School absenteeism and truancy can impact significantly on students' learning and wellbeing.
Research shows that in Queensland, higher student attendance is associated, on average, with higher student achievement. Additionally, attending school every day helps children to build social and emotional skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience.
Under the law, you must make sure your child is enrolled and attends school on all school days unless there is a reasonable excuse. Schools must monitor attendance of students and follow up with parents and caregivers any unexplained absences.
If your child can not or does not want to go to school, or is missing school without you knowing, contact your school immediately for assistance and support.
Schools will:
- monitor student attendance
- notify you if your child has an unexplained absence as soon as practicable on the day of your child's absence and continue to follow-up with you as practicable
- use effective teaching strategies to engage your child in learning
- help you with strategies to encourage your child to go to school
- provide support for families.
Staying healthy during flu season
Flu season can lead to a drop in school attendance. By adopting simple flu prevention strategies, we can work together to keep your child healthy, at school, and engaged.
Queensland Health offers valuable information on prevention, recognising symptoms and managing the flu. You can learn more about influenza and how to reduce transmission in schools and early childhood settings through their guidance on
influenza and disease prevention in education and care settings.
Supporting resources, including the
Time Out poster and
Time Out brochure, are available via Queensland Health to help families make informed decisions and keep school communities healthy during flu season.