From the Assistant Principal

Congratulations, Foundation I! 

A big congratulations to Foundation I for receiving our September Attendance Award with an impressive 97.4% attendance rate! 

Well done to our Foundation I students and families for making every day count!

Every Day Counts at Park Orchards Primary School

Why attendance matters

Every day at school is an opportunity for children to learn, build friendships and feel connected to their school community. Regular attendance helps students develop confidence, establish positive routines and make the most of their learning.

As parents and carers, you play an important role in supporting your child’s school attendance. While illness and family circumstances sometimes make absences unavoidable, aiming for regular attendance helps children get the best out of their time at school.

Every day makes a difference

When students attend school regularly, they have more opportunities to:

• Build on their learning. Each lesson builds on previous learning, helping students develop their knowledge, skills and confidence.
• Strengthen friendships. Spending time with classmates helps children develop social skills, build relationships and feel a sense of belonging.
• Develop positive habits. Attending school regularly and arriving on time helps children develop responsibility, resilience and independence.
• Enjoy school life. Being at school allows students to participate in classroom activities, sport, special events and other opportunities that enrich their learning.

Small absences can add up

Even occasional absences can add up over the course of a school year. As the infographic below shows, attending 90% of the time equates to missing approximately 24 school days across a year. Arriving late regularly can also mean missing important instructions, classroom discussions and the start of learning activities.

When students miss school, catching up on missed learning can sometimes feel challenging. Regular attendance helps students maintain their progress, stay connected with their peers and feel confident in the classroom.

Working together to support attendance

At Park Orchards Primary School, we understand that every family’s circumstances are different. Illness, family commitments and other challenges can sometimes affect attendance. Our focus is on working in partnership with families to understand any barriers and support students to attend school as regularly as possible.

If your child is finding it difficult to attend school, or there are circumstances affecting their attendance, please reach out to us. Early communication helps us work together to identify the support your child may need.

Thank you for partnering with us to make every day count. When children are well enough to attend, being at school and arriving on time helps them make the most of their learning, friendships and school experiences.