Who do I contact if my child will be away from school?

Let the school know as soon as possible and explain why your child can’t come to school. Each school will have a preferred way to do this. It may be by phone call, email or app. If you do not let the school know, they must contact you on the same day to make sure your child is safe. They may also call your emergency contacts.

The specific policies and procedures regarding student absenteeism in Australia are subject to change, and can vary between individual schools and school districts. However, the following is a general overview of how student absenteeism is typically handled in schools.

1) Notification: Parents are generally expected to notify the school as soon as possible if their child will be absent. Schools usually have a designated procedure for reporting absences.

2) Reason for absence: Parents are usually required to provide a reason for their child's absence. Common reasons include illness, medical appointments, family emergencies or planned vacations. Providing a reason helps schools keep track of student attendance and ensure the child's safety.

3) Records and documentation: Schools maintain detailed records of student attendance. Persistent or unexplained absences may trigger further inquiries by the school to ensure the student's wellbeing and compliance with attendance laws.

4) Legal requirements: In Australia, there are legal requirements regarding school attendance. Parents or guardians are generally legally obligated to ensure their child attends school regularly. Provisions may be made for circumstances where attendance is not possible due to illness or other valid reasons.

5) Support for at-risk students: Schools often have strategies in place to support students who are consistently absent or at risk of poor attendance. This may include communication with parents, meetings to address attendance issues and, if necessary, involving relevant government agencies.

It's essential to note that education policies and procedures can evolve over time, so I recommend checking with your specific school or Department of Education for your state for the most up-to-date information regarding student absenteeism policies.

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