ABOUT US
Mission Statement
Leading contemporary arts education fostering our region’s cultural diversity and artistic wealth.
General Information About NRCACC
The Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre Inc. (NRCAC) is a not-for-profit incorporated association. NRCAC operates as an arts training centre; all activities of the Conservatorium, its licensees, invitees and casual room hirers operate under this umbrella. It is situated in an historic, heritage listed building located in the CBD of Lismore, NSW. All activities and use of the site comply with the principle of providing arts education and comply with the objectives of NRCAC.
NRCAC exists to provide a dynamic and supportive environment for quality education in music, dance and drama. We endeavour to facilitate life-long learning, creativity and community awareness of the arts through education, performance and community involvement. We are committed to providing opportunities for students, teachers and the wider community for interaction and inspiration in all areas of the performing arts.
Confidentiality Policy
NRCAC must ensure that, except as required under the Essential Standards for Registration or by law, information about a student or member of staff is not disclosed to a third party without the written consent of the student or member of staff.
NRCAC must ensure that students and staff have access to their personal records.
NRCAC employees must make sure that they do not disclose, disseminate or make use of any information marked confidential without prior authorization or unless specifically authorized by legislation. NRCAC officers and employees must take reasonable steps to ensure that any information marked confidential in any form (e.g. computer files), cannot be accessed by unauthorised people and that sensitive information is only discussed with people who are authorised to have access to it.
NRCAC officers and employees have a duty to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and security of information for which they are responsible.
NRCAC officers and employees have an obligation to:
ensure that personal information concerning students or staff is secured against loss, misuse or unauthorized access, modification or inappropriate disclosure;
report to their Head of Department or the Director, actual or suspected misuse of information.
Grievance Policy & Proceduress
Applying to Management, employed staff, volunteers and students of the Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre Inc.
Principles
The following principles underpin the NRCAC grievance policy and procedure:
The Board of Directors and staff recognize that individual and group problems arise from time to time.
It is important that these problems are resolved quickly and sensitively.
Grievances should be resolved through open communication and in a manner consistent with cooperative work practices.
At all stages of the grievance process, NRCAC will ensure that the privacy of all affected parties is observed and confidentiality is observed.
At all stages of the grievance process, NRCAC will ensure that every party is entitled to a fair hearing by an unbiased facilitator or decision-maker.
The Conservatorium recognizes that some 'disputes' are more properly dealt with under the counseling and disciplinary procedure; for example, disputes such as harassment of one member of staff by another. It is important that staff and Committee member’s privacy and confidentiality is respected at all times.
Policy
In all such disputes, the person aggrieved is encouraged to discuss the grievance with the other party or parties prior to taking any other action. It is acknowledged, however that this may not always be reasonable under the given circumstances.As soon as is practicable after an Annual General Meeting co-coordinators should undertake dispute resolution training at NRCAC’s expense, provided that such training is available locally and that the Centre has available funds.
Students, Staff or volunteers are encouraged to discuss a grievance with the Staff Representative, their Head of Department or through staff meetings before pursuing the formal stages of this grievance procedure.
Board of Directors Members are encouraged to discuss any grievance with the staff member first (if the grievance is with that staff member), or the Head of the staff member’s department, or the Director prior to taking formal steps.
Where the aggrieved person is a student, staff member or volunteer, they are encouraged to discuss the grievance with the party first or with the relevant Head of Department or with the Director prior to taking any formal steps.
The Head of Department, Director, another staff member or Board Members may play a mediatory role, where both parties to the dispute agree
Aggrieved parties are entitled to the representation of a Union representative, another staff member or any other person.
Procedures
Where a student, staff member, volunteer or Board of Directors member has a grievance the following steps should be followed.The person should record the grievance in writing. The other party should be notified and be encouraged to record their response in writing.
The person should be aware that where the grievance relates to an existing practice of NRCAC, work or studies will continue in accordance with the existing practice until the grievance process is exhausted.
The person should raise the grievance with the Director, who will bring it to the attention of the Board.
The Director, or another Board member, will attempt to resolve the complaint promptly, but at least within seven calendar days.
If the parties are willing to let the Board of Directors resolve the complaint, the person should ask the Director to refer the grievance to the Board.
If the parties are unsatisfied, the matter will be referred to an external mediator for conflict resolution in accordance with the Rules of the Association.
Resolution by the Board of Directors
The Chairperson will convene a meeting of the Board of Directors within 10 days.If the grievance involves the conduct or behaviour of a member of the Board, that member will be excluded from the meeting.
At this meeting the written records of the grievance will be considered.
The Board of Directors may ask both parties to attend the meeting at separate times to ensure that the parties cases have been understood and that the parties have said all that they wish to say.
After the parties have presented their case the Board of Directors will attempt to resolve the grievance at the meeting.
The Chairperson will give the persons involved a written response to the grievance within seven days of the meeting, outlining reasons for their decision if any.
Resolution with the assistance of an external mediator
If both the aggrieved parties consent. a mediation conference will be arranged with an independent and properly qualified external mediator.
The mediation conference will be arranged to suit both parties.
Ifthe parties cannot agree on a suitable time, the Chairperson will arrange a time after consultation with both parties and wherever possible, during both parties working time.
The independent mediator will attempt to resolve the matter.
The independent mediator will provide a written report for the Board of Directors including any recommendations and time lines.
The mediator's report will be tabled at the next ordinary Board of Directors Meeting, at which time such recommendations and time lines will be accepted or modified or replaced.
The Board of Directors and Director will oversee compliance with such recommendations and time lines.
Mutual Recognition
NRCAC recognises the AQF qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by any other Registered Training Organisation.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning, (RPL), is the acknowledgement of skills and knowledge obtained through:
Formal training, (industry and education)
Work experience
Life experience
The main focus of RPL is the LEARNING OUTCOMES or COMPETENCIES of these experiences, NOT how, when or where the learning occurred. The advantages of RPL to the student, the training organization and industry are:
The completion of formal education in a shorter time
Reduction of duplication in learning
An efficient response to industry skills shortage
A fairer access to studies
Increasing career and education options
Stronger links between industry and education
Greater understanding and recognition of workplace training needs
A cost reduction in education training provision
Students are encouraged to apply through teachers of relevant subjects or units for Recognition of Prior Learning in any unit where they consider themselves eligible. Details of the application process and the evidence required to submit for any recognition is available from the relevant Head of Department. Teachers will notify the Head of Department of any students receiving RPL and all evidence of assessments involved through the process will be sited by the relevant teacher and Head of Department.
All teaching staff are required to make themselves aware of these guidelines and to facilitate their students’ applications and enquiries.
Recognition of Prior Learning and Overseas Students
Due to the difficulty of assessing prior learning for an overseas student before their entry into Australia, NRCAC prefers to conduct assessments for RPL after the student has arrived in this area, which will most often be after their enrolment. However, where a student has sufficient certified documentation of skills or qualifications attained previously and that are relevant to Units in our courses, RPL may be given before enrolment. Overseas students must be aware that regardless of any RPL process, students must attend our courses at a full time load of 20 hours per week.
Where RPL is granted after the issue of a visa, the resulting change of course duration must be reported via PRISMS.
Whenever RPL is granted the student’s programme must include additional Units to demonstrate that full-time study requirements (20 hours face to face) are being met.
A record of the student’s RPL must be signed by the
student and a copy placed in the student’s file.
Quick Links
Course information and directory is :: Online enrolment form is :: Download application form
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