Attendance & Engagement

Attendance, Safe Travel & Family Holiday Notifications

Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors supporting student success. Being at school every day helps students build strong learning habits, develop relationships with peers and teachers, and remain connected to the learning program.

Alongside attendance, we continue to focus on safe and efficient drop-off and pick-up procedures to support all members of our school community. When families follow our traffic and safety guidelines, it helps reduce congestion, keeps students safe and ensures a smoother start and end to the school day for everyone.

Attendance Snapshot – Last Two Weeks

Below is a summary of attendance across the school for the past two weeks:

Regular attendance is essential for maintaining learning continuity. Even small improvements in attendance across the school can have a significant positive impact on student progress, wellbeing and engagement.

Kiss & Go Zones – Helping Reduce Congestion

To support safe, efficient drop-off and pick-up, Kiss & Go zones operate at both campuses.

These areas are designed for quick drop-off only to keep traffic moving and reduce congestion during busy school times.

You can find our Kiss & Go points at both of our campuses;

P–6 Kirra Place Campus along Kirra Place

7–9 Coaching Parade Campus along Danthonia Ave

Key Reminders for Kiss & Go

Please ensure you follow these guidelines when using the Kiss & Go zones:

• Maximum stop time: 2 minutes
• Drivers must remain in their vehicle
• Students should exit the car quickly and safely
• Parents/carers should not leave their vehicle or walk students into school from these areas

These expectations help keep traffic flowing and allow all families to access the drop-off area safely.

Using Crossing Points for Safe Travel

Student safety is our priority. We strongly encourage all families and students to use the designated pedestrian crossing points when travelling to and from school.

Using marked crossings:

• improves student visibility to drivers
• reduces traffic risk

• models safe road behaviour for children

   

Thank you for helping reinforce these safe travel habits within our community.

Family Holiday Notification Process

We understand that family holidays and travel opportunities are important experiences for children and families. However, regular attendance at school remains a priority, and we strongly encourage families to plan holidays during school holiday periods wherever possible.

If a family holiday during the school term is unavoidable, the following process must be followed.

Two Weeks Notification

Families must notify the school at least two weeks in advance of any planned family holiday absence. This allows the school to prepare the necessary documentation and support the student’s learning during their absence.

Required Steps

1. Parents notify the school in writing outlining:
   • travel dates
   • destination
   • duration of the absence
2. The school will organise a meeting involving:
   • the Year Level Assistant Principal
   • the classroom teacher
   • the parent/carer
3. The teacher will develop a Student Absence Learning Plan outlining:
   • key learning areas students may miss
   • suggested activities to support learning while away

4. The plan will be shared with families to support learning during the absence.

    

It is important to understand that even approved family holidays are still recorded as absences on the student’s attendance record. The learning plan is designed to support continuity of learning but cannot replace classroom instruction and peer learning experiences. 

If this process is not followed, the absence will be recorded as Parent Choice – Unapproved Holiday.

Working Together

Strong attendance, safe travel and clear communication between families and the school all contribute to a positive learning environment.

When families keep the school informed about absences or upcoming travel, it allows us to:

• maintain accurate attendance records

• support student learning continuity

• provide appropriate assistance where needed

   

Thank you for continuing to support attendance, safety and positive routines across our school community.

Brent Syme

Assistant Principal