ATTENDANCE 

St Simon Peter Catholic Primary School is required to keep accurate attendance records for all its students. This includes taking attendance. Attendance records are to ensure students maintain the 90% attendance rate legally required for education and funding purposes. Attendance must be recorded by teaching staff at least twice per day. 

LATE NOTES 

Children arriving late to school (after 8.40am) must be accompanied by an adult to Reception (through Gate 7) to sign in via SEQTA Kiosk.  The adult must then escort them to their class.  

As part of school requirements around school attendance, three late arrivals within two weeks will result in the parent receiving a letter from the Principal requesting information explaining the ongoing late arrival.   

STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS 

Children who need to leave the school early to attend appointments must be collected by a parent or guardian, after receiving a printed Student Pass from Reception.  This pass must be given to the classroom teacher.  If the student is to return to school after their appointment, they must be brought back into Reception by the nominated parent or guardian.  The student will need to be signed in via SEQTA Kiosk to receive another printed Student Pass which is to be given to their classroom teacher. 

 ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL             

In the event of illness or absence, a parent or guardian must notify the school. This is a requirement for all schools, not just St Simon Peter. There are two options to enable this to be done (These are the preferred options as no further follow up is required).  You may either: 

1. Submit an Absentee Notification via the Schoolzine App, by clicking the Absentee Notification button on the App and completing the form.  This will generate an email to admin who will process the absence on the system and forward it to the teacher.  There is no need to call the absentee line or send an email if a Schoolzine absentee notification has been submitted.  This is the preferred option for informing the school of an absence; or
2. Email the admin office at admin@ssp.wa.edu.au.Do not email or message the class teacher as these accounts are not always monitored, especially if staff are on leave or busy attending to class matters. 

 The Attendance Register will be checked by 9.00am each day.   

 If an absentee message is not received by the school, then you will receive an SMS (automated) asking you to contact the school to explain the absence.   

This SMS message is important for two reasons: 

1. To “flag” the unexplained absence with you.
2. To provide the opportunity for you to explain the absence. 

 Where no notification is provided and a follow-up SMS has been required, a note explaining the absence must be included. This is a requirement as part of attendance protocols for schools in Western Australia. 

This note must include a reason for the absence, be signed and dated by the parent or guardian and handed to the classroom teacher, as soon as possible, after the absence (an email, containing the information listed above, from a parent’s nominated email will suffice in place of a written note or from a Schoolzine absentee notification). 

EXTENDED ABSENCES (5 DAYS OR MORE) AND HOLIDAYS DURING SCHOOL TIME  

If a parent or guardian wishes to take a child out of school for an extended period, both the class teacher and Principal are to be notified in writing well beforehand.  These absences are recorded as long-term explained (unapproved) absences.  A Leave of Absence Form must be completed which is available on the school website or from the Admin Office.  

 Teachers are not expected to prepare work for students taking holidays during school time. Parent requests for this will not be accepted.  Extended absences during school time are not encouraged. The school requests parents/guardians complete a Leave of Absence form at least two weeks before your absence.  

A Leave of Absence form is required for periods of absence of five days or more:  
5 DAYS OR MORE LEAVE OF ABSENCE FORM