Wellbeing Hub
Why Attendance Matters
School attendance may not seem like a big deal, but with children only expected to be at school for 180 days at of a 365 year, minus any time for illness or other personal situations that may arise, they still have plenty of time to play, spend time with family and rest.
So why is attendance so important?
Children learn skills by being at school every day that go well beyond the classroom.
-Uninterrupted daily learning allows children to build upon and practise previously taught skills
-Beyond academics, regular attendance builds confidence that they can do hard things, creates accountability and responsibility, and develop skills like resilience and punctuality
-Daily attendance promotes social and emotional skill development: making and maintaining friendships, learning to negotiate and work with people who are different to yourself, creating a strong network and community (proactive factor to good health and wellbeing outcomes)
-Regular attendance supports students to prepare for life outside of school and learn habits that are replicated in the workplace
The Impact of Missing School
-Children miss the educational content that is taught in a sequential manner
-A pattern of absenteeism creates non-routine and makes life feel chaotic (children crave routine and structure)
-Avoiding school because it is challenging or boring teach children that they can avoid doing challenging things or things that make them uncomfortable (which is not always possible)
-Frequent absenteeism can see students lose confidence in themselves, lack motivation and derail their future aspirations
-Children who miss school frequently find it challenging to interact socially and engage with others outside of their family or family-friends
Being absent once or twice a fortnight is all it takes for children to lose structure and routine. Getting them to school gets harder and missing lessons makes them feel overwhelmed.
Things that may help your child feel confident at school:
-Find a routine at home that everyone can stick to
-Prepare your child for the week ahead
-Talk positively about school- look for the benefits of them being a school (friends, play)
-Notice signs of worry or apprehension in your child and talk with their teacher if these persist
- Building their confidence by not allowing rest days where possible (teachers are perceptive and know if you child is struggling- they will contact you)
-Practicing good sleep, hygiene and nutrition habits which will help your child to function at their best
At St. Joseph's Cobram we work with many families to support students to be at school. You are not alone. If you have attendance concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher or our Wellbeing team for support.
Source: Why Your Child’s School Attendance Matters
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