Attendance Rationale
Here at St Joseph the Worker, regular attendance is essential to every child’s success and wellbeing. We believe that children learn best when they attend school consistently, arrive on time, and fully engage in daily learning experiences.
Primary school years are a critical time for developing strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, social skills, and positive learning habits. Each day of learning builds on the last, and frequent absences can disrupt progress, confidence, and connections with peers and teachers.
Regular attendance supports:
- Academic achievement – consistent attendance helps children keep up with learning and develop key skills.
- Social and emotional development – attending school every day helps children build friendships, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
- Positive routines and habits – good attendance patterns established in primary school set children up for success in later schooling and life.
Parents and carers have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school every day that school is in session, unless the absence is due to illness or another approved reason. This requirement is outlined in education legislation and applies to all compulsory school-aged children.
We recognise that occasional absences due to illness or exceptional circumstances are sometimes unavoidable. However, families are encouraged to plan appointments and holidays outside of school hours wherever possible and to notify the school promptly of any absence.
Attendance is a shared responsibility between the school, families, and students. By working together, we can ensure every child has the best opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.