Pastoral Care

School attendance & why it matters

Brigidine College has excellent attendance rates, with students overall experiencing high levels of engagement and belonging, evident in the responses from the Tell Them From Me surveys and PIVOT data, as well as our attendance data. However, if you have been the recipient of letters from the school regarding “concern for pattern of attendance/lateness”, you may be questioning, why? Please understand that schools have a duty of care to monitor, follow up, and maintain accurate records of student attendance.

The Education Act 1990 requires that parents ensure that children are enrolled in and attend school. In New South Wales, school attendance is compulsory for all children from the age of six until they complete Year 10 (with further education, training, or employment until the age of 17). Students over 17 years of age who are enrolled at a school are required to attend school regularly to meet HSC course requirements. Parents and guardians play a vital role in student attendance and are legally responsible for ensuring regular daily attendance, unless there is a valid reason for the absence.

Research shows that attendance below 90% places students at risk of lessened educational outcomes. Missing just one day per fortnight equates to approximately four weeks of learning lost each year.

Regular school attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. Yet, attendance is about more than just being in the classroom. Each day at school provides valuable opportunities for learning, social development, building life skills and positive relationships with peers and teachers. When students attend consistently, they are more likely to achieve academic success, develop confidence, and feel connected to their school.

The NSW Department of Education identifies attendance rates as follows:

• 95–100% attendance: Excellent attendance, supporting strong educational outcomes
• 90–94% attendance: Attendance should be monitored to prevent further decline
• 80–89% attendance: Attendance is becoming a concern and intervention may be required
• Below 80% attendance: Considered critical, with significant impacts on learning, wellbeing, and future achievement 

Pastoral Care Coordinators will flag students with concerning attendance rates; and in consultation with families, develop and implement Attendance Improvement Plans to identify barriers to full attendance, set goals over a designated period, and implement structures to support students and their families. This is not a punitive measure: rather a means to identify challenges, implement support structures, and work towards improving attendance. Should these rates not improve, we review and develop further Attendance Improvement Plans and escalate to Sydney Catholic Schools (should the College require further support). 

Please see below for some strategies to assist with daily routines and conversations to support attendance.

Strategy 1: Clear, calm, and consistent morning and evening routines

Strategy 2: The “First Step” Rule

Thinking about the whole school day can feel overwhelming. Instead of focusing on the entire day, help your child focus on one small step at a time.

•  “Let’s just get your feet on the floor.”
•  “Let’s just get dressed.”
•  “Let’s just get to the car.”
•  “Let’s just walk through the gate.”

We are here to support you and your daughter, so please reach out to your Pastoral Care Teachers, Coordinators, or myself for further guidance. 

Sarah Charles

Director of Pastoral Care