Learning and Teaching

Daily school attendance is important for all students to succeed in education and to ensure they don't fall behind both socially and developmentally. There is a direct link between school attendance and achievement later in life and students who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives. It is important that students develop habits of regular attendance at an early age. It also makes it difficult for students to form positive relationships with their peers.

Higher levels of education are associated with increased likelihood of being employed, being in good health and reporting life satisfaction (OECD 2016a, 2018).

It is a legal expectation that students attend the school in which they are enrolled, during normal school hours every day of each term. On a daily basis, absences tend to be short (less than 1 hour) or for the whole day. It is worth noting that regularly missing out on part of the school day can add up quickly. Students at St Justin's are expected to arrive at school at 8:50am and finish school no earlier than 3:15pm each Monday and 3:30pm Tuesday-Friday. Morning and afternoon absences, including late arrivals and early dismissals, can be incredibly disruptive for students and their peers, so it is helpful when appointments are made outside these times to minimise classroom and office interruptions. 

How many mornings or afternoons/days/weeks has your child missed?

0-6 days: This is within the normal range. A child with this attendance rate is able to take full advantage of the teaching and learning opportunities available to them.

7-10 days: This attendance rate is below average. A child with this attendance rate could miss over 1 year of schooling between Prep and Year 10.

11-20 days: This is a poor attendance rate. A child with this attendance rate could miss out on up to 2 years of schooling between Prep and Year 10.

20+ days: This is a very poor attendance rate. A child with this attendance rate could miss out on up to 2.5 years of schooling between Prep and Year 10.

For more information visit https://www.vic.gov.au/attendance-and-missing-school

Laura Leung

Learning and Teaching