Student Wellbeing and Disability

AP....

Michelle Anderson

📚 The Importance of Regular Attendance at School 📚

At Mitcham PS, we’re committed to helping every child succeed—and regular attendance plays a critical role in achieving this goal. Regular attendance is not only essential for academic progress but also for developing strong social and emotional skills. Attending school every day helps students build friendships, develop resilience, and stay connected to the school community. Research in Australia shows that even small amounts of absenteeism can have a significant impact on a student’s learning, social development, and future opportunities.

 

Why is Attendance Important?

Studies indicate that students who miss as little as 10% of the school year (around 20 days) risk falling behind by up to one full academic year by the time they finish primary school. Regular absences can lead to serious learning gaps, reduced engagement, and a lower likelihood of completing Year 12. Students who attend less than 90% of the time are more likely to struggle academically and socially compared to their regularly attending peers.

 

Effects of Absenteeism

Absenteeism can lead to:

  • Lower academic achievement: Consistently missing school can result in lower Literacy and Numeracy skills, making it difficult for students to catch up with their peers.
  • Reduced social skills: School provides a foundation for social interaction and relationship-building. Students who frequently miss school may struggle with confidence and forming friendships.
  • Increased risk of disengagement: Studies show that students with high absenteeism in primary school are more likely to be disengaged from school by secondary school, impacting their future success.

How You Can Help

We know that sometimes absences are unavoidable due to illness or other family matters and in this instance, we ask that you please add an attendance note to Compass to advise the school that your child will be absent. 

Please support your child’s learning by making school attendance a priority. If your child is facing challenges with attendance, our school staff are here to help. Together, we can make sure every student has the opportunity to thrive.

 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or the office.

 

Michelle Anderson

Assistant Principal