PUPIL ABSENTEEISM

ATTENDANCE

• Roll call will be taken at the beginning of lesson one by the subject teacher /at roll call by the class teacher.  Names of absentees must be entered on the printed slips.  The name of the class must be filled in next to her name.  Teacher is to sign the absentee slip indicating that the list is correct.
• The slip is then sent to the secretaries’ office where an absentee list will be typed.
• Roll call is taken again during the class period at the end of the day.

ABSENTEE LETTERS

• When a pupil who has been absent returns to school, she must bring with her a note from her parent/guardian explaining her absence.
• All absentee letters must be clipped to the roll call slip and sent to the office during first roll call.
• Any pupil who does not hand in her letter during the first roll call will be placed in detention for one hour on a Friday.
• Absentee letters should be written on a decent size paper and written and signed by the parent/ guardian. It must also include the full name, surname and class of the pupil.
• Failure to hand in an absentee letter will result in a one hour Friday DT
• Boarders who are absent and have been home or staying with a relative must bring a letter when returning to school.
• Boarders who were in sick bay must bring a note from the Matron.

EARLY DEPARTURE

• A sick leave form must be filled in by the pupil giving the relevant details (these forms are available in the secretaries’ office).  The secretary will phone her parents and file the form in the file in the office.  The secretary will inform the relevant subject teacher by intercom that the pupil has gone home.
• If a staff member suspects that a pupil is playing truant, the Grade Head must be informed immediately.  Regular absenteeism should be reported to the Grade Heads.
• If a pupil has to leave early for an appointment.  A note written and signed by a parent/ guardian must be placed in the tray for the Principal’s attention.  When the time comes for the pupil to leave, the letter, signed by the Principal must be collected and a permission to leave slip must be completed.
• Failure to go to the Secretaries’ Office will result in DT.

LATE COMERS

• A pupil is late if she is not present at the class roll call.
• All late-comers MUST report to the secretaries’ office immediately they arrive at school.  The secretary must remove her name from the absentee list and issue them with a “Permission to attend class” form – this form must be given to the teacher when the pupil gets to the class.
• If lateness excuses are unacceptable or non-existent, late comers will be required to make up time during a DT class.
• Persistent late coming should be reported to the Grade Head.
• Secretaries are to keep a file of the late comers in the office.

ABSENT FOR EXAMS

• An assessed mark is only given if a medical certificate is produced.  Otherwise the pupil is marked absent and has an incomplete examination result.
• This applies to all formal examinations and to those finals written during the year such as practicals.

ABSENT FOR TESTS

• Class teachers must write the name and the class of the absentee at the top of the test paper.
• Any learner who is absent for a test will write that test on the day that she returns to school during the supervised study slot.  (This takes precedence over any extra-mural practices!).  Special cases will be decided on by the Deputy Principal on duty for that week.
• Teachers who have administered the test must write the name and class of the learner on the paper as well as the date of the test.
• The Grade Head will visit each class during the test period to collect tests for girls absent on that day. Grade Heads will put these tests in the supervised study box.
• Class captain to keep an accurate record of the learners who miss tests:
  Name of learner, date and subject test missed.
• Once a  learner has missed two tests the class teacher must be informed and the learner’s name and information must be handed to the Secretary who will print the formal response letter from the school on original school letterhead.  A copy of the information MUST be forwarded to the Area Head for the file.
• The learner will be called to the office to collect the letter and will be responsible for ensuring that her parent/ guardian has read the letter and signed the reply slip which has to be returned to the Area Head and filed in the Area Head file.

ABSENT FOR SPORT AND OTHER EVENTS

• This includes PE
• A note must be brought excusing the pupil from the activity.  This note should be handed to the sports coach at the beginning of the day or earlier if possible.
• PE notes are handed in at the beginning of the lesson
• Learners are expected to watch the practice if they are unable to participate

ABSENTEE CO-ORDINATOR

• Collates roll call slips
• Data Capture by co-ordinator or LT
• Checks absentee letters and issues DT to those who have not brought letters
• Collates absentee list with 2nd roll call
• Each week gives list of absentees to Grade Head and Principal
• Grade Head follows up on long / irregular absence – written report to Principal when spoken to learner and / or parent