Wellbeing Hub

Importance of School Attendance

Daily school attendance is important for young people to succeed in education and to ensure they don’t fall behind both socially and developmentally.  Young people who regularly attend school have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives (DOBCEL Attendance Policy, 2020). 

Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the number of student absences that fit into our school non-approved absences category.  We understand there are times that are unavoidable, though hope to be able to work with families to ensure school attendance is prioritised. 

Examples ofapproved absences include: 

• Medical and dental appointments, where out of hours appointments are not possible or not appropriate

• Bereavement or attendance at the funeral of a relative or friend of the student

• A student attending Sorry Business

• School refusal – if a plan is in place with the parent and relevant external agencies such as Navigator (DEET) to address the causes

• Cultural observance, if the parent notifies the school in advance

• Extended family leave and a consultation has taken place with the school around student engagement in their learning

Examples of absences a principal would not be expected to approve: 

• Approval has not been sought in advance or in accordance with school policy

• The student is absent due to participating in leisure or social activities without approval

• The conditions of approval have not been met (eg. Student Absence Learning Plan (SALP) for extended family leave not completed)

• The parent has provided no explanation for the absences

• Family holidays during school term, where notification has not been made and relevant SALP documents have not been completed. School work may not be provided for students that take family holiday leave during term time, this is at the discretion of the teacher.

Navigator - Department of Education Program

Navigator is a Department of Education Program which supports disengaged young people return to education and learning. As a school, we are mandated to report student attendance data and must refer students to Navigator if they have attended 30% of less of the previous school term or equivalent eg. the previous 10 weeks of school. 

Please work in partnership with us at Monivae to ensure that your child attends school and that they can experience the positive benefits and outcomes that come from school engagement. 

Ms Kate Couchman

Director Student Wellbeing