Dear Parents/Carers
Attendance
As you know, being in school on time and every day is extremely important for all children in order that they receive the best possible start to their learning. We have recently sent out a one-page information sheet with lots of useful facts about attendance and what we do in our school.
We all know that good attendance is vital to a successful education, as this is the foundation for lifelong learning. We very much appreciate that sometimes children must miss school for a medical appointment that cannot be made out of school time. We also appreciate that sickness cannot be helped.
Please ensure that you make all reasonable efforts to send your child into school. Sometimes you might suspect that your child is slightly under the weather, but well enough to come to school. That is fine, as staff will monitor very carefully and if necessary, can administer medication and a call later on in the day. Sometimes a magic dose of Calpol is all that is needed. Clearly, there are some illnesses that mean there is no choice other than keeping them off for the day. The office staff are more than happy to discuss any queries you have.
Did you know that a child having 90% attendance is the same as having one day off every two weeks? If their attendance drops to 80%, that is the same as having a day off every week. Lessons are planned in sequences and if a child misses a part of this sequence, they are at a disadvantage when it comes to committing that learning to long term memory.
Mrs Powell, Mrs Millington and I, monitor the attendance figures every three weeks along with our Education Welfare Officer. We discuss all attendance below 95% and put actions in place to support children and families where we notice patterns in absence.
Not only do we monitor individual children’s attendance, but we also look at the attendance of each class in our school. We are going to bring back more recognition for good attendance during our achievement assemblies now that we can be together in the hall again. The classes with the highest attendance will be announced in assembly every week.
Attendance Incentives
Cool Cat visits Newdale and greets the children arriving at school. He will visit again this year:
26th – 30th September 2022
23rd – 27th January 2023
24th – 28th April 2023
Children with 100% attendance will receive a treat.
The class with the best attendance each week will also receive a treat.
It is important to remind you the law states that: “The parent of every child of statutory school age is compelled by law to ensure such a child attends school unless there is a reasonable excuse for non-attendance. Failure to do so may result in legal action being taken against you”.
Thank you in advance for your continued support in helping us do the best we can for your children.
Miss Cook
Headteacher
