Rules and policies

Regular school attendance will help your child to succeed in later life. Attending school every day makes learning easier for your child and helps build and maintain friendships with other children. If your child misses learning the basic skills in the early years of school, they may develop learning problems in later years.

Families should try to arrange holidays during school vacations. If your family holiday is during school time, inform the school principal in advance and request leave and/or an exemption from school. Depending on the circumstances and duration of leave, you may be asked to ensure your child continues their learning while they are absent from school.

YES. Sport and other fun activities help the healthy physical development of children. As a normal school activity, students must attend. Do not keep your child away from school for the following:

• Birthdays
• Shopping
• Minding other children
• For routine check ups or care such as hair cuts
• Minor family events.

Medical and other health appointments for your child with specialists such as dentists or doctors should be made either before or after school or during the school holidays.

It is important to let the school know when your child will be away and the reason for your child's absence. All absences must be explained to the school at which the child is enrolled. The principal of the school has the right to question parents' or carers' requests for their child to be absent from school, or an explanation given for a child's absence from school.

You should contact the principal as soon as possible to discuss the issue and ask for help. The principal may seek support from a home school liaison officer (HSLO) or Aboriginal student liaison officer, regional officers who support school attendance initiatives. These officers can work with you and the school to discuss the issues and provide support.