ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Regular school attendance is essential if students are to maximise their potential. In partnership with parents, staff are responsible for promoting children's regular attendance at school. While parents are legally responsible for the regular attendance of their children, school staff, as part of their duty of care, monitor part and whole-day absences.

Did you know - 1 day absent every week of the Term equals 2 full weeks per Term absent

Missing just 15 minutes every day of the week for every week of a 10 week term equals 12 hrs and 30 minutes - this is 2 full days per term or 8 full days per year!!!

THE IMPORTANCE OF ARRIVING AT SCHOOL ON-TIME

Arriving at school and class on time:

• Ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day

• Helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine

• Give students time to greet their friends before class

• Reduces classroom disruption

• Late arrival is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents.

❓❓❓❓ Did you know that late arrivals and early departures count towards the total number of absences for your child?

THE IMPACT OF NON-ATTENDANCE

Below is a data representation of the impact non-attendance can have over different time periods.

NOTIFICATION OF ABSENCES

Parents must endeavour to provide an explanation for a student's absence within seven calendar days of the absence. If this occurs in conjunction with a term break, they should provide an explanation before the end of the term.

This may be done by:

🔵entering an absence via the Compass Portal

🔵e-mailing the school office - bogadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au

🔵telephoning the school office - (02) 6743 4656

🔵a written note to your child's class teacher

🟩To help explain all absences, the school sends home Unapproved Absence Letters to all families with unexplained absences every Friday. Families are to provide a reason for absence on this letter and return it to the school office within 7 days.

Below is a table with approved absence reasons with examples:

Reason for Absence	Can include	Extra Information
Medical - Illness/Injury	sickness, medical condition or injury	A brief explanation of the illness/injury is required. A Medical Certificate may be requested.

Medical Appointment	medical or paramedical appointment - includes: medical, dental, psychological	The type of appointment is to be specified. Medical Certificates may be requested.

Other Explained Absence	misadventure or unforeseen events participation in special events not related to school domestic necessity such as a serious illness of an immediate family member attendance at funerals travel in Australia and overseas (not to exceed 10 days) recognised religious festivals and ceremonial occasions *being late to school	A brief description/explanation is to be given. If late to school, then a reason is to be given eg: road works, new uniform needed

Travel	Student is absent due to a holiday or travel that is over 10 days.	Specific paperwork MUST be completed and leave approved by the Principal.

Domestic Necessity	IS NOT TO BE USED	NOT TO BE USED

Natural Disaster	IS NOT TO BE USED	Only to be used for Government DECLARED Natural Disasters

If you would like any further information on the above, please don't hesitate to contact the school office.