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:
See also: School Attendance - Parent Information (also in community languages)
Missing school means your child misses out on vital information and maintaining learning routines. This can result in a loss of confidence and missing out on forming vital friendships.
Attendance is recorded each day. As a parent or caregiver you are responsible for ensuring your child attends school every day, including sports days unless your child:
- has an unavoidable medical or dental appointment (preferably these should be made after school or during holidays)
- is required to attend a recognised religious holiday
- is required to attend an exceptional or urgent family circumstance (such as attending a funeral)
- is sick, or has an infectious illness.
Students need to attend school regularly to meet the course requirements of the Higher School Certificate.
If you are having difficulty getting your child to attend school regularly, you might like to talk to the school principal or the school counsellor.
If your child has to be absent from school for any reason, including arriving late or leaving early, please either tell your child's teacher or the administration officer at our school, or explain the reason by phone, email, or written note as soon as possible and within seven days.
Attendance at Nepean
SMS Messaging and Attendance
At Nepean student attendance and safety is a high priority. We know that students who attend regularly are more likely to be successful and safe at school.
To improve our attendance procedures, we will be informing parents/caregivers about any unexplained absences for their child. The school expects parents/carers to contact the school in advance if they know their child is to be absent. An SMS text message will be automatically sent to the mobile phones of parents explaining that our records show that your child is absent from school. Reply by pressing the reply option on your mobile phone when you receive a message from the school and add your child’s name, year, date of absence and the reason they are absent or late.
e.g. Steven Scott, Year 11 was sick yesterday (Tuesday 15 November)
Text version = “Steven S yr11 Sick tues 15 nov”
If you don’t reply by text, please send a note with your child on their return to school. Some of the other uses of the SMS messaging system could include notification of:
- Announcements or reminders of meetings or forthcoming events.
- Band/Choir/Music lesson reminders.
- Parent Teacher Night.
- Presentation Night.
- Recognition Assembly.
General Attendance Issues
Regular attendance is an essential component of learning and student welfare at our school. Regular attendance is essential to satisfy:
- The legal requirements of the Education Reform Act 1990.
- Preliminary HSC regulations.
- Higher School Certificate regulations.
Roll Call Organisation
Roll Call takes place at the beginning of the school day, as part of the DEAR program and period by period by all teachers. Students are organised by year into roll groups. There are also a few selected specialist roll classes, e.g. SRC, Peer Reading and Aboriginal roll calls.
Extended absences
If your child is going to be away for a considerable period of time due to illness, family holidays etc., please contact the Administration Office so that arrangements can be discussed with the Principal. School work may be able to be provided. An Exemption Form should be completed for extended absences and can be obtained from the Administration Office.
Please download Application for Extended Leave - Travel
Senior Students
All Year 11 students must attend Roll Call. During study periods Year 11 and 12 students may be either in the senior area or attend the Library and complete independent work. Senior students with a study period in Period 5
may go home.
Concerned about your child’s attendance?
Contact the Head Teacher Administration immediately so that the appropriate action can be taken. Early intervention usually ensures quick resolution. Please refer to the Student Diary for information about:
- Late arrivals.
- Leaving school early.
Explaining Absences
Parents are required to provide a written explanation for their child’s absences. If no explanation is received within 7 school days the roll is marked with an ‘A’ indicating an unjustified absences. Students absent for 3 days or more should provide a Doctor’s Certificate, if applicable, upon their return.
School frameworks (school rules)
As well as following the department’s operational policies, we have developed frameworks for our students in line with our school’s values and commitments.
School plans and policies
Please view the school plans and policies below