Attendance Matters 

This term has seen a significant increase in the average absences.  This is due to a variety of factors including illness, holidays and other unexpected events.  Whilst it is important that students stay at home when sick, it is the other reasons for absences that can add unnecessary days.  These include it was my birthday, we slept in so I stayed at home, my brother was at home so I stayed home and various other reasons. 

Attendance is important for wellbeing and academic success.

There is no set point at which absence becomes a concern; however,  some students are reaching high numbers.  Below are some statistics which we use to measure the concerns around absences

• Regular attendees: miss less than 10 days a year (less than 5% absence)
• Risk of chronic absence: miss between 10 and 19 days a year (5-10% absence)
• Chronically absent: miss 20+ days (10%+ absence; average 1 day per fortnight)

You can check your child's Compass portal to see absence data.  

Where absences are of concern due to their nature or frequency, the school will involve the parents and the student as appropriate in developing strategies to improve attendance.

Parents will be informed that if a student has repeated absences without a reasonable excuse or explanation, the parent may be issued with a School Attendance Notice from a School Attendance Officer.