One of my daily reception jobs is to record all student absences. When a parent calls, texts or emails the office if their child is absent, it makes my job a lot easier! Sometimes however, the office does not receive notification of a student’s absence. In that case, a generated message is sent to parents. In most cases, parents then respond as to whether their child is sick, taking a leave day or attending a sporting event.
Unfortunately there are still parents who do not respond and their child’s absence is listed as ‘unexplained’. The next step is to send parents an Unexplained School Non-Attendance letter in the hope we receive an explanation. When I still do not hear from parents, a final Compulsory School Attendance letter is sent. Sometimes, after all the above communication, we still are not afforded an explanation as to why a child was absent. That absence will then be listed as ‘unexplained’ on their college report.
Can I please ask all parents to advise the college as soon as possible when their child is sick or away. Often parents email their child’s teacher which is great, but please also remember to copy IFS Info (info@ccsc.nsw.edu.au) on that email, just in case teachers who are busy in class, forget to forward the office the absence explanation.
Thank you!
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