Wellbeing

Wellbeing Leader - Mr Nick Flavel

Attendance - Every Day Counts

Regular school attendance plays an important role in helping children feel connected, confident and successful at school. Every day at school provides opportunities for students to learn, build friendships, develop routines and participate in the life of our school community.

When students attend regularly, they are more likely to keep up with their learning and develop positive relationships with their teachers and peers. Even missing one day can mean missing important learning, conversations, classroom experiences or opportunities to practice new skills. Over time, absences can add up and make it more difficult for students to stay on track.

Attendance is also about belonging. Being at school each day helps students feel that they are an important and valued member of their class and school community. Consistent routines can also support children's wellbeing, confidence and connection to others.

We understand that children are sometimes unwell or that there are circumstances when an absence is unavoidable. However, when your child is well enough to attend, we encourage families to make regular attendance a priority.

School attendance and absenteeism can be understood on a spectrum. Beginning with full attendance through to school refusal and dropout.By viewing school attendance challenges on this spectrum, families, schools and mental health professionals can recognise when young people begin to exhibit early warning signs. Often, parents and carers will be the first to notice these early warning signs, but school staff are also well placed to recognise and identify emerging patterns of behaviour that may develop into more serious school attendance challenges without intervention.

As parents and carers, you can support positive attendance by:

• establishing consistent morning and bedtime routines;

• encouraging your child to attend school every day they are well enough to do so;

• talking positively about school, learning and friendships;

• communicating with the school if your child is experiencing difficulties with attendance or coming to school; and

• seeking support early if your child is becoming reluctant or anxious about attending.

At St Bernards Primary School, we want every child to have the opportunity to learn, connect and flourish. Every day matters, every child matters, and every day at school is an opportunity to learn and belong.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child's attendance and wellbeing.