Attendance at school
The School Attendance Policy sets out the requirements for the attendance of students in NSW government schools.
At Hurlstone Agricultural High School, student attendance is promoted and supported by all staff to ensure our students achieve their educational best, preparing them for success in and beyond school. Attendance is actively monitored; common barriers to attendance are addressed; improvements in attendance are recognised, and early interventions are actioned.
Late arrivals
Arriving at school and class on time is expected for all students in order to:
· ensure that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day
· help students learn the importance of punctuality and routine
· give students time to greet their friends before class
· reduce classroom disruption.
We understand that from time to time, disruptions to public transport can impact on student arrival times. We ask that families check the Transport NSW website for the latest updates and plan student travel accordingly.
Students who arrive late must first report to the Front Office to receive a late slip and ensure their time of arrival is recorded. Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents in the Sentral Student and Parent Portal.
Please note that late arrival due to transport is not considered a justified absence by the NSW Department of Education, and the school may contact you to discuss patterns of frequent late arrivals.
Absence from school
On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:
· being sick, having an infectious disease such as COVID-19 or having to isolate as a close/household contact (note that the isolation period is 5 days )
· having an unavoidable medical appointment (please try to schedule these outside of school hours where possible)
· being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
· exceptional or urgent family circumstance (e.g. attending a funeral).
Following an absence from school you must ensure that within 7 days you provide your child’s school with an explanation for the absence. We ask that parents provide a written explanation for any such absences via the Sentral Student and Parent Portal.
However, if the school has not received an explanation from you within 2 days, the school may contact you to discuss the absence.
Principals may decline to accept an explanation that you have provided if they do not believe the absence is in the best interest of your child. In these circumstances your child’s absence would be recorded as unjustified. When this happens the principal will discuss their decision with you and the reasons why.
Principals may request medical certificates or other documentation when frequent or long term absences are explained as being due to illness. Principals may also seek parental permission to speak with medical specialists to obtain information to collaboratively develop a health care plan to support your child. If the request is denied, the principal can record the absences as unjustified.
How attendance impacts on a student’s education
The educational impacts of lateness and repeated absence from school is shown below.
Extended Leave
Application for Extended Leave form is required when a student will be absent from school for more than five (5) days.
Families are encouraged to travel during school holidays. If travel during school term is necessary, discuss this with the school principal. An Application for Extended Leave may need to be completed. Absences relating to travel will be marked as leave on the roll and, therefore, contribute to your child's total absences for the year.
To apply for leave, you should read the School Attendance Policy and the Student Attendance in Government Schools Procedures PDF 327 KB document and then complete the Application for Extended Leave .
Return the completed forms to the school along with relevant travel documentation such as an e-ticket or itinerary (in the case of non-flight bound travel within Australia only).