New School Absence Rules

State regulations regarding attendance at school have changed.

Acceptable excuses for absences are much stricter.

Must I send my child every day? YES

New guidelines for record keeping have been legislated.

• Parents/Carers must provide written explanation for absences, Dated, signed and including the reason for the absence.
• This must be on a separate piece of paper and kept for seven years by the school. Very few reasons are acceptable (see below).
• Family holidays are NOT among them.

WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS TO STAY AWAY FROM SCHOOL?

• Send a note, fax or email to the school, or
• telephone the school, this is to be followed by a written explanation; or
• visit the school.

WHAT ARE THE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS RESPONSIBLE FOR?

• Principals have to keep accurate records of student attendance and the reason for any absences
• Principals are now responsible for accepting or not accepting a parent's explanation for their child's absences.

A SMALL NUMBER OF ABSENCES MAY BE ACCEPTED BY THE PRINCIPAL. FOR EXAMPLE,

• go to a religious ceremony
• is required to attend a serious and/or urgent family situation (eg. funeral)
• is too sick to go to school or has infectious illness.

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF MY CHILD CONTINUES TO HAVE UNACCEPTABLE ABSENCES?

• Attendance meetings and compulsory attendance conferences
• Applications to the childrens court - A Compulsory Schooling Order
• Prosecution in the local court