Regular attendance is essential for learning. Students who attend consistently are more likely to:

• Achieve stronger academic results

• Stay engaged with their learning

• Build positive relationships with teachers and peers

• Meet NESA requirements for course completion

Attendance also contributes to eligibility for the Record of School Achievement (RoSA).

Attendance is critical in the HSC because students must meet NESA course completion requirements. Missing too many lessons can mean you haven’t covered the mandatory content or participated in required learning activities. 

Regular attendance is essential for learning. Students who attend consistently are more likely to:

• Achieve stronger academic results

• Stay engaged with their learning

• Build positive relationships with teachers and peers

• Meet NESA requirements for course completion

Attendance also contributes to eligibility for the Record of School Achievement (RoSA).

Students must attend school regularly and participate in learning.

While there is no fixed percentage, patterns such as:

• Frequent absences

• Unexplained absences

• Extended periods away from school

may place a student at risk of not meeting course requirements.

If a student is unwell, parents/carers must provide:

• A written explanation

• A phone call

• A medical certificate (for extended absences)

Explained absences are recorded differently from unexplained absences.

Families must apply for approved leave through the school. 

Approval is not automatic, and extended leave may impact learning and assessment. 

The school will:

• Contact parents/carers

• Offer support to improve attendance

• Develop an attendance improvement plan if needed

Continued poor attendance may affect course completion and RoSA eligibility.

Yes. Frequent lateness disrupts learning and is recorded. Repeated lateness may contribute to attendance concerns. 

Yes. If a student does not meet course completion requirements due to poor attendance, the school may issue an N‑determination warning.

If the concerns continue, the student may receive an N‑determination, meaning:

• The course is not completed

• The student will not receive a result for that course

• The course cannot count toward the HSC or ATAR

• NESA does not set a fixed percentage (e.g., 85%).

Instead, students must:

• Attend regularly

• Participate in learning

• Complete required classwork and assessments

Patterns of frequent or unexplained absences can put a student at risk.

If you are unwell:

• Provide a medical certificate

• Notify the school as soon as possible

• Follow school procedures for missed assessments

For HSC exams, illness or misadventure applications may apply.

If you miss an assessment task in Stage 5, the most important thing is to follow the school’s procedures as soon as possible. Here’s how it works:

If you are sick or have a valid reason

• Your parent/carer must provide a written explanation

• For significant tasks, a medical certificate may be required

• The school may allow you to:

  • Complete the task at a later date

  • Complete an alternative task

  • Have the task marked based on work already completed

The key is to communicate early so the school can support you.

In Stage 6, missing an assessment without valid documentation usually results in a zero mark.

With valid documentation (e.g., medical certificate), the school may:

• Provide an alternative task

• Estimate a mark

• Approve an extension

Each school follows NESA‑aligned assessment policies.

Yes. Repeated lateness disrupts learning and may contribute to concerns about course completion

Leave is strongly discouraged in Years 11 and 12.

If unavoidable, families must apply for approved leave, but extended absences may affect:

• Course completion

• Assessment tasks

• HSC exam preparation

The school will:

• Contact parents/carers

• Issue an N‑determination warning

• Provide support to improve attendance

• Monitor progress closely

If concerns continue, the student may be deemed not to have completed the course.

The school will:

• Contact parents/carers

• Issue an N‑determination warning

• Provide support to improve attendance

• Monitor progress closely

If concerns continue, the student may be deemed not to have completed the course.

Students and families can speak with:

• The Year Adviser

• Deputy Principal

• Head Teacher Wellbeing

• Classroom teachers

The school works with families to support improved attendance.