Attendance Update

At the mid-point of the 2020 school year, it is an appropriate moment to look back and reflect on how student attendance has tracked in Semester 1. 

Semester 1 Attendance

The COVID-19 pandemic has, without a doubt, had a significant impact on our everyday lives. Schools are certainly not immune, especially in the current environment where we are needing to be flexible in response to the ebbs and flows of the pandemic on our community, and our attendance data certainly reflects the changing nature of things in the community.

As a school community, we should be proud of the level of engagement throughout the Remote Learning period. This was capped off last week with our best attendance rates for the year across each year level, and we hope to build on this success in Semester 2.

As of the end of Semester 1, our average attendance across each year level is:

• Year 7 - 79.75%
• Year 8 - 74.17%
• Year 9 - 68.25%
• College-wide - 74.06%

Requirements Around Attendance

The Department of Education and Training (DET) has clear requirements around regular student attendance:

Students are expected to attend the school in which they are enrolled, during normal school hours every day of each term, unless a) there is an approved exemption from school attendance or attendance and enrolment for the student, or b) the student is registered for home schooling and has only a partial enrolment in a school for particular activities (Attendance Policy, DET)

Naturally, if your child is unwell or in exceptional circumstances, they may not attend school. It is important that these reasons are logged onto Compass as an attendance note, so that the College and your child's teachers are aware.

As we prepare for our foundation cohort to begin VCE in the coming years, it is also important to note that students are required to be present for 90% of each subject in order to be eligible for an S in that particular subject. 

In the current environment, families are understandably concerned for their child's and family members' health. If you need further advice around this, please read the DET's advice to families regarding attendance: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/going-to-school/Pages/attendance-missing-school.aspx.

In line with Victorian Government requirements, all government schools - including Edgars Creek Secondary College - have comprehensive steps in place to ensure that we are managing the varying needs of all students in this difficult time. You can read more about this at: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/Pages/coronavirus-advice-parents.aspx.

Please continue to reach out and communicate with the College if you have any queries or concerns around your child's attendance. We are always willing to help and support you and your child in ensuring that they are regularly attending school and having ample opportunity to engage with their learning.

Anthony Asta

Leading Teacher - Timetabling & Data Management