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:
Notifying the school of absence
In the event of an absence a phone call should be made to the school where the absence will be noted and thus there is no need for a note to be sent in. Should the absence be for more than one day please include this information. If it is not possible to contact the school then an explanatory note should accompany the student on his/her return.
The note should contain the student's name and year. It should include the dates of absence, the reasonfor the absence and the signature of the Parent/Guardian. (The note should be placed in the box provided in the foyer of the administration block).
Sample
Date:
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Kim Smith of Year 9 was absent on (date/sof Absence) due to.(reason).
Signed: Parent/Guardian.
Request to leave school early or leave school grounds
Pupils with a legitimate reason for leaving the school early, or leaving the school premises for an interval of time, must present a note to the Welfare Head Teacher or Deputy Principals between 8.30am and 8.45am on the day. The note, to be written, dated and signed by parent or guardian, must show the reason for the request, the time of departure and transport arrangements. The student's name and year must be printed on the bottom of the letter.
Every endeavour should be made to make medical/dental appointments, shopping excursions, visits outside of school hours.
Arrival at school in the morning
Upon arrival at school in the morning all students should come into the school grounds immediately. They are not to go to shops nor loiter around the front gates nor in the car park area waiting for friends. Once at school, students are not permitted to leave the school grounds without permission. Supervision of the school grounds commences at 8.30am.
Lateness to school
Latecomers must have some kind of notification from parents/guardians, explaining the lateness. This can be a note, a phone call, an email or in person. They are to report to the Front Office for registration of lateness and a late note.
Leaving or transferring to another school
You should present a note to the Deputy, signed by your parent or guardian, stating the relevant particulars. You will have to take a ‘Leaver's Card' to be signed by your teachers to indicate that you have returned all property and equipment of the school and that you have paid all fees. A clearance from Erina High School or a Transfer Certificate will not be issued until this is completed. A Transfer Certificate must be presented when enrolling at another Department School
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.
Values are taught in the classroom to help our students to:
- develop a love of learning
- pursue excellence and high standards
- develop care and respect for themselves and others
- take pride in their work
- exhibit a strong sense of fairness and social justice
- have respect for and understanding of Australia's history including the cultures and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first peoples of Australia, and Australia as a multicultural society
- have an appreciation of Australia's history and multicultural society
- actively participate as citizens.
All students are expected to:
- attend school every day, unless they are legally excused
- be in class on time and prepared to learn
- maintain a neat appearance and follow the school uniform policy
- behave safely, considerately and responsibly including when travelling to and from school
- follow class rules, speak courteously and cooperate with instructions and learning activities
- treat staff, other students and members of the school community with dignity and respect
- care for property belonging to themselves, the school and others.
Any behaviour that infringes on other people's safety such as harassment, bullying or any illegal behaviour will not be tolerated at our school.