Attendance & absences
Attendance, Truancy and Lateness Procedures
The aim of the Welfare Team is to promote and clarify Bonnyrigg High School's expectations of attendance with the community, parents, students and staff. They have established procedures and structures to support students with attendance problems and to promote and recognise good attendance.
We believe that maximum attendance supports the achievement of our whole school goals by all students.
That is, that all students will become:
- Participating community members
- Self-sufficient individuals
- Ready for life and work
- Effective communicators and
- Lifelong learners
Bonnyrigg High Schools Welfare/Attendance team monitors student attendance. They follow up on students with problems in these areas with various support and reporting measures with the aim of improving student attendance and punctuality. Good attendance is highly valued and is promoted and rewarded in the school regularly.
Each Faculty and classroom teacher is responsible for documentation and follow-up of truancy in their subject area.
The Head Teacher of Attendance monitors all student attendance, late arrivals and truancy. He coordinates with school staff and outside agencies to work with students with attendance issues. If you have any concerns regarding the attendance of your child please contact the relevant Year Advisor or speak to Mr Morson.
Missing school means your child misses out on vital information and maintaining learning routines. This can result in a loss of confidence and missing out on forming vital friendships.
Attendance is recorded each day. As a parent or caregiver you are responsible for ensuring your child attends school every day, including sports days unless your child:
- has an unavoidable medical or dental appointment (preferably these should be made after school or during holidays)
- is required to attend a recognised religious holiday
- is required to attend an exceptional or urgent family circumstance (such as attending a funeral)
- is sick, or has an infectious illness.
Students need to attend school regularly to meet the course requirements of the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate.
If you are having difficulty getting your child to attend school regularly, you might like to talk to the school principal or the school counsellor.
If your child has to be absent from school for any reason, including arriving late or leaving early, please either tell your child's teacher or the administration assistant at our school, or explain the reason by phone, email, or written note as soon as possible, or within seven days.
