Principal's Message to the School Community

eDear Parents and Guardians,

Every Day Counts

The importance of regular school attendance.

At Kyneton Primary School, we prioritise regular school attendance. We 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 on time means experiencing what counts – the learning, friendship, fun and opportunities that can shape your child’s future.

Last year, students at our school missed on average 22 days of school which was slightly higher than the state average. This equates to nearly 31 weeks or 3 terms over the 7years of primary schooling.

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 or schoolwork, 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 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 a phone call to the school or an attendance note on Compass so we can work together to support them.

For more information about the importance of everyday attendance, see Attendance and Missing School.

Remember, Everyday Counts.

Alistair Rayner

Principal

Student Referrals Procedure (Via Specialists and Medical Practitioners)

In recent months there has been a steady increase in the number of requests for teachers to complete paperwork to support families who are undertaking private investigations via medical practitioners or specialists into their child’s mental health and wellbeing or seeking a diagnosis for a medical condition or disability. 

We understand that this process can be stressful, costly and time consuming for families and acknowledge that most of these investigations require and benefit from the professional input of the child’s classroom teacher who is best placed to describe the child in the learning and playground environment. 

Teachers at KPS are more than willing and prepared to provide information (with your consent) at the request of specialists/practitioners, however given the increase in the number of requests and the volume of evidence that is being requested we ask that you follow the process below. 

If your child’s health practitioner would like to request that your child’s teacher complete referral paperwork (e.g. questionnaire/observation/checklist etc), or meet with them to discuss your child, please email the written request and any relevant paperwork/forms directly to julie.arnephy@education.vic.gov.au together with the name of the referring practitioner and the requested date for completion. 

This process will ensure that teachers can be allocated additional time and are supported to complete the paperwork/task that is being requested of them.

Please understand that the paperwork, when completed, will be returned directly to the issuing practitioner and that some notice (usually around two weeks) is usually required.

The school appreciates copies of any referrals or assessments that are completed as they often contain recommendations and strategies that can be utilised by teachers to support your child whilst at school.

If you have any questions about this process or  would like to discuss a referral that you have initiated for your child, please make contact with Julie Arnephy (Assistant Principal) julie.arnephy@education.vic.gov.au or Jacqueline Dickie (Disability Inclusion Leader) Jacqueline.Dickie@education.vic.gov.au.

Kind regards

Julie Arnephy

Assistant Principal