SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

At this time of the year I get to proof read over student end of semester reports, and it’s a great way to cast an eye over student successes, achievements and challenges. One of the key indicators on our reports is the number of days each student is absent each semester of the school year.

Current research shows that high absenteeism can have a severe negative impact on a child’s academic, social and emotional development. Therefore it is important for students to establish positive attendance patterns from the start of the school year.  Regular attendance is essential to support every child’s learning, wellbeing and safety.

Daily school attendance is important for all children to succeed in education and to ensure they don't fall behind both socially and developmentally. The research shows that children and young people who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives. It is important that children develop habits of regular attendance at an early age.

School participation is important as it maximises life opportunities for children and young people by providing them with education and support networks. School helps people to develop important skills, knowledge and values which set them up for further learning and positive participation in their communities.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents are required to ensure their child attends school and to provide an explanation for their child's absence from school. The school must record in writing the reason for absence (if any) given by the parent. The principal must be able to determine from the records if the excuse given was reasonable in terms of the parent meeting their legal obligations.

Parents should promptly inform the school of the reason for their child's absence so that the school can:

• determine if the child's absence needs to be excused by the principal, in line with school policy and State government guidelines.
• determine the appropriate follow up to ensure the child's education and wellbeing is supported.
• record if the parent has a reasonable excuse for not meeting their obligation to ensure their child attends school each day.
• Where possible, parents should inform the school in advance of upcoming absences.

 HOW TO REPORT A STUDENT ABSENCE

Protecting the safety and well-being of children through the reporting and monitoring of school absenteeism is the responsibility of both parents/carers and schools.

Communicating student absences is now a legal requirement by all schools Victoria wide. Please ensure you lodge your child’s absence as early as possible if your child is going to be away or late for school, so that your child’s absence can be recorded correctly at school. Absences can be logged using PAM (Parents Access Module) or alternativley by contacting the school office on 5623 7222 or email admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au. 

To ensure a child's education and wellbeing are supported, parents are encouraged to communicate openly with the school where a child has a medical condition that may result in ongoing absences or medical appointments during school hours.

It is also really important that parents inform us if their child will be taking holidays outside of the regular school holidays.

For further information on the processes and procedures our school uses to record, monitor and follow-up student attendance and absence, please read our Attendance Policy which is located on our school website or give us a call on 5223 7222.

NEW ST ITA’S STAFF FOR 2024

We are pleased to announce that we have several new staff starting at St Ita’s in 2024.

• Miss Kristy Boettcher will be returning to St Ita’s in a full-time role
• Mr Liam Charles will be taking on a full-time class teaching role.
• Mr Duncan Ireland will be joining us in a full-time teaching role.
• Miss Lauren Misso will be joining us in a full-time teaching role.
• Mrs. Jennifer Carpenter and Mrs. Jessica Woodhouse will be taking on a shared full-time teaching role.
• Mr Jordan Wyatt will be joining us in a full-time teacher role.
• We also have two full-time ESO staff Miss Hollie Smith and Miss Morgan Harris joining us in 2024. 

 We welcome all our new staff to the St Ita’s community in 2024.

Andrew Osler