PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Jo McAlister – Home School Liaison Officer Kindergarten Orientation Mt Warrigal PS Attendance Presentation

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Attendance Matters!

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Regular attendance makes learning easier for your child and avoids gaps Regular attendance helps your child build and maintain friendships with other children Regular school attendance will help your child succeed in later life Why is regular school attendance so important?

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Kindergarten and the early years of school is the time when we lay the foundations of our learning for the future. Why is Kindy so important?

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Schools, in partnership with parents, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students. Principals (or delegates) are legally responsible for accurate roll marking at school and contacting parents if a child’s absences remain unexplained by the parent Whose responsibility is attendance?

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Parents are legally responsible for explaining their child’s absences to the school within 7 days of the absence/s The explanation can be written, verbal to a teacher or front office staff or electronic mail to the school. A note should be dated and reason provided should be specific. Eg more than ‘sick’. Continued…

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Education in NSW is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 17 Once enrolled, a child is required by law to attend every day the school is open for instruction Why Must I send my child to school?

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Following changes to mandatory reporting, attendance is now a reportable area: Neglect Education – Not Enrolled Neglect Education – Habitual Absence Habitual Absence is defined as a minimum of 30 days absent within the past 100 school days. However, this is context/age dependent. Educational Neglect

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Justified absences: unavoidable medical or dental appointment (preferably, these should be made after school or during holidays) required to attend a recognised religious holiday required to attend an exceptional or urgent family circumstance (such as attending a funeral) sick, or has an infectious disease. Unjustified absences slept in running late haircut shopping minding younger siblings birthday working around the house Explanations for absences…..

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Learning Time Lost between Kindergarten and Year 12…

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Per termPer Year 7-10K-10 2 weeks40 days160 days 3.2 terms 440 days 2.25 years Per termPer Year 7-10K-10 1 week20 days80 days 1.6 terms 220 days 1 year 0.5 term

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU What does that look like?

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU As with whole day absences, there needs to be a reason supplied to the school for the ‘partial’ absence Please escort your child to the front office and sign them in/out. What if my child is late to school or needs to leave early?

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU BE FIRM – children must go to school BE FIRM – a birthday is not a holiday BE POSITIVE - and provide lots of encouragement COMMUNICATE immediately with the school about any concerns you have Tips For Success

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSWWWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Enjoy your child’s first years of school...they can be fun and rewarding for both you and your child! Last but not least!