Attendance

Attendance and Punctuality

At St Mary & St Michael Catholic Primary School we know that regular attendance is directly linked to raising achievement and develops skills for life and work.  We work closely with the States of Guernsey's School Attendance Service, who monitor and follow up lateness and absences.  We celebrate attendance each week in our school and share each class's percentage so children and parents can see this.

Each class's attendance last week was:

 Lateness and Punctuality

Arriving at school on time and ready to learn is the best start to the day for our children.  Even being 5 minutes late per day can add up to 3.4 school days missed a year.

Attendance Matters

Obviously we have been through some challenging times recently with COVID and children are advised to stay at home if they are unwell but poor attendance may be due to other reasons that we can help you with.  If you are struggling to get your child into school, or feel they are worried about something - please get in touch immediately so that we can help you.

Children with persistent lateness and low attendances are discussed with the School's Attendance Service every month and are monitored weekly in school.  Letters will be sent out if attendance or lateness is on the decline.  We will also call parents to follow up letters that have been sent out and see if support is needed or a meeting is required.

If your child is genuinely unwell and unable to attend school please telephone us on 225020.  We must have a reason every time a child is absent from school.

If we have not been able to make contact with you we may make a home visit, inform the Schools' Attendance Service or possibly inform the Police or Social Services.  Some of these measures may seem extreme but it is our duty to ensure the safeguarding of every pupil at St Mary & St Michael Catholic Primary School.

You can help prevent your child missing school by:

• making sure they understand the importance of good attendance and punctuality
• taking an interest in their education - ask about school work and encourace them to get involved in school activities
• discussing any problems they may have at school and letting their teacher or headteacher know about anything serious
• not letting them take time off school for minor ailments - particularly those which would not prevent you from going to work
• arrange appointments after school hours, at weekends or during the school holidays

You should not expect St Mary & St Michael Catholic Primary School to agree to your child going on holiday during term time - this will be marked as an unauthorised absence as per the States of Guernsey Attendance Policy.  We appreciate the challenges that some parents face when booking holidays particularly during the school holidays.  However, regular attendance at school is vital in helping children and young people to achieve their full potential and get the best possible start in life.

We are working really hard to encourage children to come to school every single day so that they can achieve their full potential.  Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any questions or worries about your child's attendance.