Attendance Matters 

Attendance Matters

Every day at school counts!

Coming to school every day, and arriving on time, helps children get the most out of their learning and enjoy everything school has to offer.

In Victoria, the Department of Education encourages families to make regular school attendance a priority. When students attend school regularly, they have more opportunities to build their skills, learn new things, develop friendships and take part in classroom and school activities.

Why does attendance matter?

Even missing one day of school can mean missing important learning. When absences happen regularly, it can become harder for students to keep up with their classmates and maintain their learning routines.

Regular attendance helps children to:

• build strong reading, writing and maths skills
• develop positive relationships with teachers and classmates
• feel connected to their school community
• develop confidence and independence
• establish good habits for the future.

What can families do?

Families can support good attendance by making school attendance part of the daily routine. Preparing school bags, uniforms and lunches the night before can make mornings easier. Arriving on time also gives children a calm start to the school day.

Of course, children should stay home when they are unwell. If your child is absent, please let the school know and provide a reason for the absence as required.

If getting your child to school regularly is becoming difficult, please talk with your child’s teacher or the school. Working together, we can identify what is getting in the way and support your child to attend and learn.

Every day is a chance to learn, connect and grow. Attendance matters!

For more information, families can visit the Victorian Department of Education’s information about school attendance.

Every Minute Counts: The Importance of Arriving on Time

Starting the school day on time makes a big difference!

Arriving at school on time each day helps children begin their learning calmly, confidently and ready to participate. Even being a few minutes late each day can add up to missed learning and valuable classroom time.

Why does being on time matter?

The beginning of the school day is an important part of learning. Students may miss:

• morning instructions and important announcements
• daily routines and classroom organisation
• learning activities that set them up for the day
• opportunities to connect with friends and teachers
• important information about the day's lessons and activities.

Arriving late can also mean that children enter the classroom while learning is already underway. This can make it harder for them to settle, understand what they are doing and feel confident about getting started.

Small delays can add up

Being five minutes late might not seem like much. However, five minutes every school day adds up to 25 minutes of missed learning each week. Over a school year, those minutes can become hours of missed opportunities.

Helping your child arrive on time

A consistent morning routine can make a big difference. Families can help by:

• preparing bags, uniforms and lunches the night before
• allowing extra time for breakfast and getting ready
• setting a regular time to leave home
• planning for traffic, parking or public transport delays
• encouraging children to be ready to start the school day on time.

Most importantly, arriving at school on time helps children develop positive habits that support their learning, wellbeing and independence.

Every minute counts. Every morning is a fresh start. Let's help our children arrive on time, ready to learn and ready to make the most of their school day.