As part of our care and support for all students at SJE, we conduct regular attendance checks, make wellbeing calls home and arrange support meetings for parents/carers and students to explore relevant and effective strategies in maintaining the regular attendance for all students. While this happens regularly throughout the year, we run a whole school overview in Weeks 4 and 9 of each term.

As such, I would like to remind parents/carers and students 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. A policy that is also mandated by NSW Law.

In order to do this, CEDoW and SJE have 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 receive 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 a student’s attendance, we are still required by law to make contact with parents/carers at each identified step. These steps also align with student punctuality and/or early leave. The only exception is when family’s lodge a form to the Principal asking for exemption.

Parents and carers of senior students must also understand that attendance and/or punctuality concerns could impact on a student’s ability to successfully meet his/her course outcomes. This, in turn, may result in N-Warning(s) which may adversely affect their RoSA and/or HSC.

If you believe there are concerns surrounding the attendance of your child or the person in your care, please do not hesitate to contact their Year Coordinator as soon as possible to arrange a support meeting.

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

AEROSOL DEODORANTS

All aerosol deodorant cans are STRICTLY PROHIBITED at SJE. The use of these can trigger severe reactions from others students, especially those who suffer from asthma.

Students ARE PERMITTED to use roll on deodorants when engaging with physical activity and hot days. Any student who is found using aerosol cans at SJE are placing the safety of others at risk and will receive appropriate consequences.

Mr. James Eirth