School principals are required by the Victorian Education and Training Reform Act 2006 to ensure that students are at school unless good reasons exist. More recently, schools have been strongly encouraged to work for maximum school attendance by the State Government through the Every Day Counts initiative.
The legislation states that reasons for absences need to be provided to the school by parents, preferably in advance. The principal is required to record whether absences are approved. When parents inform the College that illness or other significant reasons prevent a child from attending, we obviously approve these. On the other hand, absences for shopping, hair appointments, driving lessons and other similar reasons would not be approved.
While absences due to holidays may be approved, families are encouraged to avoid this unless there are very good reasons.
Please note: Application for Absence During Term Forms must be submitted two weeks prior to the scheduled departure date.