Attendance
Attendance
Good attendance and punctuality are valued here in Skerries Educate Together. We hope that this FAQ leaflet will answer some questions that you may have regarding attendance.
What are my legal responsibilities regarding my child’s attendance at school?
- As a parent/guardian it is your responsibility to ensure that your child attends school both regularly and punctually. Tusla (Child and Family Agency) has a duty to ensure that all parents/guardians fulfil this responsibility.Why is it important for my child to attend school regularly?
- Regular school attendance and punctuality means your child can make the most of their education and this will improve their choices in adult life. It will also help them when they enter the world of work.
- School helps children and young people with social skills, making and maintaining friendships, building confidence and self esteem.
- Good attendance helps children to become reliable. It helps them take responsibility for their own learning.
- Research suggests that children who attend school regularly could also be at less risk of getting involved in antisocial behaviour or crime.
- If your child does not attend school regularly it could affect their grades in exams and tests.
- You must tell the school the reason why your child is absent.
- What must I do if my child is absent from school?
- This is important information. It is entered into our database and used for our attendance returns to Tusla (Child and Family Agency). The class teacher will have to contact you if we have any unexplained absences. We thank you in advance for supporting this request.
You can tell us in a number of ways:
- Write a note in the homework journal
- Send in a note to the class teacher
- Send in an absence form (available from class teacher, webpage or office).
- How can I help my child attend school regularly
- Always talk to your child about school. Explain why good attendance and punctuality benefits them academically, socially and holistically.
- Take a positive interest in your child’s work, including homework.
- Attend parent’s evenings and other school events.
- Make sure your child is on time in the morning. Punctuality ensures that your child does not miss out on the core subjects that are often taught first thing in the morning. It also gives your child a natural time to settle in to school and to interact socially with peers and class teacher.
- Please do not engage the class teacher in conversation before school begins. The teacher has responsibilities to all children at this time. If you wish to discuss a matter with the teacher please make an appointment for a more appropriate time.
- Does the school reward good attendance
- Yes, we award certificates at End of Term assemblies.
- We also award medals and trophies at End of Year assembly.
- What will happen if my child does not attend school regularly?
- If your child misses 15 days at school we will contact you and arrange a meeting to discuss your child’s attendance.
- If your child misses 20 days we are obliged to inform the Tusla (Child and Family Agency). If there are concerns about your child’s attendance you may be visited by an Educational Welfare Officer who will work with you to ensure that your child receives his/her entitlement to an education.
- Punctuality Good time keeping is an important life skill for all of us. Our yard is supervised from 8.20 each morning. Please ensure your child is in the line by 8.30. The class teacher will bring each class into the school. Lessons begin punctually.
- If you have any questions regarding school attendance, please contact Orla Farrell, Home School Liaison Teacher (0872673416).