Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
Attendance at School
As the last two and a bit years have shown, being at school is a privilege. For most students it is where they learn best because learning is as much a social experience as it is an intellectual process. It is easy to sometimes rationalise or shrug off a student missing the odd day here and there but as the table below shows missing school can have significant consequences.
The Importance of Being at School on Time Every Day | |||
| Late to school by | That equals … | Over a year … | Over 13 years of schooling |
| 10 min per day | 50 min per week | 1.5 weeks a year | Half a year |
| 20 min per day | 1 hr 40 min per week | 2.5 weeks per year | Nearly 1 year |
| 30 min per day | Half a day a week | 4 weeks per year | Nearly 1.5 years |
| 60 min per day | 1 day a week | 8 weeks per year | Over 2.5 years |
The Importance of Being at School Every Day | |||
| Away from school | That equals … | In weeks … | Over 13 years of schooling … |
| 1 day a fortnight | 20 days a year | 4 weeks a year | 1.5 years missed |
| 1 day a week | 40 days a year | 8 weeks per year | 2.5 years missed |
| 2 days a week | 80 days a year | 16 weeks per year | 5 years missed |
| 3 days a week | 120 days a year | 24 weeks per year | 8 years missed |
Why is regular attendance at school important?
Regular school attendance will mean that your child has a better chance in life. Your child will achieve better when they go to school all day, every school day.
- they learn better
- they make friends
- they are happier
- they have a brighter future.
We understand that for some families, getting their child to school can be difficult. Are you having problems getting your child to school for some of these reasons?
- won’t get out of bed in the morning
- won’t go to bed at night
- can’t find their uniform, books, school bag
- slow to eat breakfast
- haven’t done their homework
- watching a device or playing games
- have a test or presentation to do, have an assignment to hand in
- it’s their birthday.
If so, a set routine can help
- have a set time to go to bed
- have a set time to get out of bed
- eliminate all devices from the bedroom
- have uniform and school bag ready the night before
- have a set time for starting and finishing breakfast
- set a time for daily homework activities
- speak about school positively
- be firm, send your child to school every school day including their birthday and the last day of term!
What should I do if my child won’t go to school?
You can find some excellent videos about school refusal and belonging and friendship on the SchoolTV website which can be accessed through the College website. Furthermore, you should contact the College as soon as possible for advice and support. We will work with you to create a plan moving forward. Please contact your child’s Mentor teacher, Leader of Student Care, or College Psychologist for further advice and help with school refusal.
https://mccarthy.nsw.schooltv.me/
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Mr Mick Larkin - Assistant Principal - Pastoral