As part of the Wellbeing initiatives at St John The Evangelist, this week, all Year 8 students participated in the highly regarded Love Bites Junior Program. The interactive and engaging sessions focus on the development of respectful relationships for young people aged 11 to 14, providing them with a safe environment to examine, discuss and explore respectful relationships.

The overall aim of the program was to equip young people with the knowledge needed to have respectful relationships, encourage and develop their skills in critical thinking and assist them in being able to problem solve and communicate effectively.

ATTENDANCE

Just a reminder to all parents of the Catholic Education Office, Dioceses of Wollongong’s (CEDoW) Attendance Policy and our role in supporting the regular attendance of your son, daughter or person in your care.

As such, SJE has identified five main areas where, by law, we will need to contact parents in regard to concerns around attendance. These include:

1. Step 1: When attendance falls below 90% (explained or unexplained)
1. Student meeting and Step 1 letter sent home outlining the concern
2. Step 2: When attendance falls below 85% (explained or unexplained)
1. Student interviewed by Year Coordinator, parents/carers contact by phone to discuss possible supports and Step 2 letter sent home.
3. Step 3: When attendance remains below 85% (explained or unexplained)
1. Student and Parents interviewed by Pastoral Care Coordinator, where needed,a learning plan is developed to assist parent/carer and student in improving attendance, CEDoW informed. Registered Step 3 letter sent home.
4. Step 4: When attendance continues to remain below 85% (explained or unexplained)
1. Student and Parent/Carer meets with Pastoral Care Coordinator, Assistant Principal and/or Principal and registered Step 4 letter sent home. CEDoW will advise on further actions. 
5. Step 5: Above 30 days (notionally)
1. By law, SJE will report the concerns to Family and Community Services (FaCS) and Parents/Carers will received a registered letter from CEDoW. If not enrolled, CEDoW will notify FaCS and NSW Department of Education.

While we do understand there may be illness or family circumstances that, at times, will impact on a student’s attendance, we are still required by law to make contact with parents/carers at each identified step. The only exception is when family’s lodge a form to the Principal asking for exemption. These steps also align with student punctuality and/or early leave

If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me on the school number.