It's Not Ok To Be Away

Attending school on a regular basis is vital for all students in Prep to Grade 6 so that they can access all they need to learn throughout their 7 years of primary schooling. This attendance is related to curriculum in that if the students have a high absence rate, their immersion in the curriculum is severely reduced. 

If a student has a day off, once a fortnight, this would add up to 20 days in a school year (approximately 40 weeks in a school year). 20 days is the same as missing a tenth of a school year.

A key message that needs to be embraced by schools, parents, and the wider community is that “It’s Not OK to be Away”. The ‘fallout’ of poor attendance is very real. Students will be at risk of not achieving their potential and therefore limit their life choices. 

Remember

• Students need to attend school regularly to make the most of educational opportunities.
• There is a direct link between school attendance and achievement later in life.
• Poor patterns of attendance in the early years lead to poor patterns of attendance throughout the school years.
• Poor attendance makes it difficult for children to form positive relationships with their peers.