Attendance
Attendance at school is compulsory, five days a week. Apart from the legal requirements for attendance, it is important that students gain continuity in their education in order to move ahead as they should. Regular attendance at school is essential if students are to maximise their potential. Zahra Grammar School, in partnership with parents, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students. While parents are legally responsible for the regular attendance of their children, school staffs, as a part of their duty of care, monitor part or whole day absences.
Prayer and Mosque Attendance:
As Muslims we know that it’s our duty for our five daily prayers. At Zahra Grammar, Zuhr prayer constitutes a very important part of our school day. Students of Grades 3 and above pray Jummah/Zuhr in congregation and all Muslim Staff, Male and Female are required to attend Zuhr Prayer with the students at the Masjid.
Teachers are always there to encourage and help the students when it’s time to make Wudu (Ablution) and assemble for prayer.
Importance of Attendance
Attendance at school, in particular primary school, exposes children to opportunities to develop the basic building blocks for learning and educational attainment, as well as social skills such as friendship building, teamwork, communication skills and healthy self-esteem. Children who are regularly absent from school are at risk of missing out on these critical stages of educational development and may experience long-term difficulties with their learning, resulting in fewer educational and employment opportunities. Research has shown that absenteeism can also exacerbate issues of low self-esteem, social isolation and dissatisfaction.
Responsibility of School
The Principal and teaching staff are responsible for supporting the regular attendance of students by:
- providing a caring teaching and learning environment which fosters students’ sense of wellbeing and belonging to the school community
- recognising and rewarding excellent and improved student attendance
- maintaining accurate records of student attendance
- implementing programs and practices to address attendance issues when they arise
- providing clear information to students and parents regarding attendance requirements and the consequences of unsatisfactory attendance.
- any absences must be explained in writing upon students return to school
- any absences exceeding 3 days where notification has not been received, you will be contacted by phone requesting explanation
Student Extended Absence Request
If a long-term student absence is anticipated, then a ‘Student Extended Absence Request Form’ should be filled out before the absence and presented to the office admin staff, which is then passed onto the School Principal for reviewing, assessing and approval. Student extended absence forms can be obtained from school office. If a child is absent through illness or any other unforeseen reason, then a note should be produced on the first day back to school and presented to the classroom teacher. In cases when parents know that an illness or injury will prevent attendance for two or more days, it is advisable to phone the school office and inform the office admin staff. All parents must update their home and emergency details.
Students arriving late to school must:
- Report to the office immediately on arrival at school and receive a late slip.
- The late slip is to be signed by the office staff.
- The student will give the late pass to the class teacher who will record time in the attendance register.
- Parents will be contacted where a student has been late more than three days per term.
If a student needs to leave school early, the following procedure applies:
- Parents must sign out at the front office and receive an early leave pass.
- The office staff will deliver the early leave pass to the class teacher at the time of leaving.
- The class teacher will record in the attendance register.