Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options. Education in NSW is compulsory for all children between the ages of six years and below the minimum school leaving age. The Education Act 1990 requires that parents ensure their children of compulsory school age are enrolled at, and regularly attend school, or, are registered with NESA, Teaching and Educational Standards for home-schooling.

The NSW Government provides some helpful information to inform parents of what is expected of them. Some of the key areas are outlined below.

The importance of arriving 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
• Gives students time to greet their friends before class
• Reduces classroom disruption.

Student learning is more successful when students are present consistently for the whole school day. Students who arrive “just a few minutes late...” miss out on vital information on the day ahead.

What if my child has to be away from school?

On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:

• Being sick, or having an infectious disease
• Having an unavoidable medical appointment
• Being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
• Exceptional or urgent family circumstance (e.g. attending a funeral).

It is required under the Education and Public Instruction Act 1990 that an explanation for a child’s absence from school be supplied by the parents/guardians either on the day of the absence or on the child’s return to school. This is done via the Compass Parent Portal or written note. Please ensure notifications are entered or received promptly by the school otherwise the absence will be recorded as unexplained. Parents are also asked to ensure they sign their children in or out in the school office if they are bringing their children to school late, collecting them during school hours for an appointment or taking their sick children home. Parents are asked to try to make dental appointments, etc. outside school hours if possible.

If it is noted that a child has a pattern of absence the parents/carers will be contacted by the school.

Granting Leave

Holidays taken by students outside of school vacation periods will now be included as absences. If the principal accepts the reason for the absences, the absence will be marked as “L”. If the principal does not believe the absence is in the student’s best interests and does not accept the reason, the absence is unjustified and will be recorded as “A”.

The principal may request a medical certificate in addition to an explanation if the explanation is doubted or the student has a history of unsatisfactory attendance.

Leave of more than 10 school days will require the completion of an Application for Leave Form.

The Principal may record up to 10 days in one school year for a student for:

• Misadventure/unforeseen event
• Domestic necessity
• Participation in non-school special event
• Attendance at funeral and recognised religious festival or ceremonial occasion

Travel

Families are encouraged to travel during school holidays. If travel during school term is necessary, please discuss with the Principal first. An Application for Extended Leave will need to be completed for absences over ten days. Absences relating to travel will be marked as leave on the roll and therefore contribute to your child’s total absences for the year. In some circumstances, students may be eligible to enrol in distance education for travel periods over 50 school days.