HPSC Newshamper

Student Attendance

Student Attendance at HPSC:

At Hampton Park Secondary College we strive for excellence, and we have high expectations to ensure our students achieve success at school and in life. 

 

In 2022 we sharpened our focus on attendance. 

 

We are very pleased and proud to say we finished 2022 with a greater number of students attending school than those in our local area and the State. 

 

Because of this, students in the Senior Years had higher completion rates and many accessed first preference pathways.

 

This Term we have seen several students return to school who did not attend all/or some of last year. We have 784 students who are currently sitting on 100% attendance for the Term. This is a great start to the year. 

 

Whilst we reached new heights in 2022 and we have begun 2023 well, 38% of our school population recorded 20+ days absence in the school year at the end of last year. 

That is why in 2023 we have raised our expectations around attendance to 95% for every student. 

 

Why? 

We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begins with students coming to school each and every day.

 

Students develop good habits by going to school every day – habits that are necessary to succeed after school, whether in the workplace or in further study.

 

Missing school can have a big impact on students academically and socially. It can affect their test results and post school pathway options, and, just as importantly, it can affect their relationships with other students, and lead to social isolation.

 

There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind and can affect their educational outcomes.

 

Getting in early

It’s never too late to improve attendance. Even in the middle years, when school can seem the most challenging for students and when attendance rates can be at their lowest going to school more often can make a big difference. Every day counts.

Our staff at Hampton Park Secondary College are here to help – if you’re having attendance issues with your child, speak to your House so we can work together. 

In Victoria, school is compulsory for children and young people 

The main reasons for absence are:

Sickness – There are always times when students need to miss school, such as when they’re ill. It’s vital that they’re only away on the days they are genuinely sick, and setting good sleep patterns, eating well and exercising regularly can make a big difference.

Family holidays - It's vital that holidays are planned during school holidays where possible, and not during the term. If you are planning to go on holiday during term time, make sure you speak with your childs House in advance, and work with us to develop an absence learning plan.

“Day off” – Think twice before having a “day off” as they could fall behind their classmates – every day counts.

While all absences can affect academic performance, DET’s statistics show that unexcused absences are a much stronger indicator of lower reading and maths achievement. 

Being away from school for 1 day a fortnight equals missing 1.5 years over 13 years of school

If for any reason your teenager must miss school, there are things you can do, together with us, to ensure they don’t fall behind:

  • Inform the school via your teen’s Form/Home Room teacher or Year Level Coordinator
  • Find out what work your teenager needs to do to keep up.
  • Develop an absence learning plan with your teenager’s teacher and ensure they complete the plan.

Top attendance tips for parents

  • We want to work in partnership with parents/carers. Please act early if you have any concerns by contacting your child’s House and asking for advice and support
  • Remember that every day counts
  • There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes and their social connectedness
  • Talk positively about school and the importance of attending every day
  • Open and prompt communication with us about all absences is a good idea 
  • Avoid making routine medical and dental appointments during the school day or planning family holidays during the term. We do have a school doctor who can support with medical appointments, at school. For appointments, please contact the general office
  • Seek help from us if you are concerned about your child’s attendance and wellbeing. We want to work in partnership with parents to support student attendance and wellbeing

 

Any student below 95% attendance in the Senior Years (Years 10-12), is required to redeem their time. Redemption can take place before and after school, including pupil free days and in school holidays. Senior Student Learning Leaders will be contact with all students who are required to redeem time. Redemption will begin in Week 4 of this Term. Medical certificates are required for any student who is absent and misses an assessment. 

 

 

Our new threshold for student attendance at Hampton Park Secondary College is 95%. This is in an effort to raise the expectations of all learners and give our students the best possible chance for success!

 

Missing just 1 day per fortnight equates to 20 days or 4 weeks per school year!

 

 

Short Term Absences:

 

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

 

Online: log the absence directly using Compass School Manager

Telephone: Call the College phone number on 03 8795 9400 and Press 1 for the Student Absence Line.

 

Only Parents and Legal Caregivers are authorised to log absences. Absences made by any other person will not be approved.

 

Long Term Absences – For absences over 1 week long

 

Holidays: Please submit a signed and dated letter to the Principal detailing the dates of absence, where the student is travelling to and why the student will be absent. This needs to be submitted to the school at least 2 weeks prior to leaving

 

Illness: If your student is absent due to extended illness, please ensure you have a medical certificate for the time of absence. Please log the absence via the options above, and contact the relevant Student Learning Leader to discuss learning support during this time.

 

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.

 

You can read the full HPSC Attendance Policy here: HPSC Attendance Policy