Assistant Principal
Grant Rounsley
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope this message finds you and your families well. I wanted to reach out to share some important information about school attendance and punctuality, as we've noticed an increase in students arriving late or missing significant portions of their school week.
We understand that life can be unpredictable, and occasional lateness is something we all experience. However, when tardiness becomes a regular pattern, it can significantly impact your child's educational experience and wellbeing in ways that might not be immediately apparent.
How Chronic Lateness Affects Your Child
Disrupted Learning Routines School thrives on structure and predictability, which helps children focus on learning. When students arrive late regularly, these important routines are disrupted. Children who are frequently tardy often struggle to settle into their day and may find their entire morning or day thrown off course, particularly if the journey to school was stressful.
Social Impact When a child repeatedly arrives late, it draws attention away from learning and toward their entrance. Over time, this can affect how classmates view and interact with your child. During the school years, particularly in adolescence, fitting in and peer acceptance are crucial for a child's confidence and ability to focus on learning. Strong friendships at school help children enjoy their educational experience and perform better academically.
Academic Achievement Research shows that frequent tardiness is linked to lower grades, reduced performance on standardized tests, and decreased graduation rates. Morning routines in many classrooms introduce key concepts or review essential skills that support the day's learning. Missing these moments can create gaps in your child's understanding and progress.
Learning Responsibility Regular attendance teaches children to meet expectations, follow schedules, and fulfill their obligations. These are life skills that will serve them well beyond their school years and help prepare them for future success in further education and employment.
How We Can Work Together
We recognize that getting children to school on time often depends on family circumstances and routines. Here are some strategies that many families find helpful:
- Prepare the night before by packing school bags and laying out clothes
- Establish consistent morning routines that allow plenty of time
- Ensure adequate sleep so mornings are less rushed
- Address any concerns about school that might be contributing to reluctance
Our Commitment to Support
Please know that we're here to support you and your family. If there are challenges affecting your child's attendance or punctuality, we encourage you to reach out to discuss how we can work together to find solutions.
Your child's education and wellbeing are our shared priority, and regular, punctual attendance is fundamental to their success and happiness at school.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring every child has the best possible start to each school day.
Warm regards,
Grant Rounsley