As Assistant Principal and Child Safe Advocate, I bring to your attention the importance of your child attending school every day, for the whole day.

ACT law requires students of mandatory school age to be enrolled at school and attend all days the school is open. Schools have a legal duty and a pastoral obligation to encourage attendance and respond to absenteeism. Parents are responsible for ensuring the student is enrolled and attends full-time. Sacred Heart is guided by the CECG Attendance Policy. Key points are highlighted below:

• ‘Parents/carers must ensure that enrolled students attend every day of school, and every activity or event the school requires the student to attend, during the required times. This is known as the ‘full-time participation’ requirement.’ 
• Teachers mark the roll on Compass every morning. At Sacred Heart we have a high percentage of children with 90-100% attendance. This is an amazing statistic! When we look at the rate of full day attendance (eg. arriving late or leaving early) the data is not as good.
• Our school teaching day is between 8.55am - 3.15pm
• ‘Parents/carers must provide an explanation to the school for any absence, ideally on or before the day of absence, and no more than five school days after the absence occurs. At Sacred Heart Parents/carers may be liable under the ACT or NSW Education Acts if students fail to attend school without a reasonable excuse.’ 
• To notify of an absence use the COMPASS app.
• If your child is absent for three days without explanation we have a duty of care to phone contacts until an explanation is made. 
• If no explanation is lodged for an absence, we will send out a reminder to lodge the explanation and seek further contact as necessary.
• ‘Parents/carers must notify the school of planned absences of up to 25 school days in a 12 month period (including 25 part days) in writing, including the reason for the absence’. 
• Please contact us for the form to complete to seek formal leave approval.
• ‘Planned absences of more than 25 days in a 12-month period, other than sick leave, have additional requirements and parents/carers must apply in advance for extended leave or exemption. The application and approval process complies with strict requirements of the NSW and ACT governments.’ 
• Please contact us for the form to complete to seek formal leave approval.
• Principals or delegates must respond to all emerging absenteeism (<90% attendance) with support to improve attendance.
• We are here to support you in ensuring your child attends school. Please talk to your child’s teacher, Mr Austin or myself. We have many options to make it easier for you and your child to have ‘full-time’ participation at school.

Child Safety 

A handy resource for parents has been published by the ACT government. It reminds us that small, regular conversations are important in teaching our children how to be safe in the world, socially and online. This guide is aimed at parents with tips and language to use with your child.

Please download to save the guide to read in your own time. Protecting your Kids - Personal Safety Education for Parents.

Yours in working together

Kerry Wode