Absence Notifications and Requirements

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day. Schools are legally required to maintain an accurate register of the attendance of every student on every day when the school is open for attendance. We acknowledge that due to illness or other circumstances, your child may be absent from school from time to time. In these instances, please always let us know so we are able to maintain accurate attendance records. An absence may be a full or part day, due to illness, appointments, family circumstances, cultural or religious observations, late arrival or early departure.

Parents and Carers Responsibilities

Parents or carers are legally required to ensure their child attends school every day or an explanation about their absence must be provided. 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 responsibilities. Please let the school know in advance of any upcoming absences or let us know as soon as possible on the morning of, if your child will not be at school.

What to do if your child is going to be absent from school

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

• a written explanation via a note, email or text message containing the student’s name, date of absence(s) and reasons for absence(s)
• a verbal explanation through either a phone call or visit to the school
• any other form of communication agreed by the principal.
• a medical certificate - principals may request medical certificates or other documentation when absences explained as being due to sickness indicate a pattern of non-attendance or are greater than 10 consecutive school days in duration.

What to do if your child is arriving late to school

Students arriving after 9.10am must enter the school through the front office to have their attendance recorded or amended. Students should always check in with their teacher when arriving late to class.

When you know your child will be late for school, please phone or email us with an approximate time of arrival and a brief explanation to allow us to record this accurately and prevent you receiving an Absent - Unexplained SMS message. Students must always check in with the front office staff and their class teacher when they arrive at school.

What to do if you need to collect your child during the school day

If there is a need to collect your child from school during the day, please contact the front office by email or phone prior to arriving at the school. Where possible we can arrange to have your child waiting for you. Please allow time for your child to be located as they may be participating in learning away from the classroom and keep in mind our break times (11.10am to 11:45am and 1.25pm to 1.55pm) as children can be difficult to find when out on the playground.

School's responsibilities

The school must notify you of an unexplained absence in relation to your child as soon as practicable on the same day. The school will notify you by SMS of an unexplained absence in relation to your child.  In order for schools to implement the same day notification requirement, it is essential that you provide the school with your most up-to-date contact details.

What should you do if you receive an SMS message advising your child has been marked with an unexplained absence?

If you receive an absence message, please contact the school as soon as possible so we can amend the attendance register and maintain accurate records of your child's attendance at school.

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