Last Updated: 2021-08-26
Students must come to school every day the school is open. This is known as regular attendance.
Students are more likely to want to come to school and achieve if they feel:
- included
- valued
- respected
- supported.
Students who miss school often
The attendance policy defines the following groups of students as at risk because of how often they miss school.
- Habitual non-attendance: a student misses 5 to 9 school days in a term. This is for any reason.
- Chronic non-attendance: a student misses 10 or more days in a term. This is for any reason.
For students in these groups, we assess the level of risk to their learning and wellbeing. When a student is at risk we will talk with the family about the issues.
Our school's vision
All students have a right to an education. This gives them the best opportunity to reach their full potential.We have a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where students can learn and grow. Each student is engaged in their learning. Parents and carers are important partners in this process.We keep a check on any students who might fall behind. We work with parents, carers and students to find out why someone is missing school. We provide supports that are specific to each student’s needs.
How we follow up if a student misses school
This is an overview of how we follow up student absences. We might change these steps to fit in with a family’s needs. A quick follow up helps us to manage risks early and reduce absences.
- If a student misses school, we record their absence. We also record the reason given by the parent or carer.
- If we receive no reason, we follow up with the parent or carer. This is usually by phone or text (SMS).
- If the absences continue or there are concerns raised by the absence, we keep following up. This might be by phone, email, meeting or a letter.
- We support the family to look at any issues that stop the student from going to school.
- If needed, we connect the family to other services. For example student support services.
Our data
At Allenby Gardens Primary School our student attendance records help us to plan how we improve school attendance.
We routinely analyse data. We look at patterns. For example the attendance of different year levels. We also look at individual student attendance.
Our attendance rate has remained steady, sitting around the 91 - 92% mark. This might be because we have consistently reiterated to families about why it’s important to go to school. Our attendance policy is updated, most recently in 2019 through a consultative process with the Support Services Social Worker (truancy), staff, Governing Council and the wider parent body. Our policy demonstrates clear expectations and responsibilities of families and staff. Parents are also encouraged via the SeeSaw app or front office to let us know if their child will be away, late to school or needs to leave early. Attendance data is outlined in student reports and discussed this with parents at interviews. We offer tailored support for those who have attendance barriers, such as home visits and working with parents and families to come up with individual support strategies and the importance of getting their child to school.
Our approach to improving attendance
At Allenby Gardens Primary School our attendance strategies are guided by the South Australian Department for Education's attendance policy.
We will plan, implement and review the following attendance improvement actions. We will do this with our governing council, staff, students, families and local community.
Promote
We will promote the importance of education from the earliest years of life and throughout the schooling years as a school community priority of the highest value.
Our actions
Assess
We will assess patterns of non-attendance and circumstances. We will use this to inform the development of appropriate targeted, intensive and coordinated interventions.
Our actions
Engage
We will actively engage and include all children, young people and their families in education and interventions which support attendance.
Our actions
Support
We will provide support to address the barriers to attendance, learning and wellbeing. We will make sure there is inclusive support for children and young people so they can be physically present and engaged in education.
Our actions
Monitor
We will monitor attendance to make sure that risks are identified, supports are in place, and progress is monitored.
Our actions
Evaluate
We will evaluate the need for further or ongoing interventions, referrals for external support and mandatory notifications.
