Attendance & Engagement
🌟 The Power of Showing Up: Supporting Your Child’s Daily Attendance 🌟
At Saltwater, we know that every school day counts. Regular attendance lays the foundation for academic success, strong friendships, and a love of learning. We understand that sometimes absences are unavoidable, especially when a child is genuinely unwell. However, minimising unnecessary absences is one of the most impactful ways you can support your child’s learning journey.
Why Attendance Matters
Students who attend school regularly perform better academically and socially.
Consistent attendance helps children build routines and feel secure in their environment.
It fosters strong connections with peers and teachers, leading to greater confidence and engagement.
How Parents Can Help
1. Build a strong morning routine
Consistency helps children feel calm and ready for the day. Set regular bedtimes and wake-up times to support a smooth start.
2. Schedule appointments wisely
Try to arrange medical and other appointments outside of school hours where possible.
3. Communicate concerns early
If your child is reluctant to come to school, talk to us. We can work together to find out what’s going on and offer support.
4. Set the tone
Children take cues from the adults around them. Show them that school is important and valued.
5. Keep absences for when it’s truly necessary
Mild sniffles, tiredness, or reluctance aren’t always reasons to stay home. If in doubt, check in with the school.
Why Do Some Children Refuse to Go to School?
School refusal is more than just a child not wanting to attend—it’s often a relationship issue. Relationships are at the heart of everything we do, and for children, school is where they begin to learn how to connect with others beyond their families. It's where they navigate friendships, peer groups, and interactions with adults like teachers.
But when these relationships falter—whether due to trust issues, fear, or feeling misunderstood—school can feel overwhelming. For some children, this leads to anxiety and avoidance.
At the core of every healthy relationship are five essential elements: trust, forgiveness, integrity, hope, and compassion. Children must learn these skills to feel safe, supported, and capable of managing the challenges of school life.
Trust allows children to feel secure with peers and teachers.
Forgiveness helps them move past mistakes in relationships.
Integrity encourages honesty and fairness.
Hope builds resilience, helping them face challenges.
Compassion teaches them to care for others and themselves.
When children struggle with these relationship skills, they may feel isolated or unsafe, and their ability to thrive at school is impacted.
In this series, we’ll explore how parents and educators can help children rebuild these skills, strengthen relationships, and feel confident returning to school.
Stay tuned for practical tips and strategies to help your child succeed socially and emotionally.
John Hendry, OAM
Together, Let’s Make Every Day Count!
We appreciate your partnership in helping your child thrive. Let’s work as a team to ensure all students feel supported, safe, and eager to come to school each day.
Thank you,
Brent Syme
Assistant Principal