Student Attendance Requirements and Reporting Absences

The importance of attendance cannot be overstated.

Bairnsdale Secondary College expects students to maintain 100% attendance.

The College is preparing students for life after secondary school, which for almost all students, will be employment, or further education and training. Access into any of these pathways is competitive and students are best helped if they are provided with a quality education with high expectations of effort and attendance.

All families are asked to support the College in this matter and ensure that students attend every day. In addition, students should arrive at school prepared for learning, having had adequate sleep, breakfast, wearing correct uniform and bringing all books, pens etc. that are needed.

Being organised and prepared for each school day is outstanding training for life and is a responsibility that belongs to students and families.

Parents are asked to please inform the College if there are difficulties that prevent attendance or preparedness for school, so that support may be arranged.

• In the event of an unavoidable absence, the College should be notified immediately by calling 51504837 or 51054813 (Junior Campus) or 51504861 (Senior Campus)
• If the school is not notified by telephone, a note written and signed by parents is required on the day a student returns to school after an absence

Other information regarding attendance:

• Some students inform parents that “nothing is done in class” during the last week or weeks of a term or semester, especially Term 4. This is not the case and the College works hard to ensure meaningful and relevant teaching and learning occurs in every single class of the school year.

• Students may not leave the school grounds during the day for any reason at all unless approval has been granted by parents and the school. If there is a legitimate reason for a student to leave the grounds during the day students are required to bring a letter from parents to a House Leader or Principal. Upon approval from the College, the student is then required to be “signed out” at the General Office. Parents are asked to minimise times students may have to leave the school by trying to keep appointment times outside school hours.

• Special College days such as the Swimming or Athletic Carnivals require student attendance. These are fun days for all, whether participating or not and are normal school days at a different venue. Over recent years much hard work has been carried out to change the perception that these days are optional and attendance levels have soared with up to 700 students in attendance. Whilst this is pleasing, there is a long way to go and parent support is required to ensure the culture of attending becomes an embedded practice.

Its Not OK to Stay Away

The College does not support "days off"