Attendance

Your child must attend every day while school is in session. The exceptions to this are if your child is excused from daily attendance, is exempt from enrolment, or has been suspended.

If your child is going to be away from school for a short time (for example illness), notify the school office as soon as possible to let them know that your child will be away from school and the reason for the absence. If your child is absent from school for three or more days because of illness, you may be requested by the principal to give the school a medical certificate.

If your child is going to be away for an extended period of time (more than a few days), contact your child's teacher to work out a learning program so that your child doesn't fall behind.

If your child is not at school and a reason has not been provided, the absence will be recorded as 'unexplained' and you will be contacted by your school. If your child is frequently absent from school, your school will work with you to find ways of helping your child continue or resume their education. You have a legal obligation to ensure that your child attends school each day as required.

If your child had been suspended or excluded from school due to unacceptable behaviour you have a responsibility to provide appropriate supervision during the period of suspension or exclusion.

If you have any questions about attendance, contact your school.

Grievance Procedures

Bullying

Bullying is deliberately hurting, threatening or frightening someone repeatedly or over time. This can involve teasing, name-calling, preventing others from going where they want to go or from doing what they want to do, or physically hurting someone.

If you believe that your child is being bullied, the following tips may help you and your child to deal with the situation.

• encourage your child to talk about what is happening
• write down when, where and with whom problems seem to be happening
• make an appointment to see your child's teacher or the school principal to discuss the matter
• ask about the school's policies on acceptable behaviour and bullying
• keep in contact with the school until you are happy that the problem has been sorted out

Parent and Guardian Legal Issues

As a parent or guardian of a student attending a Tasmanian Government school, you have rights and responsibilities relating to your child's learning.

The school should be notified as soon as possible if there are any changes in parent or guardian relationships in your family. The responsibility of looking after your child continues with both parents, regardless of separation, divorce or other changes in circumstances, unless both parents agree or the court orders otherwise.

The school may request that you provide it with either a Parenting Plan or a Parenting Order. It is especially important to provide the school with correct contact information in case of an emergency.

Student reports and other contact with the school will be provided to all people who have a legal right to that information.

Grandparents

Grandparents raising their grandchildren will need to contact the school to notify them that they are the primary carer. The school requires written evidence of 'parental responsibility', which can either be legal documents or a statutory declaration stating that you are the primary carer for the child.

As the primary carer, you will automatically receive all information from your school that a parent would, including notices in relation to discipline, non-attendance and permission forms, as well as school reports and invitations to parent-teacher interviews.

If your grandchild has experienced trauma or difficulties in adjusting to changes within the family, support services are available to help both grandparents and children adjust.

Contact your school if you have any questions about enrolment, life at school or support services.