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ATTENDANCE POLICY AND SICK LEAVE
It is a legal requirement that ALL children attend school. Records of students who are regularly absent or late will be forwarded to the Student Attendance Counsellors for further investigation.
Absences
Students who miss days from school:
Research shows that there is a direct correlation between attendance and achievement. Missing one day a week at school per year means missing eight weeks of schooling.
Must I notify the school if my child/children have been away?
Yes. It is the parent’s responsibility to phone the school or provide a written note if a child is absent from school. If a student is continuously away and the number of consecutive days exceeds 3 a medical certificate may be required by the Principal.
If your child is away from school for any reason or they are late, please contact the school via the School Star App (preferred method)or SMS Text 0427 016 460 the school with your child’s name, their class and reason for absence/lateness.
School Star App Information Sheet (pdf, 1057KB)
Application For Exemption From School Attendance
Please contact the school office for an Application for Exemption Form.
Being Late For School
At Blackwood Primary School a siren sounds at 8.45am for students to move to their classes. Lessons commence at 8.50am.
Students who arrive late:
Children who arrive at school ten minutes late each day miss 50 minutes of instruction time a week. This equates to 1½ weeks of school a year.
What needs to happen if my child is late?
All students that arrive after 8.50 are required to sign in at the front office. In addition, a signed note detailing reason for lateness and the school’s late card must be handed to the class teacher otherwise late arrivals will be recorded as “late unexplained”.
Successful learning is strongly linked to regular attendance and appropriate participation in educational programmes. It is crucial that children develop habits of regular, punctual attendance at an early age. If attendance is an issue for your child please discuss your concerns with :
Absences
Students who miss days from school:
- are socially and academically disadvantaged.
- miss opportunities for play activities – these help social and emotional development.
- fail to develop an appreciation of important life skills such as punctuality and regular attendance.
- can become isolated, teased and bullied because of an inability to maintain friendships.
- lack self-esteem and self-confidence.
- are likely to leave school at an early age.
- suffer from a lack of continuity and familiarity.
- are unable to grasp basic concepts due to gaps in knowledge and learning.
Research shows that there is a direct correlation between attendance and achievement. Missing one day a week at school per year means missing eight weeks of schooling.
Must I notify the school if my child/children have been away?
Yes. It is the parent’s responsibility to phone the school or provide a written note if a child is absent from school. If a student is continuously away and the number of consecutive days exceeds 3 a medical certificate may be required by the Principal.
If your child is away from school for any reason or they are late, please contact the school via the School Star App (preferred method)or SMS Text 0427 016 460 the school with your child’s name, their class and reason for absence/lateness.
School Star App Information Sheet (pdf, 1057KB)
Application For Exemption From School Attendance
Please contact the school office for an Application for Exemption Form.
Being Late For School
At Blackwood Primary School a siren sounds at 8.45am for students to move to their classes. Lessons commence at 8.50am.
Students who arrive late:
- miss instructions and vital information for the day.
- miss work which will need to be caught up.
- can get off to a bad start for the day.
- can feel embarrassed, stressed, anxious, awkward and uncertain.
- disrupt teaching.
- create extra work for teaching staff.
- cause disruption to class routines.
- miss morning roll call (completed by 9am)
Children who arrive at school ten minutes late each day miss 50 minutes of instruction time a week. This equates to 1½ weeks of school a year.
What needs to happen if my child is late?
All students that arrive after 8.50 are required to sign in at the front office. In addition, a signed note detailing reason for lateness and the school’s late card must be handed to the class teacher otherwise late arrivals will be recorded as “late unexplained”.
Successful learning is strongly linked to regular attendance and appropriate participation in educational programmes. It is crucial that children develop habits of regular, punctual attendance at an early age. If attendance is an issue for your child please discuss your concerns with :
- Your child’s teacher
- The Principal
Artwork from Room 8.
This page was last updated on 21 January 2021. Content enquiries to Webmaster.
