From the Assistant Principal

Dear Families,

ATTENDANCE REMINDERS: Every Day Counts: Why Showing Up Matters

Attending school regularly isn’t just about ticking a box or filling a seat—it is one of the most powerful predictors of a student’s success, wellbeing, and future opportunities.

When students attend school consistently, they aren't just keeping up with lesson plans; they are building habits that set them up for life.

Why Attendance Is a Big Deal

Academic Growth: Learning is cumulative. Each day builds on the last, meaning that missing even a few days can create gaps in fundamental concepts in math, reading and science.
Social & Emotional Wellbeing: School is where young people learn to collaborate, resolve conflicts and make lifelong friends. Regular attendance fosters a sense of belonging and community.
Building Strong Habits: Showing up on time and being present prepares students for the routines of higher education, careers and personal responsibilities.

How Families Can Help

Building strong attendance habits is a team effort between home and school. Here are three simple ways to keep your student on track:

Establish Daily Routines: Consistent bedtime and morning habits help make leaving for school smooth and stress-free.
Schedule Wise: Whenever possible, try to schedule doctor's appointments and family trips outside of school hours.
Talk About School: Ask open-ended questions about their day to keep them excited and engaged in their learning.

We’re Here to Support You

We know life happens—illness, family emergencies and tough days are part of the journey. If your student is struggling with attendance, feeling anxious about coming to school, or falling behind, please reach out to us. Together, we can create a plan to help your child feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

The following table represents what missing school could look like.

Describing Attendance
Percentage	A fortnightly pattern such as…	A term pattern such as…	Could be described as…
95 % +	A rare day away	2 or less days away	Excellent Attendance
90 % - 95 %	½ - 1 day away	3 - 5 days away	Regular Attendance
80 % - 89 %	1-2 days away	5 - 10 days away	Emerging Attendance Concern
70 % - 79 %	2-3 days away	10 - 15 days away	Significant Attendance Concern
< 70 %	More than 3 days away	15 + days away	Critical / Complex Attendance Concern

You are able to check your child's current school attendance percentage when using the desktop version of Compass by clicking on your students profile, selecting the attendance tab and checking the general attendance at the bottom right of the page.

Have a great week,

Jim Heelis

Assistant Principal