Attendance

At Hurlstone Agricultural High School, consistent attendance is fundamental to academic excellence, personal growth, and lifelong success. Every lesson matters. Each day of learning builds knowledge, skills, and confidence. Our school sets high expectations for student engagement and responsibility, recognising that regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic achievement and wellbeing. When students are present, connected, and actively involved in their learning, they not only achieve stronger outcomes but also contribute to the vibrant, disciplined, and supportive culture that defines Hurlstone. Families, staff, and students work in partnership to uphold these standards, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive, learn, and lead at the highest level.

Attendance

The NSW Department of Education's   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 at all levels to ensure all students and their families are supported to engage fully with their learning. Where common barriers to attendance are identified, these are addressed at a whole-school, cohort and individual level. Additionally, improvements for individual student attendance is recognised, and early interventions are actioned when needed.

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 by your child.

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. 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

Extended Leave

School attendance is compulsory. To ensure students maximise their educational potential and attend school every day, the NSW Department of Education encourages parents to take family holidays with their children during school vacation periods and not during the school term.

An  Application for Extended Leave - Travel   is required when a student will be absent during the school term due to family travel plans.

The completed Application for Extended Leave - Travel form must be submitted to the school in advance of any planned travel, along with any relevant travel documentation (such as an e-ticket or, in the case of non-flight bound travel within Australia only, a travel itinerary) for consideration by the school Principal.

Schools are required to include student attendance on their published school reports each semester. Any absences not accepted by the Principal will be recorded as 'Unjustified' on the school’s attendance register and contribute to your child's total absences for the year.

While families may still wish to proceed with travel plans that involve a period of absence from school, it should be noted that unjustified absences that lead to the student missing any scheduled assessment tasks may result in the student receiving a zero mark in accordance with the  school's assessment policies.

The Principal's decision is governed by the  NSW Department of Education's   School Attendance Policy  and  Student Attendance in Government Schools Procedures. Families are strongly encouraged to review this policy and procedure before making travel arrangements.

If in doubt, please contact the relevant Deputy Principal for your child's year group.

Need help with attendance?

[Contact us  if you have questions about arrival times or absences.]