From the Principal

Fiona McAuliffe

Learning Together: Why Every Day Counts

At Good News Lutheran College, we celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our diverse community. With many families maintaining strong ties to their country of origin, we understand the importance of travel for compassionate and cultural reasons. However, it’s vital to consider the academic impact of extended absences.

Research from the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) shows that students who miss more than 10 days per term are significantly less likely to meet year-level benchmarks. Even a single week away—five school days—can result in a loss of continuity, reduced engagement, and gaps in foundational learning. For younger students, this can mean missing key literacy and numeracy concepts; for older students, it can disrupt assessment preparation and collaborative projects.

 

A single week of absence (5 days) can result in:

  • Missed introduction of key concepts
  • Disrupted learning routines
  • Reduced confidence and engagement upon return
  • Difficulty catching up, especially in cumulative subjects like mathematics

     

These effects are magnified when absences are frequent or extended. For students from culturally diverse backgrounds, maintaining strong school attendance helps bridge educational gaps and supports long-term success.

 

Attendance is more than just being present—it’s about building routines, relationships, and resilience. Every day at school contributes to a student’s academic growth, social development, and emotional wellbeing. While we support families during times of need, we encourage careful planning around non-essential travel.

 

Let’s work together to ensure our students thrive. If you’re considering an extended leave of absence, please speak with your child’s teacher as a first step. For leave requests of five days or more, we kindly ask that you submit your request directly to the Principal via email at principal@goodnews.vic.edu.au for consideration.

 

In education to get the best outcomes: every day counts—and every student matters.

 

Fiona McAuliffe  

College Principal