To ensure consistency of processes and practices across the school community, aspects of the Parent Handbook (currently under revision) will be published in each week’s newsletter.

School Attendance & Absences:

It is most important that students attend school unless there exists a genuine reason for absence. It is also most important that students attend school for the full school day. Whilst the first 10 minutes of school or the last 20 minutes of the school day may seem unimportant to parents, it is during these times that students are instructed of the essential routines and guides of the school day that help to create productive learning environments. As parents, you are urged to ensure your child/ren arrive at school on time and stay for the complete school day every day of the week.

Below is an outline of the processes Good Samaritan will use to follow up extended absences from school.

As a systemic primary school within the Wollongong Diocese, Good Samaritan adheres to the School Attendance Guidelines and Procedures of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong. As such, the following process will be used to support the regular attendance of students at school.

Step 1: 3 - 4 days absent

• Phone call to parents (if required).
• Follow up with letter to parents if absences continue - arrange meeting with parents to discuss.
• Review situation for the following week.

Step 2: 7 - 14 days absent

• Regular phone call to parents re attendance.
• Registered letter to parents re attendance.
• Referral to school counselor/Family Support.
• Meeting with school Principal.
• Head of School Services to be informed.

Step 3: 14 - 21 days absent

• Inform Head of School Services.
• Regular contact to parents.
• School informs Catholic Education Office.
• Meeting with school Principal and Head of School Service (Action Plan agreed on and review date set).
• Registered letter to parents.

Step 4: 22+ days absent

• Head of School Service with Principal to determine Action Plan.

Step 5: Above 30 days absent

• Report ‘education neglect’ (i.e., habitual absence or not enrolled) to Community Services (CS) Child Protection Helpline.
• Letter to parents from Head of School Services advising that the system has reported to Community Services (CS) or if not enrolled, also reported to Department of Education and Communities (DEC). If there are any concerns for the child’s wellbeing, normal child protection procedures apply - this can be made any time during the above procedure.

Applying for Exemption from Attendance at School:

WHY DO I HAVE TO APPLY FOR EXEMPTION FOR MY CHILD?  

The Education Act 1990 (Part 5) states the following regarding attendance of children at school:

1.1 Section 21 of the Act requires students between the ages of six and seventeen to be enrolled at a government or registered non‐government school and to attend school  whenever instruction is provided;

1.2 All students who are enrolled at school regardless of their age are expected to attend  whenever instruction is provided;

1.3 Compulsory schooling is the duty of parents;  

1.4 Section 23 of the Act states it is an offence if a parent fails to send their child to school;

1.5 Section 24 of the Act requires Principals to maintain an attendance register (roll) in an  approved form. The attendance register must be available to authorised officers at all times;

1.6 Section 25 of the Act requires Certificates of Exemption to be processed for students not  attending school for extended periods of time.

All absences must be explained to the school.  

If you know of an absence in advance then you must apply for an exemption from  attendance.  

Applications for student leave can be considered as applications for exemption from school attendance.

WHO CAN GRANT EXEMPTION FROM ATTENDANCE?  

Certificates of Exemption from the compulsory education requirements of the Act may be granted  by the Principal for less than 50 days, by the Principal with relevant Head of School Improvement  Services approval for up to 100 days in a twelve month period when it has been clearly  demonstrated by the applicant that an exemption is in the student’s best interests in the short and  long term and that alternatives to exemption have been considered. For example, in some cases, application for Distance Education may be more appropriate than seeking an exemption from  school attendance.

The power to exempt students in Catholic systemic schools for periods more than 100 days in a twelve month period currently remains with the Minister. Applications should be forwarded through the school to the CEO then to the Catholic Education Commission, NSW. Principals are legally responsible for keeping accurate records of student attendance. The Principal  of the school has the right to question parents’ or carers’ requests for their child to be absent from school. Principals are also responsible for deciding if the reason given for an absence is justified. Exemptions cannot be granted retrospectively.  

REASONS WHY EXEMPTION CAN BE GRANTED  

FULL DAY Exemptions   

Principals and the Director of Schools may grant exemptions due to:  

• exceptional domestic circumstances – this does not apply to family holidays
• other exceptional circumstances such as health of the student where sick leave or  alternative enrolment is not appropriate
• employment in the entertainment industry or participation in elite sporting events for  short periods of time i.e. for one or two days, and at short notice.  

For any other matter, the Principal must consult, prior to the exemption being granted, the Head of School Improvement Services Primary or Secondary.  

HOW DO I APPLY FOR EXEMPTION FOR MY CHILD?  

What to do – for periods of less than 50 days   

• Collect the Application for Exemption Form from the School Office.   
• Complete the form and include relevant documentation and return to the school.    
• If the application for Exemption is granted you will be issued with a Certificate of Exemption (Please keep this as it needs to be included in any later application for Exemptions from Attendance).  
• If not granted then you will receive a response in writing from the Principal.   

What to do – for periods of between 50 and 100 days  

For a period of between 50 and 100 school days then follow the directions above. Once the Principal has approved the application must then be sent to the relevant Head of School Improvement Services Primary at the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong  (CEDoW) office. You need to apply at least 4 school weeks before the period of exemption for the  paperwork to be processed and interviews to be attended.  

What to do – for periods of more than 100 days  

For a period of greater than 100 school days then the application must be sent to the Minister of Education and Communities via the relevant Head of School Improvement Services Primary or Secondary at the CEDoW Office. You need to apply at least 6 school weeks before the period of exemption for the paperwork to be processed, interviews to be attended and the application sent the Minister’s Office for approval.

***PLEASE NOTE ALL LEAVE APPLICATIONS ARE WITHIN A 12 MONTH PERIOD NOT A SCHOOL YEAR.***