General Information

ATTENDANCE

We really value the importance of consistent and regular attendance and have high expectations for our students in this area. We understand that adolescence is a challenging stage and that there are times when teenagers seek independence and think they know best. No matter how hard parents try, some students experience times when they can be reluctant or refuse to go to school. We know that attendance patterns are established very early in the year and that is why we have a strong emphasis on working with you to address any attendance concerns at the start of the year.    

• Attendance Policy
• Attendance Procedure

When students attend school on a regular basis:

• They are more successful with their learning
• They have happier and healthier friendships
• Their outlook on life is happier and more positive.

We know that:

• High achievement is linked to high attendance
• Essentially, being at school leads to succeeding at school.

What You Can Do

• Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day, make that the expectation. Regular attendance sets up good behaviours for regular attendance at work.
• Help your teenager maintain daily routines such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep. On average, teenagers need 8-9 hours’ sleep to be healthy and alert. You may also need to monitor their use of the internet, mobile phone and TV at night to ensure they are not staying up too late or being disturbed while sleeping.
• Try not to schedule hair, dental or medical appointments during school hours.
• Schedule family trips for school holidays, rather than during term time.
• Don’t let your teenager stay home unless genuinely sick. Complaints of headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety. Please feel free to contact your child’s Home Group Teacher or Grade Leader if you are concerned that this may be the case.
• Monitor your teenager’s attendance and school performance. A regular check in by phone or email is a good idea. If you have concerns about your child’s attendance, please contact us through the Home Group Teacher, Grade Leader, Assistant Principal, the Social Worker or the Principal.

Recording Student Attendance

Explained – Sickness / Incapacity. When students are unwell it is important to keep them at home where they can recover. If this is the case please phone the school as soon as reasonably practicable, on or after the day, but no later than 5 days after illness, and they will be marked as Explained - Sickness / Incapacity.  In the case of absences beyond 5 days a medical certificate may be requested.

Unauthorised – Not an Excusable Circumstance.  School and your child’s education are extremely important and as such having time at home for “down time”  or an extended holiday during the school term or a day off for a birthday is not seen as a reasonable explanation as to why your child is away and will be marked as Unauthorised – Not an Excusable Circumstance.  Home Group Teachers will also make contact with families if your child/children are regularly late for school.

Unauthorised - Unexplained by Parent/Carer.  If your child is away from school and the school has not received a phone call, SMS, email, message via the Schoolzine App or a letter to explain the absence, your child must be marked as Unauthorised - Unexplained by Parent/Carer and an SMS will be sent to parents prior to 10:00am each day your child is absent.

Explained – Other. If your child is away from school and an explanation has been given that meets the criteria set out in the Attendance Procedure, then the child will be marked – Explained – Other.