The evidence is clear that consistent attendance is the essential first step for your child to have a positive experience at school.

Every day matters for your child’s learning. In recent years, as a system and school, we have seen too many students miss a day of school here and there. Missing school for students means missing learning activities, time with friends, an important maths lesson or getting picked for a sports team. With days missed, years are lost.

Students are required to attend school every day, whether it is the first or last day of the term, Mondays, Fridays or days dedicated to whole school events, school excursions and incursions.

Help us make sure your child is achieving their best and stays ahead in their learning with regular school attendance. The more time your child attends school, the greater their opportunity to learn, make new friends and improve their wellbeing. Together, let’s build positive attendance habits for a lifetime.

If your child is absent from school, please let us know why as soon as possible, even if it is just a few minutes at the start or end of the school day. Of course, there will be times when your child is unable to be at school (like when they are unwell). Medical appointments should take place outside school hours where possible and family holidays should be taken in term breaks.

If your child is feeling anxious about coming to school and you need support, please reach out to your child’s teacher or me directly. Our staff are here to work with you and your child to help them attend school each and every day. There are also helpful resources for parents and carers on the Every Day Matters site.

The overwhelming majority of Canterbury parents and carers make a determined effort to ensure their child is in a great bedtime and morning routine so they are ready to learn, and arrive on time, at school every day.

Thank you again for working with our teachers and support staff to make sure your child is at school on time, every day. We all want to see our students learn, grow and belong in our equitable and outstanding education system.