Regular attendance at school is essential if students are to maximise their potential. Schools, in partnership with parents, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students. While parents are legally responsible for the regular attendance of their children, school staff, as a part of their duty of care, monitor part or whole day absences.

The Armidale Catholic Schools Office sets an aspirational goal that 90% of our students attend school 90% of the time. In order to reach this goal, 90% attendance is an average of one school day away every fortnight, or five school days per term. We know that low attendance rates negatively impact on student achievement in the classroom. However, we also know that it is a balancing act in terms of keeping your child at home if they are unwell. This makes it all the more important to encourage your child to attend school when they are well and able. Having days at home unnecessarily will have a negative impact on your child's learning.

Did you know - 1 day absent every week of the Term equals 2 full weeks per Term absent

Missing just 15 minutes every day of the week for every week of a 10 week term equals 12 hrs and 30 minutes - this is 2 full days per term or 8 full days per year!!!

The Importance of arriving at school on time!

Arriving at school and class on time:

• ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day

• helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine

• give students time to greet their friends before class

• reduces classroom disruption

• lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents.

❓❓❓❓ Did you know that late arrivals and early departures count towards the total number of absences for your child.

The Impact of Non Attendance

Below is a data representation of the impact non attendance can have over different time periods.

Roll Marking, Late Arrival, Early Departure

Class Teachers take the Class Roll promptly at the commencement of the school day. Any student not present in class at this time are marked absent (unexplained).

If an explanation for the absence IS NOT received by 10.00 am, an automated message is sent to parents advising that their child is not at school and to please provide a reason.

LATE ARRIVALS and EARLY DEPARTURES must be completed by a parent or guardian. This is done via the electronic kiosk which is located in the front office.

💥Please note that if anyone other than a parent or legal guardian is picking a student up early then either a note or a phone call from the student's parent MUST be received at the school office.

PARTIAL ABSENCES LATE ARRIVAL / EARLY DEPARTURE

Please be aware that partial absences calculate towards non-attendance at school. eg. If your child arrives late to school, leaves early or misses part of the school day.

Late arrival makes it more difficult for a child to settle in class.
Leaving the class early results in the child missing out on important information to help them prepare for the next day.
Each day missed puts your child behind and makes it harder for them to catch up on school work.
It can lead to lower achievement in reading, writing and numeracy.
It can also lead to gaps in learning and impact on social and emotional skills.

NOTIFICATION OF ABSENCES

Parents must endeavour to provide an explanation for a student's absence within seven calendar days of the absence. If this occurs in conjunction with a term break they should provide an explanation before the end of term.

This may be done by:

🔵entering an absence via the Compass Portal

🔵e-mailing the school office - naradmin@arm.catholic.edu.au

🔵telephoning the school office - 6792 1796

🔵a written note to your child's class teacher

🟩To assist with all absences being explained, every Friday the school sends an Unapproved Absence Letter via email to all families with unexplained absences. Families are to provide a reason within 7 days either by entering the absence via the Compass Portal or contacting the school office.

Below is a table with approved absence reasons with examples:

Reason for Absence	Can include	Extra Information

Medical - Illness/Injury	sickness, medical condition or injury	A brief explanation of the illness/injury is required. A Medical Certificate may be requested.

Medical Appointment	medical or paramedical appointment - includes: medical, dental, psychological	The type of appointment is to be specified. Medical Certificates may be requested.



Other Explained Absence	misadventure or unforeseen events participation in special events not related to school domestic necessity such as a serious illness of an immediate family member attendance at funerals travel in Australia and overseas (not to exceed 10 days) recognised religious festivals and ceremonial occasions *being late to school	A brief description/explanation is to be given. If late to school, then a reason is to be given eg: road works, new uniform needed

Domestic Necessity	IS NOT TO BE USED	NOT TO BE USED

Natural Disaster	IS NOT TO BE USED	Only to be used for Government DECLARED Natural Disasters

If you would like any further information on the above then please contact the school office.

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