Laidlaw College is a signatory to The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021. The Code sets clear expectations for learner safety and well-being in tertiary education in New Zealand. Under the Code, it is Laidlaw’s responsibility to help our learners be:

• safe, physically and mentally

• respected and accepted for who they are

• supported in their learning and wellbeing

• connected with their social and cultural networks

• able to have their say in decisions about services

One of Laidlaw’s strategic goals is to develop a distinctively Christian community of formation and learning: Laidlaw students studying on our campuses, via distance or through partners, will learn in a formative and supportive community, and will develop lifelong relationships and habitus to undergird faithfulness and mission. Laidlaw’s current five-year plan outlines strategies to achieve this goal in the areas of:

• Providing a rich student experience and hospitality tikanga

• Developing an integrative and formative community fabric

• Providing opportunities to join formational cohorts

• Providing strong and supportive pastoral and academic care

• Developing resources for lifelong discipleship and spiritual formation 

Useful Links for Learners

A copy of the code is available from the NZ Qualifications Authority website.

Know the Code Videos

View Videos on An Overview of the Code, Mental Health, Disability, Learner Voice, Inclusive Learning Environments, An Overview for International Learners, Enrolments and Contract.

Self-Review of The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021

Each year Laidlaw College reviews its practices against the Code’s requirements and notes steps to be taken to ensure the best possible learning environment for students. Click the button below to read our most recent self-review report.

October 2025

The Academic Registrar and Student Dean, together with relevant Student Experience staff, meet throughout the year to review sections of the Code, and seek to improve our systems in response to the Code’s requirements and identified student needs.

The 2025 self-review process focussed on reviewing the Outcomes of the Code relevant to Laidlaw College’s enrolment of domestic and international learners (over the age of 18):

• Outcome 1: A learner wellbeing and safety system

• Outcome 2: Learner voice

• Outcome 3: Safe, inclusive, supportive and accessible physical and digital learning environments

• Outcome 4: Learners are safe and well

• Outcome 8: Responding to the distinct wellbeing and safety needs of international tertiary learners

• Outcome 9: Prospective international tertiary learners are well informed

• Outcome 10: Offer, enrolment, contracts, insurance and visa

• Outcome 11: International learners receive appropriate orientations, information and advice

• Outcome 12: Safety and appropriate supervision of international tertiary learners

The review process focussed on identifying gaps in Laidlaw’s practice around these outcomes. Areas that require further implementation during 2026 were identified as:

1. A strategy around lifelong connection to learners to be written.

2. The updating of our critical incident and emergencies procedures manual to be finalised.

3. Staff training around diverse learner groups to be included in regular staff meetings.

4. A Health and Wellbeing Hub on Moodle to be updated with more resources around budgeting services, and outside support agencies.

5. Keeping students’ contact details updated to be strengthened through regular reminders in student newsletters, and at course selection.

6. A ‘disability column’ to be added to Ebs reports to enable better communication between Admissions and Student Support. 

7. A written policy on staff doing welfare checks at a student’s home to be developed and included in staff handbooks.

8. Pastoral interviews to be held with Education and Counselling international applicants applying for 2026 study year.

Complaints 

Laidlaw has a formal process in place to address any complaint a student may have, whether it be academic, of a general nature, or a financial complaint. Our processes are outlined in section 5.7 “Grievance Procedures” of Laidlaw’s General Regulations. Laidlaw aims to resolve any concerns or complaints in a fair, open manner with students able to have a support person with them at any stage of the process.

In the 2025 review period there were six complaints received: Grading – 4;  failure of a practicum, and changes in classroom policy. Grading complaints were reviewed by the Head of School in consultation with lecturers concerned. All grades were upheld and reasons given to the relevant students. In one case, further training on a referencing style has been introduced during Orientation, and guidelines for markers expanded in the Academic Policies Manual. The Academic Dean reviewed the practicum documentation and upheld the decision. A Head of School met with students concerned about changes in classroom policy and explained the pedagogical reasoning behind the changes. No complaints were escalated beyond the level of Head of School or Academic Dean.

Critical Incidents and Emergencies

There were no reported critical incidents and emergencies during the review period.