Attendance Strategy

Introduction There is a very strong tradition of good attendance in our St. Mary’s N.S. However, as stated in our code of behaviour we expect that parents/guardians be aware of the absolute necessity for regular punctual attendance at school. Quite simply, children cannot learn if they are not in school. Rationale and Attendance Record Pupil’s attendance rates for the past five years are as follows: 2018-2023 Average Attendance 94% - 95% 

Aims

  • To promote and foster positive attitudes to learning
  • To raise awareness of the importance of full attendance
  • To raise awareness of the importance of punctuality
  • To ensure compliance with the requirements of relevant legislation
  • To identify pupils at risk

Strategies

The following strategies are in place to help foster an appreciation of learning and good punctual attendance:

  • Special mention at school assemblies
  • Reward in accordance with code of behaviour
  • Presentation of certificates for full attendance by Mayor of Waterford City every October
  • As stated in Code of Behaviour, parents/guardians are expected to register the reason for their child's absence on Aladdin Connect 
  • The teacher via electronic school register/roll keeps record and notes the reason for the pupil’s absence, especially those that are at risk of developing school attendance problems

These are categorised as follows;

  • Irregular Absentee: 2/5 days absent in a 20-day period without a valid reason
  • Seriously Irregular Absentee: 6/10 days absent in a 20-day period without a valid reason
  • Chronic Absentee: 11+ days absent in a 20-day period without a valid reason

Appropriate contact will take place between the school and parents/guardians of these children:

  • For irregular absenteeism, the class teacher will inform the parents by letter of her/his concerns about their child and seek to meet the parents to discuss the matter
  • For seriously irregular absenteeism, the Principal will write to the parents inviting them to a meeting to discuss the problem
  • For chronic absenteeism the Principal will inform the Education Welfare Officer for Waterford and notify the parents of this

Communication Our school communicates effectively with parents/guardians through Aladdin Connect, school website and newsletter. NEWB Annual Returns Principal will make quarterly returns to National Education Welfare Board is accordance with their guidelines for ‘Reporting of Student Absences for a School Year’ School Transfers

  • Attendance, behaviour and academic records of children who transfer to another primary school will be forwarded to the Principal of the school by post as soon as written confirmation of this transfer is received.
  • Attendance, behaviour and academic records of children who transfer into our school will be sought directly from the previous school.
  • Attendance, behaviour and Academic records of pupils transferring to secondary school will be sent to the school once enrolment has been confirmed, as outlined in Education Passport.

Roles and Responsibility The following people have a responsibility for the successful implementation of this strategy

  • Principal
  • Class Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Parents/Guardians
  • Education Welfare Officer
  • Board of Management

Success Criteria An increase in annual pupil attendance rates

Board of Management - 2022/23