Student attendance is important because it directly impacts academic achievement, as more time spent in class leads to better performance and higher achievement rates. Regular attendance also helps students develop lifelong habits such as reliability and commitment, strengthens their social and emotional well-being and integrates them into the school community. The Gardens School expects that students will attend school unless they are sick and make no apologies for our actions with regard to this legislative requirement.
Accepted reasons for absence from school include illness, medical or dental appointments, relating to an emergency or ongoing issue, bereavement and some exceptional family circumstances. There is some discretion for cultural or sporting representation, and emergencies like vehicle breakdowns or natural disasters.
Daily absences must be reported to the school during the morning of the day of non attendance
Any ongoing or extended leave, must be applied for by contacting the Principal in advance of the absence.
Leave will not be granted for extended overseas holidays as these are not a justified absence.
Strategic Priorities
Regular attendance at school is imperative for students to achieve their educational potential. The Government target is that 80% of students will be regularly attending school by 2030. Our school currently averages 77% regular attendance and our target it to lift that to 88% by the end of 2026
To create a culture where being at school has a positive association for students where their desire to attend is greater than the wish to be absent at school for unacceptable reasons.
Board Responsibilities
Principals Responsibilities
Procedures and Supporting Documentation
Monitoring
Related Legislation
The Gardens School Attendance Management Procedures
The Gardens School recognises the importance of regular attendance to help our students achieve their educational potential.
Our attendance procedures ensure that students are accounted for during school hours. Following up on absences helps the school staff to identify and respond to student attendance concerns.
Our systems ensure we are able to identify absence patterns and offer appropriate interventions at a threshold that supports the student to return to patterns of regular attendance
Our annual target is 88% of our students at school 90% of the time. We will work with students, parents and staff at external agencies, as appropriate to improve our levels of student attendance.