Attendance

Visit the NSW Department of Education’s policy library for all current operational policies.

Attendance and absences

Students must attend school regularly so they can achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options.

In NSW, all children from the age of 6 are legally required to attend school or be registered for home schooling through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). All students must complete Year 10, or its equivalent.

Young people below the age of 17 who have completed Year 10 must be:

• in school, or registered for home schooling 

• in approved education or training, such as a traineeship, apprenticeship or TAFE

• in full-time paid employment (average 25 hours a week) 

• in a combination of work, education and/or training (average of 25 hours a week combined).

Students 17 years and over who are enrolled in school must attend school regularly to meet HSC course requirements. 

As a parent or carer, you are responsible for ensuring your child attends school every day when they are of compulsory school age. You must explain all absences to the school within 7 days.

For more information about compulsory school attendance, visit:

• School Attendance Policy
• Student wellbeing – compulsory school attendance.

Rules and policies are in place to make sure your child remains safe and well at school.

Attendance procedures

Roll Call

Roll call begins at 8:45am.

There is a full school assembly for roll call every day except Thursdays.

All students are expected to arrive at school prior to this time.

Late To School or Class

Students are expected to attend school and class on time, every time. 

When a student arrives at school after 8.52am, they must sign in at the Front Office to obtain a late note. Parents/carers are required to provide an acceptable reason for the late arrival.

Teachers will not accept students to class without a late pass. If students fail to report to the Front Office when directed by their teacher, they will be marked as truanting in line with the Attendance Policy.

Students who are late to arrive at class will be issued a consequence by their teacher.

Persistent lateness to school or class is a behaviour concern and conseuqences will be issued in line with the school's Behaviour Policy.

Whole Day Absence

If a student is absent from school due to illness, parents/carers are required to provide an appropriate explanation within 7 days.

If the student is going to be absent from school for more than one day, parents need to contact the school and provide a medical certificate explaining the illness.

Early Leave

Parents/carers may request in writing for their child to leave early from school, only under extenuating circumstances. Early leave requests for Thursday Sport must be submitted to the school by 3pm Wednesday. The principal (or delegate) has the discretion to not approve the early leave request.

Extended Leave

Students on extended leave for more than 5 school days must submit an extended leave application to the provide to explain the reasons for the leave, and seek approval.

Note: family holidays and travel are not considered sufficient reasons for students to be exempt from attendance. Travel is considered to be any domestic or international travel for the purpose of a family holiday, family business, bereavement or other reasons. It includes single and multiple days. 

Extended leave applications can be found on the website under Policies and Procedures: Attendance. Applications must be submitted at least seven (7) days prior to departure. Supporting documentation such as travel itinerary or e-ticket must be attached to the application.

Note: The principal has the authority to not to accept a reason for travel during school term as leave if it is not in the best interests of the student. 

If the principal approves the extended leave application, parents/carers will be provided an attendance exemption letter and the absence will be recorded as explained/justified leave.