Attendance and Exits

Schooling is compulsory for children and young people aged from 6 to 17 years unless an Exemption from School Application-Ministerial Order 705 has been granted. Daily attendance is important for all children to succeed in education academically, socially and developmentally. School participation maximises life opportunities for children and young people.

Students must attend school every day and be present at the beginning of every lesson unless they have a legitimate excuse, identified by the College or their parents/caregivers.  The school day begins at 8:50 am with Teacher Advisor (TA) program for all students. 

Attendance

Parents can log in to PAM to notify College staff of their child’s absence.  They can also check their child’s attendance record in real time. Parents can also contact the College office 5851 3000 to notify the College staff of absences.

Our student attendance guidelines state the following responsibilities:

Parent

• Ensures the child attends school daily. 

• Informs the school of a child's absence and provides a reason for any absence ie an explained absence.

• Informs the school in advance of upcoming known absences.

College

• Records student attendance twice daily in primary classes and for every period in secondary classes through SIMON.

• Follows up student absences through communication with parents.

• Notes the reason for absences.

• Reports any concerns regarding absences to the Wellbeing Team.

• Reports the annual rates of attendance to the community through the annual report. 

• Ensures regular monitoring of attendance data.

• Follows up unexplained or repeated absences with families and/or external agencies.

    For long periods of absence, permission must be sought and arrangements must be made with the Principal regarding the holding of a place.

Our roll marking system notes student absences as follows:

• School Related Absences (SRA) would be entered if the student is missing a class that would still be running on that day.  For example, if there is an all day Biology excursion or a team is attending inter-school sports. 

• School Acknowledged Absence (SAA) would be entered if the student is missing a class that would not be running on that day. For example, school sports day.

• Parent Notified Absence (PNA) is used by the TA/classroom teacher or office staff when a parent has notified the College of an absence - e.g. illness, family holiday etc.

Punctuality & Attendance Procedure

Students must be punctual for all lessons.  Students who arrive after 8:50 am must:

• Report to the front office

• Be registered as a late student.

Please note - students who arrive at school late five (5) times or more over a four-week period will receive a letter from the College. Coming to school late, consistently transfers to a considerable loss of valuable preparation for learning for your child. 

Permission to leave the College during the day

Students leaving the school during the day,  are required to sign out at the front office and if returning, sign in using the SIMON kiosk

Students can leave the College providing they have parental or caregiver's permission.  This should be for essential appointments only which cannot otherwise occur outside of school hours.  

• Students must present a note from their parents or caregivers to their TA teacher stating the reason and period of time they are seeking permission to leave the school grounds. 

• TA teacher will sign the note;

•  Student takes the note to the office staff who will sight the note before permission is granted for the student to sign out.  

•  Upon returning to school, the student must sign in at the College office.  

• All F-10 students must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver when leaving the College during the day.   Years 11 and 12 students are encouraged to be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. 

Family holidays during school time

Removing children from school for an extended period of time can impact learning.  Parents who wish to take their children out of school for an extended period of time are requested to inform the Community Leaders in writing no later than three (3) weeks ahead of the intended holiday.  Depending on the student's age, they may be expected to complete some work tasks whilst away.

Exit Process

Parents/caregivers must notify the Community Leader of an intention to exit their child during the school year and an interview will be arranged with the Principal. 

Exit forms must be completed and can be requested by parents/caregivers from the Enrolment Coordinator.

The purpose of the Exit interviews is as follows:

• To determine the reason for the prospective exit

• Ensure that supports are in place should the student wish to remain at the College. 

• Ensure that all College support measures are in place for the departing student.

• To inform families of support mechanisms outside of the College.

• Consider if there is anything more the College could do to avoid future exits and maintain all enrolments.