Parramatta High School Policies

Attendance

All children between the ages of 6 and 15 years are required to attend school on each day that instruction is provided. All schools record daily attendances.

It is a parent or caregiver’s duty to ensure regular school attendance. Parents should explain any absences within 7 days. Schools are required to inform parents promptly of any case of truancy or of any unexplained absences.

All school days must be regarded as of equal value. For instance dental appointments should not be made for sports afternoons or days of sporting carnivals. Similarly, poor attendance at the end of each term and the end of the school year is often a cause for concern. The work of the school continues, but is made more difficult if you do not attend on these days.

More information is available from the Department of Education & Training.

If your child is absent
Regular attendance and punctuality are essential for progress at school. After each absence, a note signed by your parent or guardian explaining your absence and stating the dates absent must be presented to the roll teacher at the commencement of roll marking. If you do not provide adequate reasons for absences, they will be regarded as absent without leave.

If you are going to be away for more than two days, please notify in writing or by telephone - 9635 8644. Notes are sent to parents if absences are unexplained.

If your child arrives late
Students who arrive after the 8.25am bell must report to Room 5, sign the Late Book and wait until the end of DEAR. Whenever possible, they should bring a note from a parent explaining lateness. A record of late arrival is maintained. All late arrivals are recorded as Partial Absences in the attendance roll. If students are late regularly, they will be placed on detention on the day of lateness. Parents will be notified of this happening in the event of chronic lateness becoming apparent.

If your child needs to leave early
Students are requested to make appointments for the doctor, dentist or othodontist outside of school hours, as all partial absences count towards absences for the year. Students must not assume that a request to leave early from school will be granted.

In the note from parents, you must clearly explain the reason for the absence, the name and phone number of the person with whom you have the appointment (if possible an appointment card with these details) and a parent contact number for verification of details. Where possible, these appointments are not to be made on a sport afternoon. Failure to attend sport regularly in Years 9 and 10 may deem a student ineligible for a School Certificate.

In Year 11, failure to attend sport regularly means that sport will have to be performed in Year 12 to satisfy requirements for the HSC.

Variations to the school day
Parents are always advised if students are to leave the school on an excursion for part of or a whole day.

The school has a duty of care to students during school hours. Therefore, students are not permitted to leave the school grounds without the Principal’s approval and parental permission, in writing, to the school. Students who breach this rule will be regarded as truanting.

Coming prepared for school
High school provides many opportunties for students to demonstrate their independence and organisational skills. Students need to be prepared for each day with pencil case, pens, ruler, the correct books, equipment and student diary by organising themselves the night before.

Teachers will expect this organisation as well as neat, organised work in books and class room activities.

Go back to Policies Index page.