Rules and policies are in place to make sure your child remains safe and well at school.
Visit the NSW Department of Education’s policy library for all current operational policies.
Our school uses the department's School Community Charter to ensure all of our communication is collaborative and respectful.
Attendance and absences
Students must attend school regularly so they can achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options.
In NSW, all children from the age of 6 are legally required to attend school or be registered for home schooling through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). All students must complete Year 10, or its equivalent.
Young people below the age of 17 who have completed Year 10 must be:
in school, or registered for home schooling
in approved education or training, such as a traineeship, apprenticeship or TAFE
in full-time paid employment (average 25 hours a week)
in a combination of work, education and/or training (average of 25 hours a week combined).
Students 17 years and over who are enrolled in school must attend school regularly to meet HSC course requirements.
As a parent or carer, you are responsible for ensuring your child attends school every day when they are of compulsory school age. You must explain all absences to the school within 7 days.
For more information about compulsory school attendance, visit:
School frameworks (school policies)
The following frameworks apply to students at our school.
At Warrawong High School we recognise the importance of and value student attendance at school in order to maximise student growth and development both academically and socially. Student attendance is overseen by the Head Teacher Administration and strongly supported by Year Advisers, School Administration Support Staff (SASS) and all teachers.
Warrawong High School implements a Phone Intervention Program where parents/carers are notified of student absences throughout the week verbally. An SMS Notification system is also used to notify parents/carers if their child is absent from school. Parents will also receive a letter outlining dates of unexplained absence to be rectified.
Student attendance is monitored daily and when a student’s attendance record becomes of particular concern the school may implement the following strategies:
- Learning Support Referral
- Counsellor Referral
- Personalised Learning and Support Plan
- Attendance Improvement Plan
- Home School Liaison Program Referral
- Child Wellbeing Unit Referral
- Family & Community Services Referral
Under the NSW Education Legislation a poor attendance record may stop a student receiving a Record of School Achievement (ROSA) and/or the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Therefore, all student absences including school sport must be explained through a note from parents. Parents are asked to organise appointments outside school hours so that students are not disadvantaged in achieving compliance with legal requirements relating to school attendance.
The school and State both understand there are times when a student must be absent eg. Through illness, and as such the principal may approve a longer term absence in exceptional circumstances.
It is therefore extremely important for parents/guardians to complete and absence form. Students are provided with this booklet on enrolment and additional booklets can be collected from the school administration office. In this booklet, parents complete the form and send it with their child if they are:
1. Late for school or need to leave early
2. Has been absent from school for one or more days. Please ensure the note is brought to school on the day the student returns to school – (hand to the school administration office).
3. Requesting extended leave e.g. family holiday during term times.
a. If this occurs it is necessary for the student to catch up on work missed. This can be eased by the student asking their Year Adviser for work to complete while they are absent on holiday leave.
b. If the student is in Years 9-12 parents must contact the principal prior to the leave being organised, as the absence may affect the issuing of a Record of School Achievement (ROSA) or Higher School Certificate (HSC).
4. Please attach a doctor’s certificate if the student is in Year 10, 11 or 12 and is absent from examinations or is unable to present for an assessment task or to hand in an assignment on the due date.
5. If the student will be absent from school for 3 or more days, please telephone the school on 4274 0707. This will be prevent a letter being sent home. Also send the signed booklet note on the day the student returns to school.