Processes, PaymentS and POLICIES 

23/02/26 – Information about Week Without Walls (WWW) 2026–27 shared with parents

02/03/26 – Online Parent Information Session (to be recorded and shared afterwards)

02/03/26 – SchoolsBuddy open (for expedition preferences)

09/03/26 – Indication of attendance due for Years 7–9 and expedition preferences due for Years 10–13

16/03/26 – Expedition allocations confirmed for Years 10–13

23/03/26 – Parent letter issued with detailed information for each expedition

13/04/26 – Deposit due and submission of consent, medical, and security documentation

27/07/26 – Final payment due

Year 7-9 Whole Grade Expeditions

All students in Years 7–9 take part in a whole-grade Week Without Walls experience, designed to ensure equity of access and a shared cohort experience.

Step 1: Indicate Participation

• Parents/guardians will be asked to opt in or opt out of the Year 7–9 Week Without Walls experience by the specified date.

• This response will be submitted via SchoolsBuddy.

Step 2: Confirmation and Deposit Payment

• Once participation is confirmed, families will be prompted to pay the required deposit by the stated due date.

• The deposit secures your child’s place and enables the school to confirm bookings and staffing.

Important Notes

• If no response is received by the specified date, the school will assume that the student will not be attending.

• Once participation is confirmed, deposits are non-refundable, in line with the Week Without Walls Payments and Refunds Policy.

• Any consideration of refunds will be at the sole discretion of the DBIS Business Manager.

Year 10-13 Expedition Selection

Students in Years 10–13 participate in choice-based expeditions, offering a range of local and international experiences.

Step 1: Select Expedition Preferences

• Students will be invited to nominate three (3) expedition preferences via SchoolsBuddy by the specified date.

• Preferences should be selected carefully, as expedition viability depends on confirmed numbers.

Step 2: Expedition Allocation

• Students will be allocated one expedition based on preferences, capacity, staffing, and safety considerations.

• Allocation decisions are final.

• DBIS will make every effort to accommodate students' first and second choice; however, in some cases this may not be possible.

Step 3: Deposit Payment

• Following allocation, families must pay the required deposit by the stated due date to confirm the student’s place.

Important Notes

• Submitting expedition preferences is considered a commitment to participate in the allocated expedition.

• Deposits are non-refundable once allocation has occurred.

• Withdrawal or non-payment may impact the viability of the expedition and will result in follow-up for outstanding payments.

All deposits and final payments for Week Without Walls must be made by the specified payment deadlines.

Accepted payment methods:

• Direct bank transfer (preferred)

• Cheque

If paying by bank transfer, please email a copy of the bank slip or transaction reference, clearly including your child’s full name and year group, to accounts@dbis.edu.hk to assist with payment reconciliation.

Bank Details:

• Account Name: Discovery Bay International School Limited

• Bank: The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd

• Bank Address: 1 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong

• Bank Code: 004

• Account Number: 111-459624-001

• SWIFT Code: HSBCHKHHHKH

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring payments are made on time, which allows the school to confirm bookings and deliver a safe and high-quality Week Without Walls experience for all students.

Week Without Walls is a valued and carefully planned part of the DBIS learning experience. This policy explains how payments and refunds are managed so families clearly understand their commitments and the reasons behind them. Our aim is to be transparent, fair, and supportive, while ensuring the program remains safe and viable for all students. 

Years 7–9: Participation and Payment

Confirming Participation
Parents/guardians of students in Years 7–9 will be asked to confirm their child’s participation in the assigned Week Without Walls experience. If no response is received by the specified date, the school will assume that the student will not be attending. 

Deposit Payment

• Once participation is confirmed, a deposit must be paid by the communicated due date.

• The deposit allows the school to secure bookings and staffing for the experience.

Refunds

• Deposits are non‑refundable once participation has been confirmed.

• In exceptional circumstances, families may submit a written request for consideration.

• Any refund decision will be made at the sole discretion of the DBIS Business Manager, and decisions are final.

Years 10–13: Expedition Selection and Payment

Selecting Preferences
Students in Years 10–13 will be invited to nominate three (3) preferred expeditions from the options available.

Expedition Allocation

• Students will be allocated one expedition based on preferences, availability, provider requirements, staffing, and safety considerations.

• Allocation decisions are final.

Commitment to Participate

• Submitting expedition preferences indicates a commitment to participate in the allocated expedition.

• This commitment allows the school to finalise numbers and make secure bookings with external providers.

Deposit and Payment

• A deposit is required by the specified due date following expedition allocation.

• Payment timelines will be clearly communicated to families.

Refunds and Withdrawals

• Deposits are not refundable once an expedition has been allocated and confirmed.

• Withdrawal after confirmation may affect the overall viability of the expedition and can result in additional costs for the school and other participants.

• For this reason, outstanding payments will be followed up by the school.

Why Deposits Are Required 

Week Without Walls experiences require the school to make significant advance bookings for providers, accommodation, transport, equipment, and staffing. These costs are committed well before the experience takes place and are based on confirmed student numbers. For this reason, deposits are required and are generally non‑refundable. 

Exceptional Circumstances

DBIS understands that unforeseen situations can arise.

• Requests for consideration due to exceptional circumstances (e.g. serious medical issues) should be submitted in writing with relevant supporting information.

• Any adjustments or refunds remain at the discretion of the DBIS Business Manager, in consultation with senior staff where appropriate.