Buninyong PS Newsletter

Engagement & Wellbeing 

PRIMARY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE - EVERY DAY COUNTS & EVERY MINUTE MATTERS

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day – missing school puts them behind. In Victoria school is compulsory for children and young people aged 6 -17 years.

It is a requirement that schools must record and monitor attendance and absences.

 

Please ensure that all student absences are reported to the school. This can be done by:

  • Logging via Compass and add an attendance note (found under “approvals” on the app)
  • Calling the school on 5341 3560
  • Emailing the school - buninyong.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au 

Thank you for your assistance with this. 

 

SCHOOL IS BETTER WHEN YOUR CHILD IS THERE

Why it’s important:

  • 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.
  • Each missed day is associated with progressively lower achievement in numeracy, writing and reading.

STUDENT ABSENCES

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 also when following current COVID Safe guidelines. Developing 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 that you talk to your child’s school in advance, and work with them to develop an absence learning plan.
  • “Day off” – Think twice before letting your child have a “day off” as they could fall behind their classmates – every day counts. 
  • Truancy – This is when students choose not to go to school without their parent’s permission. There can be many reasons for truancy. The best way to address this is for schools and parents to work together.
  • School refusal - School refusing children will experience significant emotional distress not only when going to school but also at the thought of going to school; they may be absent from school for weeks or even months at a time. School refusal differs from truancy as children generally stay home with the knowledge of the parents and despite their best efforts to encourage their child to go to school. 

At Buninyong, our day of learning starts promptly at 9am each day. The first bell goes at 8.55am and by 9am, students should be settled in their classrooms, ready for learning. 

 

Arriving even a few minutes late can result in an unsettled start to the day for that student and disrupt the rest of the class. As the tables show, a few minutes each day can also add up to be quite a significant period of missed learning over a week, a term, a year and their school life!

TOP ATTENDANCE TIPS FOR PARENTS

  • Schools want to work in partnership with parents – act early if you have any concerns by contacting your child’s school 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 your child’s school 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
  • Seek help from your school if you are concerned about your child’s attendance and wellbeing. Schools want to work in partnership with parents to support student attendance and wellbeing.

We appreciate your support in ensuring that your child/ren are at school on time each day, ready to learn

Congratulations Jaxon from 5/6 CA

Throughout the year Jaxon has competed in Motocross across Victoria, and he was also a representative for Victoria in the Australian Titles in Queensland during the recent school holidays.

 

Jaxon competes on sand, mixed and hardpack tracks most weekends. Sand is his favourite track to race on.

 

Over the last two weeks Jaxon has won several awards for his accomplishments.

 

Well done Jaxon