Principal's Report

Every Day Counts - The importance of regular school attendance

At Brentwood Secondary College, we prioritise regular school attendance. We will work with families to ensure students are in class with their peers and teachers and enjoying all the benefits that brings.  

Attending school every day means experiencing what counts – the learning, friendship, fun and opportunities that can shape your child’s future. Regular attendance builds habits that support lifelong learning, resilience, and active participation in society, underscoring the need for schools, families, and communities to work together to reduce avoidable absences. 

Missing one day per fortnight adds up to missing four weeks of school a year. 

We understand that there are times when your child will need to miss school but to ensure minimal disruption to their education, please schedule family holidays or medical/dental appointments outside of school time. If your child is well enough to attend but is worried about friendships, schoolwork or assessments, please encourage them to come to school. Avoiding school can make these feelings worse and can create a negative pattern of behaviour.  

If your child is having difficulty attending school, talk to their Teacher, House Leader or a member of the Wellbeing Team about getting support.  

We know that parents and carers can be juggling challenges daily to get your children to school. If your child must miss school, notify us as soon as possible, via phoning the Attendance Officer or recording the absence on Compass, so we can work together to support them. 

Remember, Every Day Counts. 

Reconciliation Action Plan 

At Brentwood, we are in the process of developing a Reconciliation Action Plan. Schools develop a RAP using the Narragunnawali platform to register and extend on existing initiatives and to begin their Reconciliation Action Plan. 

The Narragunnawali program has tools and resources for schools to take action towards reconciliation between non-First Nations Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  The Brentwood Reconciliation Action Plan will document how our school will strengthen relationships, respect and opportunities in the classroom, around the school and with the community. A Reconciliation Action Plan is a formal commitment to reconciliation. 

For more information about the Reconciliation Action Plan process please go to Narragunnawali - Narragunnawali Home. If you would like to share any ideas, initiatives or contacts, please email the college at brentwood.sc@education.vic.gov.au.  

Peter Rhodes

Associate Principal