Attendance Report 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Here at Melton West Primary School we strongly advocate that going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day – missing school puts them behind.

If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify our school as soon as possible on the day of absence using one of the following methods:

1. Online: using our Class Dojo IT App to notify and explain the reason for your child’s absence, to their classroom teacher.
2. Telephone: call school office and let the staff know your child’s name, class, date of absences and reason of absence. 
3. Face-to-Face: speaking with your child’s teacher on the day or prior to the day they will be absent. 

Notifying our school of your child’s absence either prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and will fulfil your legal responsibility.

Why do I need to notify Melton West Primary School if my child is absent?

Our school need to know when and why your child is absent and you need to know if your child isn’t at school. 

From the end of Term 2 2018, all Victorian government schools are required to contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence. If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not contacted our school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained.

This system also promotes daily school attendance. 

What is your responsibility?

You are legally required to ensure your child attends school every day or you must provide an explanation for their absence. You should let our school know in advance of any upcoming absences or let us know in the morning if your child won’t be at school. In order for our school to implement the same day notification requirement successfully, it’s essential that you provide our school with your most up-to-date contact details.

Generally one notification will be sent per family. Should there be circumstances that require both parents and carers to be notified, please contact our school on 9743-5818 to make the necessary arrangements. 

What is the Melton West Primary School’s responsibility?

Our school must notify you of an unexplained absence in relation to your child as soon as practicable on the same day. 

Our school will let you know either by our  school’s online communications app, SMS, phone call or email. If you can’t be reached because the school does not have your correct contact details (i.e. changed phone number, SMS/email failure notification received etc.), our school will attempt to make contact with any emergency contact/s nominated on your child’s file held by the school. Where possible, this contact will be made on the same day of the unexplained absence.

Where can I learn more about the process for managing student absences?

Ask us for a copy of our current Attendance Policy which outlines the school’s processes and procedures for monitoring, recording and following-up of student absences.

Kind Regards,

Aira Agarano  

Engagement and Attendance Officer