Attendance

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE

Updated: 16th October 2024

Contact Persons: Karen O’Neill, Julie Kinsela

Regular attendance and punctuality are valued at Hunter School of the Performing Arts as they are in all other areas of the community. The school’s procedure aims to assist all students attend school on a regular basis and arrive on time each day and follows the DoE Attendance Policy as below.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS – PARENT/CARER RESPONSIBILITIES

1.1 Children of compulsory school-age must be enrolled at and attend school or be registered for home schooling

1.2 All students who are enrolled at school are expected to attend school whenever instruction is provided

1.4 Parents or carers must explain the absences of their children to the school within 7 days

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS – STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

1.3 Principals are required to maintain an attendance register.

1.6 Principals must ensure the school has effective measures in place to monitor and follow up student absences.

1.7 When a school becomes concerned about a student’s attendance, staff must address the student’s learning and support needs with their parents or carers.

1.8 All staff must respond to and report any matter relating to school attendance where safety, welfare or wellbeing concerns arise for a student.

2.1 Regular attendance at school is essential to assist students to maximise their potential. Schools, in partnership with parents and carers, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students.

2.2 Encouraging regular attendance is a core school responsibility.

1 General Principles

a) All students must proceed directly into the school grounds on arrival each morning. Once arrived, they cannot leave the grounds until the end of their school day.

b) All students must attend every timetabled lesson up until the end of the school day unless approved leave has been granted

c) All students are expected to maintain an attendance rate above 90%. Attendance rate checks are done throughout each term. Parents are notified in writing if the rate falls below this level.

d) Neighbouring food outlets are strictly out of bounds during the school day.

e) Attendance rolls are marked every period for Y7 to Y12 and at the start of each day for Y3 to Y6.

2 Late Arrivals and Early Leave

a) Students should only arrive late for school if there has been an unavoidable situation. Students arriving late must report to the Attendance Office. Late students should be accompanied by a parent or have written or phone permission from a parent/carer.

b) Late students will be issued with a receipt from the Attendance Office. This is shown to the class teacher on entering the class.

c) All students must attend every timetabled lesson up until the end of the school day unless early leave has been approved. Permission for early leave remains at the discretion of the Principal.

d) Students requiring early leave must have verbal or written permission from a parent/caregiver. The permission should state clearly the name of the student, the reason leave is requested, the time of leaving and be signed and dated by the parent or caregiver. The permission should be provided to the Attendance Office before school commences. A leave slip will be available for pick up by recess for students who have approved leave and must be kept by the student as proof of approved leave.

e) The school, when determining the legitimacy of such requests may request verification from parents/carers.

f) Where possible, all appointments should be made out of school hours.

g) Sport is compulsory for all students from Y3 to Y10 and must be attended each week.

3 Explanation of Absences from School

a) Parents are responsible for providing a verbal or written explanation for all absences from school. The explanation should be dated, state the student’s name, note the dates and reason for any absence and be signed by the parent or caregiver listed on the student’s records. This must be provided to the Attendance Office on the first day of return to school. For extended absence due to illness or other reasons, parents are advised to contact the school.

b) Parent/carers are sent an email requesting an explanation for unexplained absence on the day of the absence. Follow up emails are not sent.

c) Absence data on school reports will not be amended if explanations are received after the 7-day explanation period has elapsed.

d) Any absence will remain recorded as Unjustified (in accordance with DoE policy) for explanations received after seven days. An exception to this rule will be made if an absence is identified as an excursion or other school-based activity. These absences will be amended on receipt of notification by parents/students and confirmation by staff.

e) A formal application to the Principal is required for requests of extended leave or exemption from the school.

4 Requests to Leave School Because of Illness or Other Reason

a) Students must not leave the school grounds without permission. Students are required to report to the Attendance Office. If they are unwell or if they need to leave the school grounds for another reason. The Attendance Office will contact parents.

b) Students who leave the school grounds without permission will be recorded as truanting and will be followed up by the relevant Deputy Principal.

5 Attendance at Lessons or Part Time Work During School Hours

a) Involvement in private lessons, such as ballet and music classes conducted outside the school and during school hours, may not be conducive to the effective operation of the school or the education of the student concerned. For student’s requiring leave during the school day, parents or carers must request permission from the school Principal. Student’s involvement in extracurricular activities, outside of the school may be limited to outside school hours.

b) Students will not be granted leave for employment during school hours, unless the work is part of the school endorsed work experience program.

c) Permanent or regular early leave passes must be approved by the Principal to allow students to attend dance, drama or music lessons outside the school, including Wednesdays (from 1pm).

d) Permanent or regular early leave passes cannot be issued to allow students to attend part-time work (unless an approved work placement).

6 Students Absent from Class

a) Students absent from a scheduled class must take a signed note to the classroom teacher to explain their whereabouts during that period. Students not following this procedure will be recorded as truanting and the relevant Deputy Principal will be notified.

7 Students Wanting to Leave School Permanently

a) Students applying to leave school permanently must have a written request from parents or carers.

b) Students must allow 2-3 hours to sign out of all classes and complete the leaving process.

8 Senior Flexible Attendance Policy

f) Y12 students are allowed to “scan in and out” using an electronic attendance system to facilitate more flexible attendance. During Period 1 and 5 only.

9 Strategies for Monitoring Attendance

10   Monitoring, Evaluation and Review

This policy will be formally reviewed as part of the School’s Strategic Plan review cycle, and/or if HSPA circumstances change, and/or if any changes are made to relevant NSW DoE policy/procedures.

11    Supporting Information

a)      Attendance Matters – resources for schools

b)     HSPA School Bell Times