Principal's Report
School Assembly Friday the 29th
The Honourable Minister James Merlino will be presenting our students leaders badges including our class student representative council students, Enviro members, House Captains and School Captains. We will also be presenting our usual awards and our year 6 polos and hoodies.
EVERY DAY COUNTS!
Since the beginning of the year some students have already missed several days of school. Regular school attendance is vital and missing school days can have a big impact on your child’s future – missing one day a fortnight will miss four full weeks by the end of the year.
From Prep to Year 12 that adds up to 1.5 years of school!
The table below covers how much might be missed over 13 years. Going to school every day is the one of the most important parts of your child’s education. Students learn new things every day and missing school puts them behind.
| 5 days off per year is approximately a day off every 8 weeks Just 5 days off per year adds up to 7 weeks of missed every 8 weeks schooling throughout |
| 10 days off per year is approximately a day off every 4 weeks 10 days off per year adds up to 14 weeks of missed schooling throughout your child’s time |
15 days off per year is approximately a day off every 2 1/2 weeks 15 days off per year adds up to 21 weeks of missed schooling throughout your child’s time |
| 20 days off per year is approximately a day off every 2 weeks 20 days off per year adds up to 28 weeks of missed schooling throughout your child’s time at Primary School which is nearly ¾ of a year missed of school over the 7 Primary School years. |
Why regular attendance is so important
Teachers often present new concepts in a sequential way, so missing out a day of school can mean missing out on the fundamentals. It’s hard to make up this learning so keeping student absences to a minimum is essential.
Friendships and socialising can also be interrupted when children are frequently absent, which can be distressing for children.
Every day that a student misses is associated with lower achievement in numeracy, writing and reading.
What we do know is that attendance patterns are established early in life and will often continue unless non-attendance is addressed.
What you can do to support regular attendance
First, there are always times when a student becomes ill, and in this instance they should stay home to recover. It’s vital however that they are only away when genuinely sick.
To assist with good health and minimise illness children need to have a good sleeping pattern, eat well and exercise regularly.
Families are encouraged to think twice before giving children a ‘day off’ unless they are genuinely sick.
If your child is experiencing any issues such as not wanting to come to school then please alert your classroom teacher. Working together on such matters is most helpful.
What to do if your child has been absent
Talk to your child’s teacher and find out what work needs to be done to keep up with learning.
Remember, that every day counts. If your child must miss school, speak with your classroom teacher especially if the absence is longer than a couple of days.
Similarly being late to school can have a considerable impact over the whole school year.
The table shows you just how much time can be missed through a year by being just a little bit late every day.
| 5 minutes late every day = 3 days of school lost a year |
| 10 minutes late every day = 6.5 days of school lost a year |
| 15 minutes late every day = 10 days of school lost a year |
| 20 minutes late every day = 13 days of school lost a year |
| 30 minutes late every day = 19 days of school lost a year |
Just as important as regular attendance is punctuality. Our first bell goes at 8:50am to allow students to come inside and settle, music plays at 8:57am with the aim that students will be in class, organised and ready for their school day to start at 9:00am. If you are finding that you are regularly late, please take the time to look at the morning routines and see if there is something which can be changed to help you get your child to school on time each day. As well as the missed learning time, your child being late also impacts the other students in the class as teachers time is taken up re-introducing the learning tasks and means that your child is playing catch up from the time they enter the room. If the school can be of any assistance please feel free to make a time to see me to discuss the issue.
Have a great week everyone.
Tabitha