Attendance community connectedness 

During Term Three the College has been monitoring the number of students arriving late to school in the morning.  When a student does arrive late to school in the morning,  they must sign in at student services where they will be marked as late on the compass roll and receive a pink slip to give to their class teacher. All students sign in when arriving late to school in the morning, before heading to their locker to get their materials. In the morning, if your student is on the Pearcedale or Skye bus and it arrives after the Home Group bell an announcement is made and staff are made aware. These students have approximately a 5 minute buffer to get to their allocated class, without having to sign in.  Outside of late arrivals to school in the morning, any student who comes to school late throughout the day will need to sign in firstly at student services before heading to their locker or class. A pink slip will be issued and their lateness noted on the compass roll. 

Parents/ Carers will need to log and approve any absences/latest to compass.   

Being on time for school is crucial for several reasons:

1. Establishing a Routine: Consistent punctuality helps children develop a sense of responsibility and discipline. Arriving on time sets a positive tone for the day and helps establish a routine that they can carry into adulthood.
2. Maximising Learning Time: The beginning of the school day often includes important announcements, instructions, and the introduction of new material. When students arrive late, they miss these critical elements, which can hinder their understanding and progress in their studies.
3. Reducing Classroom Disruptions: Late arrivals can disrupt the flow of the class and distract other students. Ensuring that your child is on time helps maintain a focused and productive learning environment for everyone.
4. Promoting Academic Success: Studies have shown a strong correlation between attendance, punctuality, and academic achievement. Students who regularly arrive on time are more likely to perform well academically, as they are fully engaged in all learning activities.
5. Building Good Habits: Punctuality is a valuable life skill that extends beyond the classroom. By encouraging your child to be on time, you are helping them develop habits that will benefit them in their future educational and professional endeavours.

Students arriving late to class, not late to school do not sign in at student services. They head to class and the lateness will be addressed by the class teacher.  We understand that occasional delays are sometimes unavoidable, but we kindly request that every effort be made to ensure your student/s  arrive at school on time each day. At Elisabeth Murdoch College, we believe in a strong partnership with parents and carers to support our students. By fostering positive attitudes toward school, establishing strong routines at home, and setting clear expectations, you can greatly enhance your child's educational experience. 

Simple actions like:

Talking positively about school and the importance of attending every day.

Booking family holidays, routine medical and dental appointments and birthday celebrations during weekends or the 10 weeks of school holidays, not on a school day.

Establishing routines, teenagers should:

• Have a set time to go to bed. 
• Leave electronic devices out of bedrooms, and don’t use at least 30 minutes before sleeping.
• Pack bags the night before, get uniform out. 
• Have a nutritious breakfast.
• Expect your child to go to school; instead of allowing them to stay home to finish an assignment, discuss with them how to improve their study habits and time management.

Remember, every school day counts. Working together, we can ensure your child reaches their full potential. If you ever have concerns about your child’s attendance or connection to school, please don’t hesitate to contact us for support. Let’s make every day a step toward a brighter future for our students!

Importance of staying in school:

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