Dear Parents and Carers,
We are in the final weeks of what has been a very busy term.
Today many of our students are attending the WSSA Cross Country at Geurie. We wish them a safe trip and best of luck in what will be challenging weather conditions for all!
In Week 7, 8 Lithgow Public students attended the ATSI Wiradjuri Language and Culture Camp with Mr Clarke and Aunty Kim. Our students demonstrated outstanding behaviour and thoroughly enjoyed the learning with Wiradjuri elders, Uncle Ralph and Aunty Yvonne. Well done to all students and many thanks to Mr Clarke and Aunty Kim for their efforts and organisation.
Teachers have completed student academic reports and these are in the process of being printed. It has been a joy to read these reports and I’m certain that students will be happy to hear the wonderful things their teachers have said about them. Reports will be distributed to parents and caregivers on Monday 21 June.
Attendance Matters
Thank you to our students and families for the continued focus on student attendance. Our school attendance rate is currently sitting at 90.5% for the term and this is unfortunately below our target of 95%. It is important that we all continue to focus on attendance as days missed from school are days that cannot be made up in a child’s education.
Given this, I thought I would take the opportunity to clarify the explanation of absences. Justified reasons for student absences include:
· being sick, or having an infectious disease
· having an unavoidable medical appointment
· being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
· exceptional or urgent family circumstances (e.g. attending a funeral)
When explaining the reason for an absence, it is recommended that parents provide a specific reason rather that a broad or general reason. For example, ‘appointment with pediatrician’, instead of ‘appointment’, or ‘sick with stomach bug’ instead of sick.
Principals may decline to accept an explanation provided if they don’t believe the absence is in the best interests of the child. In these circumstances the absence would then be recorded as ‘unjustified’. Multiple unjustified absences may lead to Home School Liaison Officer intervention. Principals may request medical certificates or other documentation when frequent or long term absences are explained due to illness. If you have any questions about absences please contact the office.
We have certainly entered winter this week – our students have enjoyed the snowy conditions and winter landscape. Many thanks to parents and community members for accommodating changes this week due to the conditions. As you may be aware our school has set procedures to follow in inclement weather. At times the conditions do prevent our staff who live outside Lithgow from reaching school, however wherever possible our aim is to remain operational following normal school routines. We hope everyone has an enjoyable long weekend ahead – stay warm!
Have a great fortnight.
Mark Davies | Principal | Lithgow Public School
