A message from the Principal

One of the key priorities in our new School Strategic Plan is student attendance.

When we compare our data with similar schools, we know that students at SKiPPS are missing more days of school each year than we would like. Improving attendance is an important focus for us in 2026.

We are incredibly proud of the work our staff have undertaken over the past few years to strengthen teaching and learning across the school. Every classroom delivers high quality, evidence aligned instruction each day. 

Our data consistently shows that when students attend regularly and arrive on time, they make strong academic progress. They build confidence. They experience success. They lay foundations that support them for the rest of their lives.

However, no matter how strong the teaching program is, this learning cannot happen if a child is not at school.

Our Current Attendance Snapshot

We are now approximately one month into the school year, with around 10 percent of our teaching days already completed. Our current attendance data shows:

It is concerning that almost one in five of our students is already trending towards chronic absence in 2026. Missing 20 or more days of school has a significant impact on learning, social connection and wellbeing.

At the same time, there are positives. We are excited that 59 percent of students are currently on track for attendance above 95 percent. Research shows that this level of attendance has a strong correlation with positive academic and health outcomes, stronger connectedness to school and a greater likelihood of staying engaged in education long term.

Even more encouraging, 165 students have attended every single day so far this year. That is a fantastic start.

Why Attendance Matters

The Department of Education reminds us that every day of learning builds on the day before. 

When students are frequently absent, they can:

• Miss key instruction that cannot simply be “caught up” later
• Experience gaps in knowledge that make future learning harder
• Feel less connected to their peers and teachers

• Develop patterns of disengagement that become harder to reverse over time

   

We understand that children will occasionally be unwell. We also recognise that sometimes families will take leave during term time. Our focus is not on those unavoidable absences. Rather, we are seeking to reduce absences that can be avoided and to ensure that school attendance is prioritised wherever possible.

Working Together

We are asking for the support of all families in making school attendance a daily priority. Being at school, every day and on time, matters.

In the coming weeks, we will be contacting families of students with high levels of absence to arrange meetings and develop support plans. Our goal is not punitive. It is supportive. We want to understand any barriers and work together to ensure every child is in class, learning and thriving as much as possible in 2026.

Every day counts. Every lesson matters. And every student deserves the opportunity to be here, engaged and successful.

Neil Scott

Principal