A message from the Principal

One of our key school improvement priorities this year is attendance. This is not simply about meeting a target or improving a number. Regular attendance gives children the best opportunity to learn, build friendships, feel connected to their class and participate fully in school life.

Our average student attendance rate for the year so far is 92.2%. I want to begin by thanking the many students and families who make every effort to be at school, on time and ready to learn each day.

Our latest data shows that:

• 31 students, or 9.3% of our students, have maintained perfect attendance so far this year.
• 160 students, or 48.2%, have attended at least 95% of the time, which is our school target.

• 83 students, or 25%, currently have attendance below 90%.

   

An attendance rate of 90% can sound quite high, but it means missing approximately one day every fortnight. Across a full school year, this amounts to around four weeks of missed learning. Attendance below 90% is generally described as chronic absenteeism because of the cumulative impact that this time away can have.

Australian research has consistently found a strong relationship between attendance and achievement. The major Australian study Every Day Counts found that average achievement in reading, writing and numeracy declined as absences increased.

Importantly, the effects of absence were cumulative, with attendance in earlier years associated with achievement in later years. The research found no clear point at which missed days suddenly begin to matter. Instead, every additional day at school provides another opportunity to learn.

Of course, attendance supports much more than academic progress. Children who attend regularly are better able to follow classroom routines, maintain friendships, participate in group learning and feel that they belong. They also avoid the uncomfortable experience of returning to find that the class has moved forward and needing to catch up on missed explanations, discussions and practice.

Our 95% target allows for the reality that children will sometimes become unwell and need to stay home. We certainly do not want children attending when they are genuinely sick. At the same time, we ask families to avoid preventable absences, including extended holidays during term, and to encourage attendance when children are healthy enough to participate.

Families can check their child’s attendance at any time through Compass. Simply log in through the Compass app or web portal, select your child’s profile and open the Attendance section to view their attendance record, including absences and any unexplained attendance entries. We encourage families to check this regularly and provide explanations for outstanding absences. If you believe any information has been recorded incorrectly, please contact the school office so that we can investigate and update the record where appropriate.

We also understand that low attendance is not always straightforward. Illness, anxiety, family circumstances and other barriers can all affect a child’s ability to attend regularly. Our approach is not about blame. If attendance is becoming difficult, we encourage families to speak with us early so that we can understand what is happening and work together on practical support.

With almost half of our students already meeting or exceeding our 95% target, there is much to celebrate. Thank you to the students who arrive each morning ready to take part and to the families whose routines, encouragement and persistence make this possible. These daily efforts may sometimes feel ordinary, but together they give children the strongest foundation for learning, connection and success.

Neil Scott

Principal