Attendance & Absences
Why Attendance Matters
Under Victorian law, children and young people aged 6 to 17 must attend school unless they have an approved exemption. Attending school regularly helps students build vital skills, develop friendships, and stay on track with their learning.
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Our Commitment
We are committed to helping every student attend school every day. Our staff work closely with families to support regular attendance and identify any barriers that might affect it. If your child is struggling to attend, please reach out – we are here to help.
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Students are expected to attend school during normal hours every day of each term, unless:
- An exemption from attendance has been granted
- They are enrolled in another school part-time or through home schooling
- They are attending an approved school activity
As a parent or carer, you play a key role in your child’s attendance. We ask that you:
Ensure your child arrives at school on time every day
Communicate openly with us about any challenges
Notify the school of all absences, and
Schedule holidays and appointments outside of school hours whenever possible
If your child is away from school, please:
Use the Compass Parent App/Portal to record the absence as an Attendance Note (Compass Attendance Guide)
Call the front office (03 5385 2381) for unplanned absences
If we haven’t heard from you, you’ll receive a same-day SMS asking for a reason
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All absences need to be explained within 10 school days. If no explanation is provided, it will be recorded as ‘unexplained’.
Absences may be approved if they relate to:
Medical or dental appointments (when after-hours isn’t suitable)
Family bereavement or cultural observance
School refusal (with a support plan in place)
Pre-notified family holidays
