Mossgiel Park Primary School has joined a statewide campaign in a bid to promote regular class attendance at local schools. Back from left: Fiona Smith, Lien Nguyen, Lynette Brodrick, assistant principal Joanne Fisher, teacher Maria Santavas, Kathy Lakiss and primary welfare officer Lyn Pentland. Middle from left: Lara Nguyen, Georgia Brodrick, Liam Brodrick, Hanna Lakiss and Raymond Lakiss. Front from left: Chrystal Smith and Emma Lakis.By Rebecca Fraser
IT is not OK to stay away.
That was the message at Mossgiel Park Primary School on Monday when students and teachers took part in a new statewide campaign that aims to highlight the importance of attending school regularly.
The new initiative came on the same day that Minister for Education and Training Lynne Kosky launched the two-year $1.9 million ‘It is Not OK to Stay Away’ campaign, as part of the government’s social policy action plan.
Primary welfare officer Lyn Pentland said regular school attendance was an issue at many schools and they were pleased to be taking part in the Attendance Awareness Week activities.
This week, the Endeavour Hills students brainstormed why it was not OK to be away from school and listed reasons that were acceptable or unacceptable to miss school.
Teachers also highlighted the benefits of attending school regularly and students made posters for the corridors and classrooms highlighting the issue.
There were also competitions between classes for best attendance records for the week.
Ms Pentland said student attendance was the responsibility of both the school and parents and they should work together so they could give children the best learning experience possible.
She said irregular school attendance could significantly limit a child’s learning opportunities, achievements and may lead to them falling behind in their schoolwork or having a poor attitude towards learning.
Ms Pentland said missing school could also lead to a loss of friendships and social problems, loss of self-confidence and feelings of self-worth and a reluctance to attend school later on.
“Children who are at school regularly know what is going on, keep up with their school work, develop positive friendships and feel they belong,” she said.
The statewide campaign also highlights that student attendance is the responsibility of everyone in the community.
A recent survey carried out on the Peninsula found that some reasons for students missing school were straightforward and others quite complex.
Some reasons given by students why they did not attend school were they had no lunch or because of poverty, domestic violence, their uniform had not been washed, family difficulties, bullying or parent’s work.
Ms Pentland said other common reasons that were not acceptable included the child’s birthday, going to bed late and being too tired to come to school, staying home with another brother, sister or parent who is sick, or going to the airport.
She said weather conditions (too hot), translating for parents or staying away for the whole day when an appointment was booked for the afternoon were also common reasons.
“When students miss class, their learning is disrupted, home reading routines become disjointed, homework return becomes inconsistent and students also miss out on celebrations such as class awards, excursions, school visitors, assemblies and special activities,” Ms Pentland said.
