Students undertake the majority of their learning and assessment in class and consequently attendance is critical. The school expects that students will not make personal appointments during the normal school day. At Sunshine College students are expected to attend 100% of classes. Once attendance falls 95% students are at risk of failing to meet authentication requirements for completing work. Students who cannot attend school on a regular basis will be designated as ‘at risk’ and are in danger of receiving a VCE unit result of an ‘N’.
The responsibility rests with the parents of each individual student to account for all absences. Students are expected to provide medical certificates after they return to school. Absences with medical certificates are called approved absences. The school will maintain and retain documentation and records relating to each VCE student's attendance and to record approved and unapproved absences. Sanctioned school activities such as VET classes outside of school, compulsory subject-based excursions or sporting events do not count as absences.
The school must be notified on the morning of any other absence.
At times, some students are required to travel interstate or overseas during their VCE years. Parents and students should be aware that non-attendance will severely impact a student’s capacity to meet the work requirements and assessments of each subject. Parents are required to inform the school as soon as practical regarding extended absences so that arrangements can be made to support students to meet specific learning requirements.
Students wishing to change their course or subject must first obtain a Change of Course/Subject Form. The completed form will be reviewed by a Student Engagement Leader. Students cannot change their course or subject until the form has been completed, submitted, and formally approved.
Late applications, or requests that may impact a student's pathway, may require a meeting with the student and their parent/carer. While the school will make every reasonable effort to accommodate all course and subject change requests, approval is subject to factors such as course availability, timetabling, staffing, and the suitability of the student's pathway. As a result, not all requests can be guaranteed.