From the Assistant Principal

Dear Families, 

WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY

Friday 16th May is Walk Safely to School Day. As a family, discuss walking part or all of the way to school on this day. Our student leadership team would like to see how many less cars we can get in the turning circle on this day. Students will receive a piece of fruit for walking to school.

ABSENCES DURING SCHOOL TERM

Did you know that if a student misses as little as eight days in a school term, by the end of primary school they will have missed over a year of education? 

In New South Wales, all children from six years of age are legally required to attend school or be registered for home schooling. Children are expected to attend all school activities, on time. Regular attendance helps your child: − develop the skills needed to access the world of work and other opportunities − to learn the importance of punctuality and routine − make and keep friendships.

Principals help to ensure the safety, welfare and wellbeing of your child. Principals have to keep accurate records of student attendance and the reasons for any absences. Principals are responsible for accepting or not accepting a parent’s explanations for their child’s absences. 

Principals may request further information from parents for long or frequent absences, even where they are explained by parents as being due to illness. When absences are unexplained by parents, or the explanations are not accepted by the principal, the school will work with parents to help address the issue. The main aim is to sort out what is preventing the child from getting to school and putting strategies in place to help. Sometimes, the school will ask support staff and other agencies to assist.

If you plan to take extended leave (5 days or more) during the school term, an exemption needs to be applied for prior to the absence. Please contact the office for more details. 

WINTER UNIFORM

Winter uniform will begin on Monday 12th May (Week 3). All students are expected to be in full winter uniform from this date.

Have a great week, 

Jim Heelis

Assistant Principal