Privacy policy.

Last Updated: 10 October, 2025

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At Sunrise Christian College, we are committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of our students, parents, staff, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act 4 of 2013.

By using our website, submitting enquiry forms, or enrolling your child at Sunrise Christian College, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information as described in this policy.

What Personal Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

From Parents/Guardians (Admissions & Enrolment):

Full names and surnames
Identity numbers
Contact details (phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses)
Proof of residence
Parent/guardian relationship to the child
Financial information for fee payment purposes
Emergency contact information

From Students:

Full names and surnames
Date of birth
Birth certificate details
Previous school records and academic history
Medical information and immunisation records (where necessary for student safety)
Photographs and videos (for school records, promotional materials, and security purposes)
Academic performance and progress reports

From Website Visitors:

Name, email address, and phone number (when you submit contact forms)
IP address and browser information (automatically collected)
Cookie data (see our Cookie Policy below)

How We Use Your Personal Information

We collect and use your personal information for the following lawful purposes:

Educational Purposes:

To process admissions and enrolment applications
To provide quality education and student support services
To communicate with parents/guardians about student progress, school events, and important notices
To maintain accurate student records
To ensure student safety and wellbeing

Administrative Purposes:

To manage tuition fee payments and financial records
To comply with legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., Department of Basic Education reporting)
To maintain school operations and facilities
To communicate with staff, parents, and students

Marketing & Communications:

To send school newsletters, updates, and event information (with consent)
To promote school achievements and activities on our website and social media (with consent for photographs)
To respond to enquiries submitted via our website or contact forms

Legal Basis for Processing Your Information

Under POPIA, we process your personal information based on the following lawful grounds:

Consent: You have given us explicit consent to process your information (e.g., submitting enquiry forms, providing photographs)
Contractual Necessity: Processing is necessary to fulfil our contract with you (e.g., providing education services upon enrolment)
Legal Obligation: We are required by law to process certain information (e.g., student records for Department of Basic Education compliance)
Legitimate Interest: Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests (e.g., school safety, educational quality, operational efficiency)

When We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information with:

Authorised Third Parties:

Department of Basic Education: For compliance with educational regulations and reporting requirements
Healthcare Providers: In medical emergencies or for student health and safety purposes
Service Providers: Third-party providers who assist with school operations (e.g., payment processors, IT support, uniform suppliers) under strict confidentiality agreements
Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect the rights, safety, and property of the school, students, staff, or others

All third parties are required to protect your personal information in accordance with POPIA and may only use it for the specific purposes we authorise.

How We Protect Your Information

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect it against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration, or destruction.

Our security measures include:

Secure storage of physical documents in locked filing systems
Password-protected electronic databases with restricted access
Regular security assessments and updates
Staff training on data protection and confidentiality
Secure disposal of outdated or unnecessary personal information

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your information to the best of our ability.

How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected and to comply with legal, regulatory, and operational requirements.

Retention Periods:

Student Records: Retained for the duration of enrolment plus [X years] after the student leaves the school, in accordance with educational record-keeping requirements
Financial Records: Retained for at least 5 years as required by South African tax and financial regulations
Enquiry Forms: Retained for 3 years or until you request deletion
Marketing Consent: Retained until you withdraw consent or request removal from our mailing list

After the retention period expires, we securely delete or destroy personal information in accordance with our data disposal procedures.

Your Privacy Rights

Under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the following rights regarding your personal information:

1. Right to Access

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you or your child.

2. Right to Correction

You have the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

3. Right to Deletion

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and regulatory retention requirements.

4. Right to Object

You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information for certain purposes (e.g., direct marketing).

5. Right to Withdraw Consent

Where processing is based on consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing prior to withdrawal.

6. Right to Lodge a Complaint

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Information Officer (see contact details below).

Protecting Children's Information

As an educational institution serving children from Grade R to 9, we are committed to protecting the privacy of minors. We only collect personal information about children that is necessary for educational purposes and student safety.

Parents/guardians provide consent for the collection and use of their child's personal information during the enrolment process. Parents have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of their child's information, subject to educational record-keeping requirements.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through our website without parental consent.

Cookies and Website Usage

Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyse website traffic.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. They help us remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.

Types of Cookies We Use:

Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly (e.g., security, navigation)
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website (e.g., Google Analytics)
Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings

Managing Cookies:

You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

For more information about cookies and how to manage them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., educational resources, social media platforms). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit. This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected by Sunrise Christian College.

Marketing and Communications

We may send you marketing communications, newsletters, and updates about school events and activities if you have provided consent or if you are an enrolled parent/guardian.

You have the right to opt out of marketing communications at any time by:

Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in our emails
Contacting us directly at admin@sunrisechristiancollege.org
Updating your communication preferences during parent-teacher meetings

Please note that opting out of marketing communications will not affect essential school communications regarding your child's education, safety, or administrative matters.

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Continued use of our website or services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Our Information Officer

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact our Information Officer:

Information Officer: [Name of Designated Person]
School Name: Sunrise Christian College
Address: 406 Jules Street, Malvern 2094, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Email: admin@sunrisechristiancollege.org
Phone: 010 018 6343 / 073 087 2417 / 078 840 7130

We will respond to your enquiry within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30 days.

Lodge a Complaint with the Information Regulator

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa:

Information Regulator (South Africa)
Address: JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001
P.O. Box: 31533, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017
Email: enquiries@inforegulator.org.za
Website: www.inforegulator.org.za or www.justice.gov.za/inforeg
Complaints: You can submit complaints through their website

Your Consent

By using our website, submitting enquiry forms, or enrolling your child at Sunrise Christian College, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use our website or provide us with your personal information.

At Sunrise Christian College, we are committed to transparency, integrity, and protecting the privacy of our school community. Thank you for trusting us with your personal information as we work together to raise stars that shine with excellence.