Attendance

It is a legal requirement under the Education Act that each parent of a child who is of compulsory school age must ensure that the child is enrolled and attends School on designated school days for the educational program, in which the child is enrolled, unless the parent has a reasonable excuse. If a student is going to be absent, parents are requested to notify the School. It is required that an explanation be sent to School, before or during the absence. Any unexplained absences will result in a telephone call to parents. If your child is to be absent for any length of time for any reason other than sickness, this should be discussed with the Principal prior to the absence.

There are very explicit guidelines in determining whether excuses for student absences are considered as ‘reasonable excuses’ in compliance with the Education Act.

Absentee Category Guidelines Comment
Reasonable excuse
  • Participating in one of the following activities – school activity, excursion, off campus activity, school sport.
  • Illness, infectious or contagious disease, medical or dental treatments or procedures, sport, suspension, exemption from schooling, funeral, legal, holiday with specific requirements.
 A student not physically present at the school site will not be considered absent from School.

If a student is to be absent for a period of more than ten (10) days due to illness or holiday, the Principal may grant an exemption from compliance with the requirements of compulsory schooling or compulsory participation for up to one (1) year.  This exemption must be sought prior to the absence and must be applied for in writing in consultation with the Principal.
Not a reasonable excuse
  •  Unexplained absence
  • Leisure activities: shopping, visiting friends and relatives, fishing or camping.
No explanation for absence has
been offered to the School by the
parent.