From the Principal Team

SWIMMING SPORTS

Last week the colour and fun of the annual house swimming sports was again on display at Aquamoves. Congratulations to Craig Martin for his organisation on the day and the many staff who assisted him in ensuring the event was again a success. The friendly and relaxed atmosphere created by the students and staff through their enthusiastic support for the participants was fantastic to witness.

CAR DROP OFF & PICK UP POINTS

Hawdon Street (out the front of the School) is extremely busy before, during and after school. We ask all parents and guardians, for the safety of you and your child, to please use Feshti Street as your car drop off and pick up point.

XUNO Learning Portal

Trouble logging in?

If you have lost your Parent Portal password or have trouble logging in, please either contact the school office on 58214322 or email the school at shepparton.hs@edumail.vic.gov.au. A new password will be emailed home to your address.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY

Aims

To maximise student learning opportunities and performance by ensuring that children required to attend school do so regularly, and without unnecessary absences
Creation of a safe, supportive learning environment, where all students experience success through active participation and engagement in purposeful learning
Importance of regular school attendance recognised by whole school community
Early identification and supportive intervention with students at risk of non-attendance

Expectations

School:

Encourage attendance through clear statements of high expectations and effective procedures
Adopt a strategic approach to improve student attendance levels
Record and monitor attendance regularly.
Pursue and record an explanation for every absence
Identify at an early stage students who are not attending or who have inconsistent patterns of attendance
Provide targeted support for students with attendance issues
Work collaboratively with individual students and parents to improve attendance

Parent/Carer:

Ensure that your child attends and is on time for school on every school day
Know and actively support the school attendance policy
Contact the school early on the first day of absence and inform the school why your child is away
Notify the school in advance if you know that your child will be absent
Organise appointments and holidays out of school time
Work with the school if your child is absent for a prolonged period of time so that your child can continue their learning
Ensure that contact details for the child are correct and up to date

Student:

Attend school every day that you are required to be there
Arrive on time for every class
Give information to the teacher from their parent when you have been away
Stay at school all day unless you have adult permission to leave
Talk with the teachers to catch up on essential work you have missed through absence
Work with the school to improve your attendance if your attendance has been inconsistent

Requirements

Years 7, 8, 9 & 10

Students are required to attend 100% of their classes for each term. Where attendance falls below 90% each term, the school will alert the parents. If communication between the school and parents does not improve the attendance, the student will be at risk of not being promoted to the next year level.

Years 11 and 12

All students are required to attend 100% of timetabled classes. If absent without approval for 10% or more of classes the student will be awarded an “N”. If overall attendance is less than 70% the student will have to appear before the VCE Review Panel to show cause as to why an N should not be awarded.

Notifying absences

Parent or guardian should ring Shepparton High School on 58214322 or on FlexiBuzz as early as possible (Preferably before 9am on the day of absence). Notify the school in advance if an absence is planned. If the school has not been contacted, absence notes are to be given to the school office the day following the absence.

Late to school

Students should be at school by 8.50 am so that they can be organised in time for periods 1 and 2. Students arriving after 9:00 am must report to the General Office for a Late Pass. If a student has to leave the school grounds during the day then a note requesting permission is required, and students must sign-out at the General Office and sign-in if returning on the day.

Late arrivals and early departures from school affect a student’s overall attendance.

Extended absence

We understand that, whilst not ideal, it is sometimes unavoidable. In the event of an extended absence, it is a requirement that an agreed Student Absence Learning Plan is implemented, and on return from an extended absence a meeting must be convened to ensure the student is on track to completing all outcomes for the semester. Parents should contact the school well in advance of planned trips, e.g. overseas trips, and sign a letter confirming dates and work to be organised for their child. Students may be at risk of not progressing to the next year level if families have not contacted the school and work has not been organised and completed.

Information for parents

On average how many days is your child absent each year?

10 days or less - This is within normal range. Your child is able to take full advantage of the learning opportunities available to them.

11 - 20 days - This attendance is of concern as your child could miss up to one year of school between Prep and Year 10

21 - 40 days - This is a poor attendance rate as your child could miss out on up to two years of school between Prep and Year 10

Over 40 days - This is a very poor attendance rate as your child could miss out on up to two and one half years of school between Prep and Year 10!

Remember:

Students need to attend school regularly to reach their full learning potential
Poor attendance makes it difficult for children to connect with their friends and develop socially
There is a direct link between school attendance and achievement later in life
Poor patterns of attendance can become a habit which is very difficult to change
When young people are in school every day they are less likely be involved in harmful situations

Contact the school if you are concerned about your child's attendance.

Information for students

Are you having trouble getting to school or classes and you don't know what to do? Try talking to one of the following people at your school:

Your Teacher Advisor can help you get organised in your learning and give assistance with any general problems
The Year Level Team Leaders or Assistant Principal can work with other teachers in getting you appropriate support in your learning
School Welfare Coordinator, Family Liaison Officer, Koorie Educator, Chaplain and Counsellors can help you to make your learning more relevant and focussed on your future
Your friends can help you keep connected and give you support in different classes

UPCOMING EVENTS

School Captain Induction Assembly - March 2

Snr Summer Sports March 8

Labour Day Holiday March 12

Year 7 Welcome Dinner March 14

Join the band Night March 14

Torquay OE Surf Camp March 13-15

Biology Field Trip March 20-22

Year 7 Immunisation March 20

Year 12 Drive4Life March 20

Hume Swimming March 20

Beacon Business Breakfast & Pledge March 22