Terms & Conditions — Russian Community School ACT (RCSACT)
Introduction
The Russian Community School ACT (RCSACT) was established to provide children and their families with quality Russian-language education and cultural development. Since its foundation, the school has united families in Canberra, creating a warm and supportive community.
RCSACT is a registered member of the ACT Community Language Schools Association. These Terms & Conditions ensure smooth operation of the school and outline the responsibilities of families, staff, and committee members.
By enrolling, families confirm their agreement to follow these Terms & Conditions.
1. Enrolment and Member Area
- Families must complete the official enrolment form.
- Once enrolment is confirmed, parents will receive a link and password to access their personal account (member area).
- The member area is used to pay term fees, view payment history, and access member-only information.
2. School Rules
2.1. Use of Language
- The school encourages the use of Russian during activities to support children’s language development.
- Parents are encouraged to use Russian with children and other families during classes.
- If a child does not yet speak Russian, gentle encouragement is recommended.
2.2. Parental Responsibility
- Parents/guardians are responsible for their children before and after lessons.
- During class time, children are supervised by RCSACT teachers.
- During breaks and outdoor play, children must remain under parental supervision.
2.3. Parent Involvement
- Parents should encourage children’s independence while respecting the learning environment.
- Parents may observe classes, but participation is limited unless requested by the teacher.
- Please avoid unrelated conversations or phone use during lessons.
2.4. Health, Safety and Food
- Nuts and eggs are prohibited. Parents must notify the school of any allergies or special dietary needs.
- Each child should bring their own individual snack. Shared food must be clearly labelled if it contains allergens.
- Children must wash hands before eating and after using the bathroom.
- If a child or parent is unwell (fever, cough, contagious illness), they must stay home.
2.5. Behaviour Code
As members of the RCSACT community, families agree to:
- Respect the rights, dignity, and value of every teacher, committee member, child, and family.
- Communicate politely and respectfully.
- Respect the diversity of the community.
- Keep children at home when unwell.
Families must not:
- Take or share photos/videos of other children without permission.
- Discipline children who are not their own.
- Attend under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Smoke on school premises.
- Use offensive or aggressive behaviour.
- Allow bullying, harassment, or intimidation.
- Share personal information about other families.
2.6. Punctuality
- Please notify the teacher/administrator if you are late.
- Arriving more than 15 minutes late may disrupt the lesson.
- Enter the room quietly if arriving during circle time or structured activity.
- Consistent lateness may affect your child’s participation.
3. Structure of the School Day
3.1. A typical session may include:
- Learning activities
- Free play or structured practice
- Circle time (songs, discussion)
- Snack time
- Outdoor games or activities
- Closing discussion
3.2. Cleaning and Shared Duties
To maintain a safe and friendly environment, families may be included in duties such as:
- Packing and arranging toys
- Tidying furniture
- Washing dishes used for snacks
- Vacuuming or taking out rubbish
A duty roster is published each term. Families unable to complete their duty must arrange a replacement.
4. Attendance, Payment and Communication
4.1. Fees
- Fees must be paid for the full term in advance before classes begin.
- In special cases (e.g., new families joining mid-term), a pro-rata calculation may be applied.
- Weekly or monthly payments are not available.
- Fees are non-refundable except in special cases approved by the committee.
4.2. Absences
- Missed classes are not compensated or rescheduled.
- No individual lessons are provided in place of absences.
4.3. Communication
- Official school communication is by email and closed groups (e.g.,Facebook).
- Families are responsible for checking updates regularly.
4.4. New Students
- New students are invited to attend one free trial lesson.
- Continued participation requires full enrolment and payment.
4.5. Events and Celebrations
- RCSACT organises cultural events (New Year, Easter, performances, etc.) and encourages family participation.
- Birthday celebrations are possible with prior notice. Cakes must be nut-free and clearly labelled with ingredients.
5. Emergencies
- In emergencies, call 000.
- RCSACT keeps up-to-date emergency contact details for each family.
- Designated committee members are available for urgent matters.
6. Liability
- RCSACT is run by teachers and volunteers.
- While all reasonable care is taken, RCSACT is not liable for injury, loss, or damage except where required by law.
- Parents remain responsible for their children before and after classes.
7. Acceptance of Terms
By enrolling a child in RCSACT, parents/guardians confirm that they have read, understood, and agree to these Terms & Conditions.
