Absences

​​Attendance – Parent/Carer Guide

Daily attendance and active participation in each class and subject are critical parts of the learning process. 

Everyday counts: school absenteeism can impact significantly on students' learning and wellbeing. Regular attendance and punctuality are necessary for students to achieve the best results possible.

All absences must be explained.​

Full Day Absence

Parents/Carer's must notify the school and provide an explanation of a student/s absence by 9.00am on the day of the absence. Please include:

• Students name, year level, date and reason for absence

Preferred notification is:

• SMS for each individual student: 0429 396 836
• ​​Example SMS: “Harry Jones in Yr 8 Sick 03/05/25" – Please ensure to include a reason and date/s of absence
• Please DO NOT text any attachments – our system does not accept photos or certificates' and the text will be rejected

If texting is not possible you can notify by email: absence@strettonsc.eq.edu.au

If no notification of the students' absence is received by 9.30am, an SMS will be sent by 10.00am on the day of the absence. Please respond to the SMS sent, providing your students' name, year level and reason for absence.

As per Education Queensland Policy schools are required to notify parents on the same day that the student is absent from school when no notification has been received.

Absent for Three or More Days

When a student is absent for more than three days, parents/carers are to notify Stretton State College in writing by sending a SMS to 0429 396 836 or email to absence@strettonsc.eq.edu.au including the students name, year level, all dates of absence and the reason for the absence.  If the absence is due to medical reasons, a medical certificate will be required for all absences for three or more days.  

Certificates can be emailed to the absence email, absence@strettonsc.eq.edu.au or a hard copy can be handed in at Gowan Campus or Illaweena Campus.  Please do not text any attachments as these will be rejected.

Please note teaching staff are not required to supply schoolwork to students taking leave during the school term.

Senior Students: Please refer to the College Assessment Policy on our website to check the applicable requirements when a Senior Student is absent.

Exemptions from Compulsory Schooling Form

There are some circumstances where an exemption from schooling may be required.  Where an exemption is approved, a student maintains their enrolment despite extended non-attendance.  The circumstances for a student to be eligible for an exemption are listed below and are only for absences of 11+ consecutive school days:

• Illness or hospitalisation (including recovery period at home)
  
• Carer responsibilities
• Diagnosed mental health condition
• Diagnosis of terminal medical condition
• ​Temporary interstate or overseas relocation where the family intends to return to Queensland (excluding holidays)​

Late Arrivals

• Gowan: Students are to sign in at the Office if they arrive after 9.00am
• Illaweena: Before 9.00am students are to sign in with Dean of Students/Deputy at the front of the school
• Illaweena: After 9.00am students must go to the Student Services window to sign in
• A Late Pass will be provided to hand to their teacher to confirm that they have been signed in at school
• If no notification is received from Parent/Carer a SMS will be sent regarding the Students Late Arrival

Note: Consistent late arrivals will be monitored and may result in disciplinary action.

Early Departures

Parents/Carers must notify the school in advance whenever possible if a student needs to leave early, preferably by 9.00am on the day. Acceptable notification methods include:

• SMS (0429 396 836) or Email (absence@strettonsc.eq.edu.au) * Notes will not be accepted for Early leave
• Request should include:
• Students full name and class
• Date and time of Early departure
• Reason for Early departure
• Name and relationship of the person collecting the student

Note: The person collecting the student MUST be listed as an authorised contact with the following conditions:

• ​Photo identification may be requested
• Students will not be released to anyone not authorised by parent/carer

Gowan Campus: Specific conditions apply as follows:

• ​Parents/Carers must report to the school office to collect the student
• Students are not permitted to leave classrooms or the school grounds independently
• Office staff will arrange for the student to be brought to the office
• Photo identification will be required for an authorised person to collect the student
• All students must be signed out before leaving the Campus

Breaktimes - both Illaweena and Gowan Campus: Please understand that at breaktimes it is difficult to locate your child in breaktimes, and we ask parents to please be patient with staff.

Student safety and supervision are the school's highest priority. Early leave procedures are designed to ensure students are accounted for and released only to authorised adults.

Excessive or frequent early leave is monitored by Deans of Students and Deputy Principals.

Sickbay

Students who become ill through the school day:

• ​Student informs the classroom teacher or presents to Student Services if it is in breaktimes
• Student will be signed into Sickbay and assessed
• Office staff will contact Parent/Carer if needed
• Emergency contacts will only be contacted in the case of an Emergency or if permission is given by Parent/Carer
• If College is unable to contact Parent/Carer within 1-2 hours depending on the illness, Office staff will contact Deputy/Principal to seek approval to contact Emergency contact
• ID will be required for collected
• ​Parents/Carers must report to the school office
• Students will remain supervised in Sickbay
• Students must be signed out before leaving school grounds

Senior Students: If your child contacts you directly to inform you of their illness, please direct them to go to Student Services to be signed into Sickbay and for the Office staff to contact home.

Stretton State College appreciates your cooperation and support with the above processors, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students within our care.

Infection Illness

Where contagious illnesses are present (eg: vomiting, diarrhoea, fever) students will be sent home and must meet return to school health guidelines before returning.

Emergency Situations

In serious medical emergencies:

• ​First aid will be administered
• Emergency services will be called
• Parents/Carers will be contacted
• A staff member will remain with the student at all times​