Student Attendance

Supporting every student to be at school: a review across CET schools

Catholic Education Tasmania (CET) is reviewing student attendance across its schools, so that every student has the best chance to be at school, learning and feeling they belong.

Why a review? 

Being at school matters for learning and belonging. For some students, getting to school is hard. The reasons include illness (including mental health), family circumstances, caring responsibilities, learning needs, friendships and feeling safe. Often these are outside a student’s or family’s control. The review aims to understand what is happening and what helps, so schools can notice earlier, respond with understanding and offer the right support. 

What is happening? 

CET is looking at attendance patterns across schools in groups, not as individual students, and reading research and what other states do. Rosa Connell from CET’s Pastoral Care and Wellbeing team will also be visiting some schools in the north, north-west and south of the state, speaking with staff and students in small focus groups. 

What it is not 

This review is not about blaming or penalising any student, family or school. It will not report on individual students or families. 

If getting to school is hard 

Please contact Ms Farron Boxall via email: farron.boxall@mountcarmel.tas.edu.au 

We would like to work with you, and you only need to share what you are comfortable sharing. 

What next? 

We expect findings to be shared with schools in due course.