A quality education for every child is essential and regular attendance at school is an important contributing factor for each child to achieve their educational best and increase their options in the long-term. Our school strives to work in partnership with parents to encourage and support regular attendance for all our students. When children attend school every day, learning becomes easier and students are better placed to build and maintain friendships with other children. Studies also indicate that students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve better results and are more likely to complete their schooling.

Parents can make it easier for their child to attend school by having a positive attitude to learning and education. Poor school attendance patterns can start very early. It is important that from the first day of school, parents set an expectation that their children will be at school every day.

Please find below information that supports regular attendance at school. 

WHY MUST I SEND MY CHILD TO SCHOOL?

Education in New South Wales is compulsory. This means all children from six years of age, and under the minimum school leaving age, are legally required to attend school every day.

DID YOU KNOW,

IF STUDENTS MISS AS LITTLE AS EIGHT DAYS IN A SCHOOL TERM, BY THE END OF PRIMARY SCHOOL THEY WILL HAVE MISSED A YEAR OF EDUCATION.

Must I send my child every day?

YES - It is a condition of enrolment that you send your child to school every day. A small number of absences may be justified if your child

• is required to attend to a serious and / or urgent family situation (e.g. a funeral); or 
• is too sick to go to school or has an infectious illness. 

Must my child attend all activities, including sport?

YES - Students are expected to attend all regular school activities, including sport. Please do not keep your child away from school for any of the following reasons: 

• birthdays; shopping; minding other children; routine check-ups or care such as haircuts; minor family events; or sleeping in. 

Medical and other health appointments for your child should be made either before or after school or during the school holidays. 

WHY IS ARRIVING AT SCHOOL ON TIME IMPORTANT?

Arriving at school and class on time:

• ensures that your child doesn’t miss out on the important learning activities scheduled early in the day when they are most alert; 
• helps your child to learn the importance of punctuality and routine; and 
• gives your child time to greet their friends before class and therefore reduces the opportunity for classroom disruption. 

Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained to the school the same way as other forms of absence. 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD HAS TO STAY AWAY FROM SCHOOL?

If your child has to be absent from school, it is important to tell the school and provide a reason for your child’s absence. To explain an absence parents and carers may send a note, send an email to the school, telephone the school or visit the school in person to explain. 

All absences must be explained to the school. Principals are legally responsible for keeping accurate records of student attendance. The Principal has the right to question parent or carer requests for their child to be absent from school. Principals are also responsible for deciding if the reason given for an absence is justified. For this reason, Principals may request medical certificates or other documentation for long or frequent absences explained by parents as being due to illness. If Principals don’t consider an explanation to be satisfactory, they will record the absence as unjustified. 

WHAT IF MY CHILD CONTINUES TO HAVE UNSATISFACTORY ATTENDANCE?

It is important to understand that the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities may take further action in cases where children of compulsory school age have recurring numbers of unjustified absences from school. This can include convening a meeting to help identify the barriers to the child’s attendance and implementing strategies with parents, the school, Catholic Education Office and other agencies that might be able to assist in maintaining regular attendance. If all attempts by schools and systems to improve attendance have been unsuccessful, fines imposed by the Local Court can reach a maximum of 100 penalty points. This is equivalent to a maximum $11,000 fine. 

Your support in ensuring your child is at school every day is very much appreciated. Classroom teachers who have concerns about attendance will raise this issue at Parent / Teacher Conferences.

Let Christ be our way and life.

Tina Murray

Principal

As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. Parents and the school have something in common: We both want your child to learn and do well. When parents and teachers talk to each other, they can share important information about your child’s talents and needs. Each partner in this great endeavour has the opportunity to learn something new in order to to help each student to continue their learning journey as we move into Semester 2.

Parent / Teacher Conferences are a great way to start or continue the conversation with your child’s teacher. Most teachers seldom hear about the positive impacts of their hard work with their students. If you have a positive message you can communicate to your child’s teacher during your Parent / Teacher Conference.  I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our very dedicated staff.

This week Mrs Melissa Karkour officially commences her maternity leave. Due to ongoing restrictions related to COVID-19 and the restrictions placed on staff considered to be vulnerable, Mrs Karkour has been unable to return to her face to face teaching position in 3 Gold. We have been fortunate to secure the services of Mrs Alison McInerney for the remainder of Term 2 while the recruitment for the class teacher of 3 Gold is finalised. I know the Mary Immaculate Community joins with me in wishing Mrs Karkour and her husband every blessing as they prepare to take on the new adventure of parenthood in the near future.

LATE ARRIVALS

Thursday - 70 Children Late

Friday - 78 Children Late

Tuesday - 51  Children Late

Wednesday - 99 Children Late

LIBRARY OVERDUES – 287 - students who have not returned their books by Week 8 will receive a printed Overdue notice.  These missing items equate to hundreds of dollars of school resources that remain unaccounted for.