It is a legal requirement that children attend school (ACT Education Act 2004). Overall our data reflects a high level of school attendance. We thank parents and carers for your support, and are keen to work with you to maintain this level in 2024.

At the beginning of each school year we take the opportunity to formally remind parents and carers of attendance requirements and our processes at Sacred Heart:

1. Teachers are legally required to mark the roll every day and retain all documentation relating to attendance.
2. Teachers mark the roll within 30 minutes of the day beginning. Late arrivals are discouraged. Parents/carers must accompany any child arriving after the start of the day to the office to sign them in.
3. If a child is absent for consecutive unexplained days, we will contact parents by the third day at the latest.
4. Parents are legally required to give an explanation for absence, either before or within 5 days after. Our preferred method is via Compass. Refer to the Compass instructions on our website here or speak to the office for assistance with this.
5. Schools are required to respond to all emerging absenteeism, and work with parents/carers to support improved attendance.
6. Planned absences of more than 25 school days (including 25 part days) in a twelve-month period for reasons other than sick leave (S) require prior consideration and approval by the Principal. Please speak to our office staff for the necessary forms.
7. Parents and carers can access attendance data for their child on Compass .

If you have not recorded the absence via Compass , we are required to ask for an explanation. Last week, if your child has had an unexplained absence this year, you would have received an email from Compass asking you to log into Compass and provide an explanation. Please attend to this as soon as possible.

 If you are having issues with Compass, you may need to update the app to the latest version. For further information and support with any attendance matter, please contact the school. 

Thank you for all you do to support your child's full attendance at school. Every day at school counts towards your child’s learning.