Attendance
Why Attendance is Important
Going to school every day is an important part of your child’s education. Children and young people learn new things at school every day, connect with friends, have fun and develop good habits that help them to succeed. Attending and participating in school will help your child:
- develop important skills and knowledge to help them learn
- develop social and emotional skills such as good communication, resilience and team-work
- establish friendships with peers which help develop self-esteem and a sense of belonging.
Attendance Process at Box Hill High School
As a parent/carer, you are legally required to ensure your child attends school every day, and if your child is absent, you must provide an explanation. Schools need to know when and why a student is absent, so you must let us know on the day of the absence and explain why your child can’t come to school. This can be done by computer, mobile app or by telephone.
Please see further information below:
Leaving Early
Permission to leave early will usually only be granted if a Compass absence is authorised or a signed note provided from parent/guardian. Students who do not have authorisation from their parent/guardian will not be permitted to leave the school grounds. We impose this restriction in the interests of safety of students and having regard to our responsibilities to parents/guardians.
In this regard, we request parents/guardians ask for permission for students to leave school during the day only if absolutely necessary. Again we stress the importance of unbroken attendance at all classes unless ABSOLUTELY unavoidable.
If a student is unwell during school hours and needs to go home, they must report to the First Aid Officer in Reception. Once the parents/guardians have been notified, the student will sign out via the Compass kiosk or with a member of staff at Reception. Students must not ring directly home for parents to come and get them.
Homework
Homework is a teacher-assigned and teacher-monitored learning experience that takes place outside the classroom.
Students may be expected to complete unfinished class work at home, but they may also be expected to complete research tasks, assignments and revision for tests and exams that consolidate their learning, organisational and study skills.
Health and Safety
Students are not permitted to possess or smoke cigarettes or vaping materials, possess or use or be under the influence of alcohol or unprescribed drugs or other substances harmful to health, at school, on school excursions, or in transit between school and home. Cigarette lighters are also forbidden at school.
If students are taking prescribed medication, it is essential that the medicine involved be left with the school nurse at Reception.
Students should be aware at all times of the need for safety and care at school, and to and from school. If a student becomes aware of a possible health and safety risk, this should be entered in the appropriate book at Reception.
Students who become ill at school must report to the First Aid Officer in Reception. First Aid assistance will be given, but if necessary, parents will be called to collect unwell students.
We ask most strongly that a student NOT be sent to school if they show signs of being unwell.
It is essential that a current emergency phone number is listed on each student’s record on our computer system.
Any change to the home address or telephone number, or to the emergency contact person, should be notified in writing to the office immediately.
Lockers
Students are allocated a locker at the beginning of every year.
Students are required to purchase a combination lock from Reception. In some cases, where approved, a student may provide their own good quality lock. In this instance, a spare key, appropriately labelled with the students name, must be left with their relevant Sub School Administration Officer.
Lost Property
Any articles found at school should be handed in to the Library. Lost keys are kept at Reception. It is recommended that valuables NOT be brought to school.
Sport Days
The two inter-house sports days, Swimming and Athletics, are highlights of the school year and VCE students have the opportunity to provide direction and leadership at these events. Attendance is compulsory at these events and students are also encouraged to participate in Round Robin tournaments throughout the year, along with our House Athletics Day.