Attendance at school is compulsory under Australian Law. Every single day counts! Children do better when they are at school all day, every day. Teachers strive to ensure that every moment within the teaching day contains a learning experience. We work on the clear understanding that every minute that passes is time that cannot be recaptured. The best thing about teaching is that it matters. The most difficult thing is that every moment matters.
The roll is marked twice a day.
Please ensure:
That your child is on time for school – inside the classroom at 8.50am.
That your child stays for the full school day.
That appointments, doctor's visits, family events etc. are scheduled outside of school hours as much as possible.
That late arrivals or early pickups are avoided - lost time all adds up and interrupts your child's learning and routine and that of the other children in the class.
That should your child have a reasonable excuse to be absent (e.g. illness), that the school is notified either before the day, or on the morning of the absence. When a student is identified as absent from school without explanation, the school is required to notify the caregiver immediately (either manually or electronically). This especially holds for students in care.
Use the school landline to leave a message to notify absence and reason for absence - each day. Alternatively, notification of absence can also be done through the QParents app.
Medical certificates are needed for absences 3 days or more.
That prior to more than a week absence, the school is notified prior to leaving. Absences over a fortnight will require additional paperwork to apply for exemption from compulsory schooling. This is done through the Principal.
Attendance at school has always mattered. (See photo of 1909 attendance certificate).