INITIA NOVA ACADEMY — PRIVACY POLICY

(Effective Date: [04 December 2025])

This Privacy Policy explains how Initia Nova Academy, operating under Stella Learning Academy (Pty) Ltd, collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act 4 of 2013.

By accessing our website, applying for admission, or using our educational services, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.


1. Who We Are

Initia Nova Academy (“the Academy”, “we”, “us”) is a private educational provider offering:

  • GED® Preparation

  • MobyMax® (Grade 4–8 support)

  • Essential Education® (GED support platform)

  • Full-Time Academic Support

  • Tutoring and Facilitated Instruction

Our legal entity is:
Stella Learning Academy (Pty) Ltd.


2. What Personal Information We Collect

We collect and process only the information necessary for:

  • enrolment

  • education

  • safety

  • communication

  • legal compliance

This includes the information you provide in the Application Pack, Indemnity Form, Consent Form, Fee Declaration, and related documents. 

2.1 Information About Learners

  • Full name

  • ID number / passport number

  • Date of birth

  • Residential address

  • Medical and allergy information

  • Emergency contact details

  • Educational history

  • Gender

  • Learning needs

  • Attendance, performance, behavioural data


2.2 Information About Parents/Guardians

  • Full names

  • ID numbers

  • Contact numbers and email addresses

  • Permanent and postal addresses

  • Occupation and employer details

  • Account responsibility declarations

  • Signatures confirming correctness of information


2.3 Financial Information

  • Fee payment responsibility

  • Banking proof submissions

  • Billing details

  • Records of payments and arrears


2.4 Medical & Emergency Information

  • Medical aid details

  • Doctor contact information

  • Permission for emergency treatment

  • Chronic conditions or allergies


2.5 Behaviour, Discipline & Academic Records

We keep internal records of:

  • disciplinary actions

  • Code of Conduct violations

  • academic performance

  • attendance

  • positive reinforcement notes


2.6 Media & Photography

If consent is given, we collect and store:

  • photographs

  • videos

  • promotional media approval

Parents may withdraw media consent at any time.


2.7 Website & Digital Platform Information

When using our website or online systems, we may collect:

  • IP address

  • browsing data

  • device information

  • cookies (see Cookie Notice)

  • login activity

  • submitted contact forms

Digital interactions in learning platforms (MobyMax®, Essential Education®, Google Classroom) may also store learning analytics.


3. Why We Collect Personal Information

We collect data for the following purposes:

3.1 Educational Purposes

  • Providing academic support

  • Tracking learner progress

  • Placing learners in the correct programmes

  • Ensuring learning continuity

  • Managing attendance and reports

3.2 Administrative Purposes

  • Processing applications

  • Communicating with parents

  • Billing and fee administration

  • Maintaining accurate records

3.3 Safety & Legal Compliance

  • Managing emergencies

  • Complying with South African educational laws

  • Recording discipline as required by the Code of Conduct

  • Indemnity and liability protection

3.4 Platform Access

  • Creating learner profiles

  • Syncing progress across systems

  • Resetting passwords

  • Monitoring responsible use


4. How We Protect Your Information

We use appropriate security measures, including:

  • password-protected systems

  • restricted staff access

  • secure digital storage

  • locked physical files

  • encrypted communications where possible

  • regular backups

We retain information only for as long as required by law or operational necessity.


5. When We Share Personal Information

We never sell personal information.

We may share limited information with:

Educational Platforms

  • MobyMax®

  • Essential Education®

  • Google Classroom

To provide learning access.

GED® and Exam Authorities

Only when necessary for exam guidance and registration.

Medical Providers (Emergency Situations)

As per permissions granted in Application Pack. 

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information to:

  • law enforcement

  • child protection agencies

  • courts

if required by South African law.


6. Your Rights Under POPIA

Parents, guardians, and learners (if over 18) have the right to:

  • access their personal information

  • correct inaccuracies

  • request deletion where legally permitted

  • withdraw media consent

  • object to certain processing activities

  • lodge complaints with the Information Regulator

To exercise any of these rights, contact:
📧 carlak@initianovaacademy.com


7. Photography & Media Use

Photography or video use for marketing requires explicit consent, as documented in the Media Consent Form.
Consent may be withdrawn at any time.


8. Data Retention

We retain:

  • academic and disciplinary records for the duration of enrolment

  • financial records for legally required periods

  • application forms for internal compliance

  • media solely with consent

Records may be anonymised when no longer needed.


9. Website Usage & Cookies

Our website uses cookies to:

  • improve performance

  • analyse visitor behaviour

  • enable certain features

Users may manage cookie settings through their browser or site cookie banner.


10. Updates to This Policy

We may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time.
Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.


11. Contact Information

For questions, corrections, or privacy-related requests:

📧 carlak@initianovaacademy.com
📞 +27 (76) 075 7275
📍 Century City, Cape Town, South Africa