With the final term of 2022 commencing this week, it is a good chance to be reminded that, when not sick, regular student attendance at school is vital to students’ learning.
I have said to our students that you will learn and gain new understandings simply by being at school. Some of the things that you hear, see and experience in your classes are opportunities that may be lost if you are not present. Of course, there are ways to catch up for the diligent student but it is far easier to ensure regular attendance and provide opportunities for your child to learn.
“... a student who misses up to fifteen days of school a year (three school weeks) will have missed as much as half a year of schooling by the time they finish Year 6.”
An alarming statistic from a Victorian Education Department programme entitled “Every Day Counts”, identified that a student who misses up to fifteen days of school a year (three school weeks) will have missed as much as half a year of schooling by the time they finish Year 6. The accumulated loss of teaching and learning time can have a significant impact on the learning outcomes for a child.
As a School, we are focussing on ensuring that we maintain high standards and expectations for our students right through to the end of the term. Ensuring that students maximise their learning potential through regular attendance when they are not sick, is one way of working in partnership with the School for the education of our students. Helping them to maintain healthy eating, sleeping and exercise habits all contribute to better health and support school attendance. This is particularly relevant to our Year 10-12 students as they face examinations in the coming weeks but it is good to remember that these years are the culmination of many years of (hopefully) consistent education.
“The accumulated loss of teaching and learning time can have a significant impact on the learning outcomes for a child.”
As we partner with you in the education of your children, we look forward to opportunities to learn, grow and celebrate in Term 4. If you have questions about our programs and how we support your child’s learning, feel free to get in touch with us or your child’s teacher. We serve a God whose presence in our lives brings meaning and purpose to all that we do, each day and each hour. We can make this a reality in our own children’s lives by supporting them to be active, thoughtful, and engaged young people, present in mind, body and spirit as they explore the wonders that God has for them each day.
Scott Ambrose - Principal