Head of Junior School
School Attendance Procedures
At WestMAC we consider that effectively managing school attendance is not only a legislated responsibility but also an important child safety and student wellbeing concern. Included below are reminders about important processes in this regard.
Arrival on time for school
Students are required to be at school to attend Pastoral Care Time, which starts at 8.25am each day. It is important for student wellbeing that children arrive at school in time to feel prepared for the school day. Pastoral Care Time includes important messages, prompting students about schedule for the day and student wellbeing check-ins which promote confidence and independence.
Late arrivals
Any student who arrives late during the school day is required to report to Junior School reception with a parent/carer to sign in on the late arrivals register. Students will be issued with a late pass in their Student Diary for their class teacher.
Early departures
Any student who needs to leave the College early during the school day is to report to the relative sub-school reception with a note of permission written by a parent in the Student Diary or communicate the same to the sub-school reception via phone or email. The parent must sign the student out via the Early Departure Register. Any student leaving during the College day for an appointment and then returning to school will need to be signed-out and signed-in at the relevant sub-school reception.
If a student becomes ill during the school day, they will be directed to the Health Centre where a College Nurse will contact a parent or guardian to collect them if necessary. In such a case the student will be signed out in the Early Departure Register in the Health Centre.
Reporting Student Absence
If your child will be absent from school, parents are expected to phone the Absentee Line prior to 8.15am on the day of absence. Please provide your child’s name, class, and a reason for the absence.
Parents of students not in attendance at school and where a reason has not been provided for the absence, will receive an SMS from the College. Please contact Junior School reception as soon as practical to confirm your child’s absence from school and provide the reason. If you don’t respond to our SMS, the sub-school Receptionist will contact you with a follow up phone call.
Absence for holidays during school term
Attendance at school is compulsory. Families wishing to take holidays during the school term are required to seek permission in writing from the Head of Junior School. In the case of an extended absence from school, an exemption from attendance form may need to be completed and approved.
Your assistance in following these simple steps will provide our students with the highest level of care and safety.
Uniform Focus
Families are reminded about correct winter uniform items in addition to the formal College uniform. This includes:
- WestMAC jumper, vest and or jacket
- Flesh coloured tights for girls
- WestMAC navy scarf only
Non-WestMAC uniform scarves, gloves or jackets are not to be worn.
Please ensure that jumpers, vest, jackets and scarves are correctly named. This allows us to return mis-placed items to the correct students.
A word from Michele Juratowich - Carpe Diem
Not many students now learn Latin but a few Latin words and phrases have entered common usage. “Carpe diem”, translated as “seize the day”, is one Latin phrase that is widely understood and still used in modern times. Although originally taken from a poem written in the Odes by the Latin poet Horace, the phrase was made popular when used in the movie The Dead Poet’s Society.
“Carpe diem” has become a call for action and an impetus for each of us to make the most of each day. The phrase is used to suggest one should not put off doing things indefinitely but rather act here and now in order to live life to the fullest. In other words, we should grab opportunities that present and decide to do things today. The implication is that if we don’t take opportunities now, the opportunity may not present itself again and it may be too late to do things at another time.
This concept applies to students who can take immediate action in many ways: taking notes in class; asking questions about a topic; getting started on assignments immediately; undertaking research projects; doing revision and making early preparation for exams. There are lots of ways that students can take immediate action and seize an opportunity; using time efficiently and taking advantage of whatever time is available. There are many opportunities outside of school, including within extracurricular activities, when an unexpected opportunity arises and students must make a decision as to whether or not to act upon this. Of course, students who are already well prepared and have developed critical skills are in a much stronger position to utilize such opportunities.
“Carpe diem” refers to using time well and taking opportunities now in order to create a better future and enjoying life to the full. This approach does not promote dangerous, risk taking behaviour or impulsively making decisions without sufficient information or caution. A thoughtful, considered approach that encourages effective use of time and preparedness to take up opportunities as they present is embodied by the phrase.
Mindfulness, which has been practiced in Eastern philosophies for thousands of years, is based upon a similar premise: paying attention to the here and now; focusing one’s attention upon and utilizing the present. This doesn’t mean that the past or the future is ignored; learning from the past can inform current decisions and allows individuals to focus on the present in ways that will create a better future. Seizing the day is similar to mindfulness in suggesting a focus on the present and both imply maintaining openness to possibilities. None of us knows what the future holds but we can prepare for the future by acting today and remaining open to utilizing opportunities that may arise in the future.
© Michele Juratowitch