VICE PRINCIPAL

Hello – Kaya,

OLNA

OLNA will be quickly upon us as the first window for testing opens in late February for Year 11 and 12 students. I will be speaking with students and families so they are well informed prior to the dates. There are several practice and example tests that students can access prior to these dates so as to become familiar with the test delivery website functionality and the types of questions they can expect. 

Meeting the minimum standards for literacy and numeracy is part of achieving the WACE (Western Australian Certificate of Education) at the completion of Year 12. Students and/or families are encouraged to contact me if they have any concerns or questions relating to OLNA.

Attendance 

I have had some queries in regard to student absences and to further explain this I have placed some sections from the College Handbook in this newsletter that students and families agree to when they commence each year.

In the event of a student not attending school an explanation for the absence is sought from parents/guardians.

The following absences will be recorded with an “Authorised” code:

• Medical absences accompanied by a doctor’s certificate.
• Absences for medical reasons of up to two days’ length without doctor’s certification but limited to five days per year, with the exception of days where assessments are scheduled, a medical certificate is required.
• Funerals.
• Approved relevant and privately arranged work release programs.
• Particular justifiable absences negotiated prior to the absence (eg practical driving assessment).

 The following absences will be recorded with an “Unauthorised” code:

• Holidays, birthdays, shopping, attending shows. 
• Medical absences without certification exceeding five days per year or greater than two consecutive days.
• Private work experience not supported by the College.
• Other absences not negotiated in advance with the Principal.

Absences recorded with an “unauthorised” code will result in contact with parents highlighting the need to maximise attendance and a warning of the implications of exceeding thresholds of  unauthorised absences. 

Assessment tasks will not be altered or rescheduled if missed due to any unapproved absence.

At least each school term, student attendance rates are analysed. Parents of students whose attendance is less than 90% will be contacted to seek support in minimising future absences.

Students will lose their Good Standing when their unapproved absences reach set thresholds as detailed below;

• 5 days unapproved absences- two weeks loss of Good Standing.
• 4 days further unapproved absences- two weeks loss of Good Standing.
• 3 days further unapproved absences- two weeks loss of Good Standing.
• 2 days further unapproved absences- two weeks loss of Good Standing.

Good Standing

Students on Good Standing have full access to all College activities and facilities.  A student who has lost their Good Standing: 

• Cannot leave the campus or the inner residential area during the week except for essential purposes or fixtured team events. This includes not being able to access motorbike and mountain bike tracks.
• Cannot drive Farm vehicles and tractors.
• Horses may only be fed and not ridden.
• Can still participate in all recreational activities on weekends.
• Will not be able to attend any non-essential activities or excursions such as Country Week, College Ball, agricultural shows and competitions.
• Will lose the privilege of having a motor vehicle at the College as per student Motor Vehicle Policy.
• May be required to go home for weekends depending on the circumstance.

Students lose Good Standing when they fail to meet their obligations to the Code of Behaviour and the PBS expected behaviours. Students can also lose their Good Standing when their unapproved absences exceed a threshold.

The length of time off Good Standing is determined by the type and nature of the transgressions and/or the length of the period of suspension which precedes it.  For a transgression leading to a suspension, the student will lose Good Standing for one week for each day of suspension, commencing from when they return from suspension. Periods of withdrawal for a day or more will also result in a loss of Good Standing.

Students return to Good Standing through the passage of time or through negotiation of additional duties to benefit the College community. In general, an hour’s additional duty will result in the reduction of one day the student is off Good Standing.