The orientation process provides key information to new students ahead of their studies, both in written form for immediate and ongoing reference and forums where students meet with staff to receive information, ask questions, clarify uncertainties, and discuss concerns. Orientation information is provided in line with the Sydney College of Divinity policy and the current Higher Education Standards.

All new and returning students (international and domestic) should attend orientation at the beginning of every semester, ahead of the first class, whether the delivery of teaching is face-to-face or online. Orientation forums will be face-to-face for face-to-face students and online for online students.

Our face-to-face orientation is Friday 14 February 10am at 20 Ponsonby Rd.

Our online orientation is a course on the Moodle – at the top of the library section.

In accord with the SCD Orientation Policy, the orientation program will cover all the relevant information for a Sydney College of Divinity student.

Orientation information for students

Orientation information will comprise information about

(i)    locations and contacts for the campus concerned, including contacts details for the Student Support Officer as the immediate point of contact;
(ii)   academic matters including courses, units, and teaching arrangements; and
(iii)  student services.

The information provided to domestic and international students during orientation includes (but not limited to)

Academic

• the relationship between the Sydney College of Divinity and Good Shepherd College
• courses and course units, including the Course Unit Booklet
• majors, sub-majors, and specialisations
• requirements for attendance, progress, and completion
• graduation
• online learning and the Learning Management System (Moodle), including the necessity of keeping Moodle login details for the exclusive use of the student and penalties for sharing these with any other person
• students-at-risk recognition and strategies
• academic mentoring available
• assessment
• academic integrity, including advice about what constitutes plagiarism, cheating, and contract cheating and warning of the severe penalties attached
• communication of results
• access to the Sydney College of Divinity and GSC handbooks
• academic appeals
• the faculty
• student feedback processes

Student services

• learning support
  • support for gaining study and writing skills, noting that Studiosity is the only Sydney College of Divinity approved external study and writing skills support service
  • library and IT support, including normal hours of availability
  • after-hours support for physical and electronic access to the library, IT support, and Studiosity
  • improvement in the use of academic and general English
• general support
  • safety precautions
  • dealing with and reporting critical incidents and other emergencies
  • support staff with contact details, including for the student grievance process
  • health and well being provisions and referrals
  • disability support
  • counselling and chaplaincy
  • availability of financial support
  • student amenities
  • extra-curricular activities available
  • careers and vocations
  • personal support, including availability of individual pastoral care

SCD Student Grievance Policy and Procedures < Clicking this link will take you to the SCD website where this document may be found.