Enrolling at Port

The purpose of a CARE school is to re-engage young people between 13 and 20 years in education and training. The Port School student body is made up of students who, for various reasons, have not been able to achieve success in mainstream school settings.

Parents/guardians/carers (referred to as parents) interested in enrolling a student at Port School should initially call the Business Manager on (08) 9335 6323, and submit an ‘Expression on Interest’. Details regarding the student and their background will be requested at this time.

Due to the size of Port School, the nature of our students’ challenges and the high enrolment demand, it is likely that a position will not immediately be available.  You may be offered a place on the waitlist, or be advised to reapply at a later date. The School will contact the parent when a position has become or is likely to become available. Typically, three separate phone calls on three different days will be made. If parents are not contactable and do not respond to the School within five working days, the applicant may be removed from the waitlist. The waitlist is regularly reviewed and triaged, using a range of criteria including student level of need and the status quo of the existing student body.

Once a position becomes available, an initial interview with the Principal and/or Head of School will be arranged. Both parent and student must attend this meeting. At this interview, the suitability of Port in respect to the students’ needs will be assessed. If Port is felt to be suitable, the parent and student may be asked to complete an enrolment form. The following documentation should be brought to the meeting. It is required in order to proceed with the enrolment and failure to supply these documents may result in the enrolment being delayed or not proceeding.

  • Student’s birth certificate
  • Medicare card
  • Healthcare or Concession Card (if applicable)
  • Students’ Immunisation History Statement, issued by the Australian Immunisation Register, and no older than  2 months old. This can be be downloaded from a MyGov account or alternatively, a statement may be requested by calling the Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809.
  • Previous NAPLAN results
  • Previous semester school report
  • Psychologist reports, assessments and/or diagnostics (if applicable)

Students may be required to attend a maximum 2-day induction program, which takes place both on and off-campus and may be held in school holidays. Completion of the induction is essential in order to proceed with the enrolment.

Following completion of the induction program, a second interview will be arranged with the student’s allocated Port School Mentor, which must be attended by both parent and student.

A probationary period requiring half-day attendance will commence and will be reviewed by the School after 10 day and carers will be advised of the outcome (review of suitability, extension of probation or transition to full-time enrolment).

The Port School Enrolment and Attendance Policy can be found on our website. A copy may also be requested from the school office by calling (08) 9335 6323.

Providing a real alternative for adolescents who need a different kind of school.

(08) 9335 6323