Attendance
St. Mary’s strives to promote an ethos and culture which encourages good attendance and where each pupil feels valued and secure.
Teaching staff regularly monitor the attendance and punctuality of pupils by ensuring that attendance is recorded at Registration and during every lesson.
To enable our school to record and monitor attendance in a consistent way, we will adhere to the guidance provided by the Department of Education.
St. Mary’s Grammar School is committed to working with parents to encourage regular and punctual attendance.
ROLE OF PARENT/CARER
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Parents/carers have a legal duty to ensure that every child of compulsory school age receives efficient full time education suitable to age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he/she may have, either by regular school attendance or otherwise. (Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986)
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It is a parent/carer's responsibility to inform the school of the reason for a pupil’s absence on the first day of absence. A parent/carer should phone school before 10.00am giving the pupil’s name, Form Class / Tutor Group and reason for absence. This should be confirmed with a written note in the relevant section of the Student Planner when the pupil returns to school.
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If the absence is likely to be prolonged, this information should be provided to enable the school to assist with homework or any other necessary arrangements which may be required.
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Pupils are expected to be in school at 9.00am for Registration/Assembly. It is the responsibility of parents/carers to ensure that their child is punctual. Lateness is recorded at Registration and recorded on a pupil’s attendance record.
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If your son/daughter appears reluctant to attend school, please discuss the matter promptly with his/her Form Teacher/Tutor to ensure that both you and your son/daughter receive maximum support.
INFORMING SCHOOL OF A PLANNED OR UNPLANNED ABSENCE
If your child is absent from school, whether the absence is planned or unplanned, parents/carers must notify the school using the School Gateway app. Reasons for absence will be recorded on the School Information Management System (SIMS).
For unplanned absences, we ask that you submit the reason for your child’s absence via the School Gateway app as soon as possible on the morning of the absence. Where possible, please also indicate the likely duration of the absence.
If your child has not been registered in school and no reason has been provided, you will receive a text message or notification through the School Gateway app informing you that there is an unexplained absence. You can respond directly through the app to provide the reason for the absence. This will help us ensure that all pupils are accounted for promptly and safely.
For planned absences, we would appreciate notification through the School Gateway app as early as possible. Early communication allows the school to maintain accurate attendance records.
FAMILY HOLIDAYS DURING TERM TIME
Family holidays should not take place during term time due to the impact they have on pupils’ learning. In exceptional circumstances, if a family holiday is deemed necessary, permission should be sought in writing from the Principal. Family holidays taken during term time will be categorised as an unauthorised absence.
Attendance Matters - Parent Guide
