Attendance Requirements

Student attendance will be marked every lesson. Students are required to attend the College for all scheduled classes. In order to be eligible to receive an “S” (Satisfactory) result:

· Unapproved Absences must not exceed more than two hundred and fifty minutes of class time for each specific subject within a semester of study. Students who exceed this limit and do not meet the attendance requirements will receive an ‘N’ (Not Satisfactory) result for the relevant unit;

· Students must be marked as “present” for a minimum of 70% of all scheduled classes. The 70% attendance requirement allows for a combined total of 30% approved and unapproved absences. Family holidays are not approved absences under any circumstances. Families should not plan a holiday during school time where students in Year 11 or 12 will miss classes. Students receive 12 weeks per year of non-tuition time where holidays can be taken. Holidays during school time in Year 11 and 12 jeopardise a students’ opportunity for success and as such the College cannot sanction such time out of class. Absences from class during a period of suspension will be classified as unapproved absence. An absence from any class is considered to be an “unapproved absence”, except for the following circumstances that will allow for an “approved absence”:

· A medical certificate that complies with the guidelines of the Australian Medical Association regarding the period of illness accompanied by a note or phone call from a parent/guardian is provided;

· A statutory declaration made by parents/guardians is provided. The statutory declaration made by the parents/guardians must be sworn on the day of the absence. This may be used only to approve an absence due to illness for a single day and only if it is provided to the College on the school day following the absence. A statutory declaration will not be accepted to approve absences for classes where a School Assessed Coursework task (SAC) is scheduled.

· The Student Wellbeing Team may also approve absences where the parent/guardian has discussed with the Cluster Coordinator/Director of Student Wellbeing the exceptional circumstances that prevent attendance (e.g. family tragedy). Details of these approved absences are then provided to the Student Pathways and Community Engagement team (SPACE) in writing. Students who do not attend class for the following reasons will be recorded as “Present - School Approved Activity”:

· Students who attend a meeting with the Principal or his/her nominee for school approved purposes (e.g. a meeting with the College Psychologist, Social Worker etc.);

· Students who attend other school related activities such as participation in College sports teams or attendance at an overnight camp for College purposes. The College reserves the right to authenticate all Medical Certificates with the issuing practitioner. Any Medical Certificates found to be fraudulent will result in the student and their parent/guardian being required to meet with the Principal to discuss their future enrolment.