From the Deputy Head of Senior School – Pastoral

The Importance of School Attendance

Regular school attendance (including being on time) is crucial for all students to achieve success and maximises social and academic outcomes and life opportunities.

More than that, regular school attendance enhances other opportunities such as study, work and health. Developing positive school attendance habits at an early stage will help your daughter to develop important skills, knowledge and values, engage in her learning, develop support networks and access the benefits of holistic education.

Attendance at school every day is important. Non and partial attendance has a variety of effects on students, both academically and socially. Absenteeism can increase social isolation, including alienation and lack of engagement with the School community and peers, leading to emotional and behavioural difficulties (AITSL, 2020).

As a school, we are required to monitor and report on student attendance, addressing patterns of unsatisfactory or irregular attendance and patterns of absence. We proactively monitor patterns of absence such as habitual lateness, regularly leaving school early, multiple single day absences over a term, school programs/camps and unexplained absences.

We appreciate your support in ensuring your daughter arrives prior to 8.15am ready to attend a full school day, and fully able to participate and engage in her learning. Students arriving after 8.15am must sign in at the Studies Office with their parent’s explanation for late arrival.  

Students requiring early leave should inform the Studies Office, giving 24 hours notice and advising the reason. Students will not be permitted to sign out or leave school without prior parent approval.

Students in Year 7 to Year 10 must be collected by a parent or carer if leaving the School. Students with repeated lateness or patterns of failing to follow School process (such as attending all lessons on time and signing in and out of School) may be issued with Accountability points, possibly resulting in further follow up.

For further information please see the attached document by clicking here.

As always we wish to work in partnership with you, ensuring the best possible outcome for your daughter, Your support with her attendance is very much appreciated.

– Andrew Taylor
Deputy Head of Senior School – Pastoral