Every Day Counts

The importance of regular school attendance.

At Lakes Entrance 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.

We understand that there are times when your child will need to miss school but to ensure minimal disruption to their education, please consider scheduling 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 exams, 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, a member of the Wellbeing Team, or Pauline Rouget, our Attendance Officer, 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 telephone on

5155 2982 or compass so we can work together to support them.

For more information about the importance of everyday attendance, see https://www.vic.gov.au/attendance-and-missing-school

Remember, Every Day Counts.

Attendance

Immunisation Saves Lives

The Department of Health has recently drawn attention to the nation’s declining vaccination coverage in their Annual Report 2024-25. Immunisation saves lives and is a proven and safe way to protect against diseases.

The protection provided by some childhood immunisations fades over time and needs to be boosted in adolescence. Secondary school students are at an age when some vaccines will be most effective and provide protection before possible exposure to a disease.

Making sure your child receives their secondary school immunisations will help to keep them healthy and well through secondary school and into adulthood.

What is the Secondary School Immunisation Program?

The National Immunisation Program <https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/when-to-get-vaccinated/national-immunisation-program-schedule?language=und> aims to protect the community from vaccine preventable diseases. As part of the program, free vaccines are offered to Year 7 and Year 10 secondary school students.

The following vaccines are recommended:

Year 7

Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

Year 10

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine

East Gippsland Shire provide the Secondary School Immunisation Program. For adolescents not attending school, or who have missed some of their school immunisations, vaccinations are available from your local GP, pharmacy or any of the East

Gippsland Shire immunisation sessions by appointment. To book a free council immunisation session please visit https://portal.cirv.vic.gov.au/

To see if your child is due for any immunisations, check your child’s immunisation history statement on the Australian Immunisation Register using your MyGov account. If your child is over 14 years old, they will need to access their immunisation history statement themselves through their own MyGov account or the Medicare mobile app.

Stay tuned for 2026 school immunisation dates.

To learn more about the Secondary School Immunisation Program in Victoria visit: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/immunisation-in-secondary-schools

headspace

Any young people wanting to access Telehealth or face-to-face headspace appointments in Bairnsdale over the holidays can contact Gwen in Wellbeing to arrange a referral.

What is Learning for Life?

The Learning for Life program is a partnership between your family and The Smith Family to support their children’s education and increase their chances of success at school.

Please refer to the attachments below for further information about the program.

ScrollSafe

Department of Education has partnered with Orygen. Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, to develop ScrollSafe.

Social media is a huge part of everyday life but sometimes it can get overwhelming, or even mess with our mood and wellbeing. It’s not about quitting social media. It’s about learning how to use it in a way that actually works for you.

Scroll Safe helps us understand the impact of social media on mental health and provides us with evidence-based tips to support healthy digital habits.

Please find attached a factsheet, a digital wellbeing plan, and a resource guide for teens. This content has been created with input from young people and developed by Orygen, the guide is packed with practical tips to help you stay smart, safe and in control of your social media use.

Social Media Age Restrictions

From 10 December, certain social media platforms won’t be allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account. Delaying account access allows more time for young people to build digital literacy and greater resilience.

The eSafety social media age restrictions hub is a one-stop shop for everything you need to know.

It provides the most up-to-date information and resources for parents and carers, young people, educators, and online service providers.

Including:

• frequently asked questions

• tailored information and resources for audiences

• eSafety’s regulatory guidance and online assessment information

For more information and resources to help you prepare, visit

Social media age restrictions hub | eSafety Commissioner

Please find attached a general fact sheet, a parent-carer get ready guide, and a young person get ready guide.

Katelyn Bire - School Nurse

Gwen Ross - Youth Worker

HeadStart