Attendance & Absence

We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day. If students miss school regularly, they miss out on learning the fundamental skills that will set them up for success in the later years of school. There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes.

Research shows that each missed day is associated with progressively lower achievement in numeracy, writing and reading.

Parent/Carer Responsibility for Absences: 

If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify the school as soon as possible on the day of absence using one of the following methods:

1. Online: log the absence directly on Compass
2. Telephone: the school office and let the staff know your child’s name, class, date of absence/s and reason. 
3. Email: the school on aberfeldie.ps@education.vic.gov.au and provide the staff with your child’s name, class, date of absences and reason.

Notifying the school of your child’s absence either prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and will fulfil your legal responsibility.

Why do I need to notify the school if my child is absent?

Schools need to know when and why a child is absent and you need to know if your child isn’t at school. All Victorian government schools are required to contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence. If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not contacted the school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained.

What is your responsibility?

You are legally required to ensure your child attends school every day or you must provide an explanation for their absence. You should let the school know in advance of any upcoming absences or let them know in the morning if your child won’t be at school. In order for schools to implement the same day notification requirement, it’s essential that you provide the school with your most up-to-date contact details.

Generally one notification will be sent per family. Should there be circumstances that require both parents and carers to be notified, please contact the school to make the necessary arrangements. 

What is the school’s responsibility?

The school must notify you of an unexplained absence in relation to your child as soon as practicable on the same day. Schools must record when students are absent and why. 

Where can I learn more about the process for managing student absences?

See the Attendance Policy below.