

Students in Years 7-12 can enrol in Distance Education under several different categories.

Isolated home students

Students who are unable to attend a regular school, due to geographic isolation from a NSW government school, may be eligible to enrol in adistance education school or centre. A distance of three (3) kilometers from the student's home to the nearest bus route for primary students and five (5) kilometres for secondary students is the minimum prerequisite distance but may not be sufficient reason to justify enrolment.The principal of the enrolling distance education school or centre will determine eligibility within this context.

A parent or carer is required to submit appropriate documentation and a NSW Statutory Declaration, stating the distance from the student's home to the nearest bus route.

Distance Education Enrolment Procedures

Students with a medical condition

Students with a medical condition, other than a mental health condition, which prevents them from attending school on a regular basis, including a special school or special class within a regular school, may be eligible for enrolment at a distance education school or centre.

The parent or carer must submit specialist medical documentation which:

  • clearly identifies the medical condition
  • explicitly states the condition which prevents the student from attending a school
  • specifies the length of time the medical certificate covers

Students with a medical condition deemed by the specialist medical practitioner to be long term will be required to provide a medical certificate at the beginning of each academic year.

Distance Education Enrolment Procedures

Pregnant students or young parents

Students who are pregnant or in the first year of parenthood may be eligible for enrolment at a distance education school or centre. A medical certificate attesting to pregnancy or a birth certificate for the child must be submitted with the application.  

Students temporarily resident or travelling overseas

Students who are travelling overseas, or are temporary overseas residents and are unable to attend an appropriate English-speaking school, may be eligible to enrol in a distance education school or centre. The enrolment period is a minimum of 50 school days and twelve (12) consecutive months.

A parent or carer is required to submit a NSW Statutory Declaration, stating their intention to travel overseas or temporarily reside overseas and the anticipated duration of this arrangement.

A comprehensive itinerary must be submitted with the application. Addresses for a minimum of six (6) weeks in advance are required to ensure continuity of the learning program.

Parents or carers are required to purchase all necessary textbooks and equipment. They will also be required to pay a charge for airmail postage of lesson materials. The postage charge for overseas students must be paid in advance to ensure continuity of the learning program. All lesson materials must be mailed direct to the student and cannot be sent via a ress. Any alternate arrangement such as the use of the diplomatic courier bag or the courier service of a large company, must be authorised by the principal of the distance education school or centre.

Distance Education Enrolment Procedures

Students travelling within Australia

Students who are unable to attend a regular school, because they are travelling within Australia, may be eligible to enrol in a distance education centre.

The enrolment period minimum of 50 school days and twelve (12) consecutive months. A parent or carer is required to submit a NSW Statutory Declaration, stating their intention to travel and the anticipated duration of this arrangement. A comprehensive itinerary must be submitted with the application. Addresses for a minimum of six (6) weeks in advance are required to ensure continuity of the learning program. Travellers who take up residence in one place for six (6) weeks or more may be required to enrol at the local school. This should be at the discretion of the principal of the distance education school or centre and the principal of the local school.

Distance Education Enrolment Procedures

Students with additional learning and support needs and transition. 

Students with additional learning and support needs and transition for students with significant support needs. Students with significant support needs which impacts on their engagement prevents them from attending school may be eligible for enrolment at a distance education centre. Parents will need to make contact with the local public school or local education office to discuss options for their child.

Students with significant support needs which impact on their engagement and prevent them from attending school on a regular basis, including a

special school or special class within a regular school, may be eligible for enrolment at a distance education centre.

This may include students who have a diagnosis, confirmed disability or history of:

  • Mental health condition
  • Autism
  • School phobia.

For further information on the requirements of this category please contact the the enrolment support officer at Finigan School of Distance Education. 

Vocationally talented

Students in secondary schools whose commitment to their vocational talents prevents regular attendance at school may be eligible for enrolment at a distance education school or centre.

 A parent or carer will submit a NSW Statutory Declaration from the organisation/institute that they are attending, detailing their activities/obligations which prevent them from attending their regular school. This must be referred to and supported by the principal of the student's current school.

The student's timetable should be structured to provide opportunities for the student to liaise with staff from the distance education centre or school. Extraordinary Circumstances

Extraordinary Circumstances 

Students who experience unforeseen and extraordinary circumstances may be eligible for enrolment in Distance Education. Approval for enrolment is this category must be supported by Rural and Distance Education Directorate.

Email rde@det.nsw.edu.au