Record of School Achievement – procedures for dealing with absences in Years 7–10

ACE 4018

Last Updated: 29 March 2019

Absence through illness and/or physical injury

In the case of prolonged or recurring illness or injury, a medical certificate will be accepted as satisfactory evidence of legitimate absence.

In many instances, school work may be undertaken while at home or in hospital. In this way, the principal may be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence for deeming that a student has met course requirements and achieved the outcomes of the course.

A student affected by long-term illness may elect to accumulate the Record of School Achievement. The student will then be graded with the cohort of students with whom he or she completes each course.

Absence on holidays

It may be possible for compensatory assignments to be negotiated, completed and posted back to school by students who are absent on holidays. In this way, the principal may be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence for deeming that a student has met course requirements and achieved the outcomes of the course.

Some students may be judged able to catch up missed work upon return, in order to meet course requirements and achieve the outcomes of the course.

Absences without satisfactory explanation

Any unsatisfactorily explained absence, or series of unexplained absences, if the length or pattern is extensive, may result in a course(s) not being satisfactorily completed. Warning letters to the student/parent must indicate how the absence may result in non-completion of course requirements and must set out the steps necessary for the student to satisfactorily complete the course(s).

Absence prior to the final date for Year 10

It is a requirement for the award of the Record of School Achievement that students attend until the final day of Year 10 as determined by the school system concerned or by the principal of non-systemic schools. In all cases, schools are to ensure that syllabus outcomes and course study requirements, including indicative hours of study as specified by NESA are met.