From the Leader of Wellbeing
SCHOOL REFUSAL
School refusal is very different to truancy. Truancy is when an individual does not want to attend school. School refusal occurs when a young person is experiencing emotional distress at such a significant level that they are unable to attend school, and their parents are aware that their daughter is not attending school as they have witnessed the emotional distress, usually at home.
It is getting to the why they do not want to attend school that is important.
Reasons vary from individual to individual. Some common reasons are listed below:
- experiencing social anxiety
- having been subject to bullying
- finding it difficult to concentrate
- not feeling supported by teachers and staff
- feeling excluded or ‘othered’ amongst peers
- finding it challenging to keep up with the schoolwork
- finding it challenging to build a social network and friendship circle
- finding themselves disinterested or bored with the school material and subjects
What can a parent do about School Refusal?
- Inform the College. Contact the Tutor Teacher or House Coordinator of your daughter. The Wellbeing Team at the College has a range of skills working in collaboration with parents, students and external agencies to guide students to improving their attendance. When we work together for the benefit of your daughter’s learning and wellbeing through developing a positive relationship we achieve more.
- Engage your daughter in conversations with a focus on listening to her and what she is and is not saying for the purpose of discovering the cause of the refusal to then arrange a suitable support plan that can be co-created with you, your daughter and the College as well as any external providers you have secured to help support your daughter during this time.
- If she is not seeing a therapist, seek a therapist, one who specifically works with young people – Adolescent Psychologist, Educational psychologist, This site assists individuals looking for support that is located close to home with the training and experience required to address specific areas: Find a Psychologist | APS
- Engage with your GP and keep them up to date with what is currently happening – They may discuss medication as an additional treatment pathway, however, medication alone may not be the only solution.
Once the cause has been identified – a graded exposure plan can be arranged in collaboration with us to help support your daughter in returning to school that is based on the causes leading towards the refusal. This may look like:
- returning on certain days at certain times/for certain subjects until they gradually build back up to a full-time schedule.
- the College coordinating, preparing and facilitating a restorative conversation between students to clarify understanding.
- connecting with Inclusive Learning to assist in closing any gaps that may have occurred in her learning due to school refusal.
Additional Information
School refusal and teenagers – ReachOut Parents
Understanding school refusal | headspace
School refusal – Parliament of Australia
Student Acceptable Use Agreement (SCS): SCS DOCUMENT
4.0 DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
The Students Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement addresses the particular use of mobile technologies that has come to be referred to as ‘Cyberbullying’ (see 4.3 below). The school will investigate and take action where this kind of bullying occurs in school and outside of school when it causes significant harm to the relationships between students and or teachers, is criminal in nature or has the capacity to impact on relationships across the wider school community.
4.3. When using ICT to communicate or publish digital content students will
never include:
a) Unacceptable or unlawful material or remarks, including offensive, abusive or discriminatory comments
b) Threatening, bullying or harassing material or make unreasonable demands
c) Sexually explicit or sexually suggestive material or correspondence, as per division 15A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)
d) False or defamatory information about a person or organisation
e) The school name, crest or any other identifying material without the written permission of the Principal.
STUDENT MOBILE DEVICE USE POLICY: MSCW DOCUMENT
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3.1 It is the College’s position that there will be no use of mobile devices from the time a student enters the College gates until the final bell at 3:15 pm. 3.3 Messaging or texting on a mobile device and/or laptop during the course of a school day is considered inappropriate use and will result in devices being confiscated for the day as per the Classification of Unacceptable Student Behaviours. In some circumstances, there may be a need for a parent to collect the mobile device from the College. 4.1 Mobile devices must be turned off and remain out of sight during the school day. This includes moving between classes and activities. 4.3 Mobile devices must not be used to photograph or record any person(s) or event(s) without express permission of the person(s) or event organiser. |
eSafety
Learn about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report harmful content.
App checklist This link is a useful reference for parents about safety and security settings.
Every online safety conversation matters
Conversation Cards – online safety
The hard-to-have conversations
PARENTAL CONTROLS
Learn how to use parental controls and other tools to maximise online safety in your home.
Online safety basics | eSafety Commissioner
