• All enrolled students are required to attend school unless reasonable and valid grounds exist for them to be absent - 9.00am - 3.10pm Monday - Friday.

• Parents/guardians have the responsibility to ensure that their children attend school regularly, and are only absent if ill or if absolutely necessary.  Parents/guardians have a further responsibility to provide a written note or contact the College before 9.00 am explaining why an absence has occurred.

• Independent students not living with parents or guardians are also required to provide notes or contact the College.

• If a child is absent without communication to the school, a follow-up SMS will be sent on the day of absence. Text messages are sent daily at 10.00am and 3.00pm.

• Daily SMS are sent home and an unexplained absence will initiate a Pink Slip given to the student for families to provide a valid reason for the absence.

Please contact the College by using one of the options below:

1. A written note/medical certificate/certification or seek Principal approval
2. Use Compass APP or Website - http://bit.ly/csccompass
3. Email attendance@craigieburnsc.vic.edu.au
4. Phone Absence Line on 8339 4224 prior to 9 am and follow the prompts
5. Phone 9308 1144 and follow the prompts

If you are unable to contact the College to inform on your child's absent, parents/guardians are advised that a note is required explaining all absences from school.

This is a legal requirement and we seek your assistance in this matter. If a student is to be absent from school for a prolonged period (e.g. three or more days) parents/guardians are requested to contact your child's Sub-school office to request an Extended Absence Plan; the school will then provide work for the extended absence.

Medical Certificate & Approved Absence Reasons

At Craigieburn Secondary College we acknowledge that students get the best out of their educational opportunities by being at school. Students that are in the classroom, receiving face-to-face tuition are able to gain a better understanding of the curriculum.

Therefore, students must attend 100% of school days or have a valid reason for non-attendance, such as a medical certificate, medical certification, Principal Approval, bereavement, a dentist certificate, or other valid reasons like religious/cultural observations or an Extended Absence Plan for a family holiday. The school will determine if the explanation provided is a reasonable excuse for the purposes of the parent/guardian meeting their responsibilities under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. Absences that the school does not determine to be reasonable will be known as Explained Unapproved.

Other reasons for absences such as participation in sports, camps or other school-based activities, suspensions will be counted as absences approved. Extenuating circumstances such as unforeseen circumstances; prolonged illness or family member illness; will be dealt with on an individual basis in conjunction with the relevant Year Level Coordinator and Executive Officer.

Lateness

Lateness, like any absence, should be explained in a note and/or parent/guardian contact via the absence line or email or Compass. Students arriving late should go to their relevant sub-school and Sign In with the Executive Officer. It is important that students take this step so as to be accounted for at school, otherwise, a demerit is issued for failing to sign in.

Leaving Early

If parents/guardians need their child to leave school early, the child is required to have a note or parent/guardian contact giving permission for the child to leave early. The child keeps the note to inform staff on their early departure time. At the time of departure, the child must show the note and go to their sub-school Executive Officer where the child is signed out and an “Early Leaver Pass” will be issued.

Student Extended Absence Plan

Parents/guardians will need to explain the reason for the extended absence and the relevant Sub-school Manager/Assistant Principal needs to give approval. Students are then required to complete a work plan for the absence. Applications need to be made well in advance of the planned extended absence.

Download the Extended Absence Form Here for Sub-School Approval

Supporting Students Attendance

Regardless of the type of absence (Approved or Unapproved) when a student’s attendance rate reaches less than 90% the student is considered at risk. At this point, parents/guardians will be informed by letter/Email/SMS and the College will introduce interventions that will include a Student Engagement and Attendance Profile and/or a Student Support Group meeting with parent/guardian to develop an Individual Learning Plan and support from the College Allied Health Team.