Learning success is characterised by consistent attendance and engagement with quality education opportunities. A wellbeing approach to attendance supports families to recognise the importance of education and to address barriers to active participation. Attendance matters in South Australian preschools and schools. ~ Rick Persse – Chief Executive DECD

It is no surprise that research recognises the high correlation between attendance and successful literacy and numeracy outcomes. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. Research shows that students who are absent for more than 10 days per year are disadvantaged both educationally and socially.

Children and young people who do not attend school regularly miss out on planned learning experiences, sequences of instruction and class participation. As early as preschool regular absences can predict later attendance patterns and are also a strong indicator of lower levels of achievement in learning tasks as well as the potential for poorly developed social skills and difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships.

This attendance strategy is aligned with the DECD Wellbeing Framework for Learning for Life which recognises the important inter-relationships between children and young people’s wellbeing and learning outcomes. Compulsory school age is when children must be enrolled in and attend school, from when they turn 6 until they turn 16. Compulsory education age is when students are 16 and have completed an approved learning program.

You can email your child’s absence via this link: dl.0699.absences@schools.sa.edu.au

Parent/Carer Responsibility

Informing school about your child’s absence:

  • Children must arrive at school between 8.30am and 8.50am
  • It is essential the school is notified either by phone/School Stream or email of your child’s absence and the reason for it before 9am
  • If you are unable to notify the school in advance, send an email covering the days missed when your child returns (see below)

    • For children with three or more consecutive days of absence, parents should provide the following:

  • Doctors certificate in the event of illness
  • Exemption form ie; for family travel – this must be principal approved before taking the period of leave


    • These forms are available via the school website, School Stream or front office.
    When your child is late for school (after 8.50am siren) it is a requirement that the child reports to the front office to sign the electronic late register. Younger students may require a parent to accompany themChildren who require early departure must be signed out electronically via the front office by a parent/careprovider

    School Procedures

    Schools and preschools work with parents to encourage attendance and participation:

  • Text message system to alert families of a child’s non attendance without notification
  • Contact the parent/careprovider when three consecutive days without notification are recorded
  • Data collection and report systems will be monitored to track individual student attendance. This will ensure timely identification and provision of support to children at risk of chronic non-attendance
  • Staff communicate to share information regarding absence, eg: front office staff with class teachers, specialist teachers with class teachers
    Develop strategies to resolve attendance difficulties
  • Provide a safe, success orientated and caring environment
  • Provide relevant learning programs for all students
  • Attendance data of days absent and days late is included in semester 1 and 2 reports

    • Student absences can be sent in School Stream via FORMS/ABSENTEE FORM

    Student Attendance is monitored every day through the front office

    Parents/Caregivers are requested to notify the school when your child/ren are going to be absent. We require a brief explanation, for absence eg; sickness or family reasons by calling the school on 83317512 (press 1 to leave a message) or email dl.0699.absences@schools.sa.edu.au

    This information is critical in ensuring all students are accounted for as student safety and well being is a high priority.

    Teachers mark their Roll by 9.00am online every morning and the attendance of students is monitored. A school staff member collates the information and you will receive a text phone message if your child is not at school. Please contact the school following this message to notify the school as to a reason for child’s absence.

    Students who arrive late to school (after 8.50am)

    All students will be required to record their late arrival time in the front office. Students who are late are to go to the front office area and sign in. Leadership staff will regularly check the late arrival book to monitor patterns and work with families. Punctuality is important and along with attendance is recorded in student reports.

    Collecting children from school for appointments etc during school times (8.50 – 3.00pm)

    Parents/Careproviders are requested to report to the front office, collect an ‘electronic sign out’ permission slip, take the slip to the class teacher/non contact teacher, who will allow the child to leave their class. No student will be allowed to leave the classroom without a permission slip. If a class is not in their usual room, there will be a notice on the door explaining where they can be located or see staff in the front office.

    Student Absence of 3 days or more

    If your child/ren are going to be absent for 3 days or more, an exemption form must be completed. All exemptions must be principal approved.

    2019 STANDARD ED 175 EXEMPTION FORM

    Student Absence for SAPSASA District & Knockout Sporting Programs

    Please advise the school via the above processes if your child is attending SAPSASA Knockout or SAPSASA District (Alice Lange) Sporting Programs