Student Absences
River Valley Primary School
Do you need to let the school know if your child will be away from school?
Yes, you need to let administration or your child/ren's classroom teacher know the reason why your child is going to be, or has been, absent from school, as soon as possible. Where possible, please discuss any upcoming absences in advance so we can let you know of important learning or activities your child will miss out on.
This requires a responsible person, usually a parent, to provide a reason for the absence within three school days.
Having information about why your child is missing school helps us plan for their return to school, and work out whether we can provide any further help to you.
Please note that all instances of vacation that occur inside school terms are classified as unauthorised absences.
The school policy is to not provide work for students to complete during their family holidays.
Absences can be notified by phone, email or a written note to the class teacher.
The Principal decides if the reason given for your child’s absence is acceptable, however If the following reasons are given these will all be marked as an unacceptable reason:
- is celebrating a birthday
- is visiting family and friends
- has family and friends visiting
- has slept in or had a big weekend
- is looking after other children
- has sport or other recreational activities that have not been approved by the school
- has appointment such as haircuts and minor check ups
The School Education Act 1999does not allow principals to give permission for families to take holidays during the school term. As students are required to attend school every day, time off for holidays is recorded as an absence.
If possible, routine medical and other health appointments should be made either before or after school, or during the school holidays.
Mobile phone Short Message Service (SMS)
This is used to send text messages to parents/guardians notifying them of an unexplained absence of their child.
River Valley Primary School has transitioned to a new Department of Education system whereby all Attendance SMS messages will come from the contact RiverVPS.
The system will notify parents, guardians, or caregivers of unexplained absences or late arrivals.
Below is a sample message:
George is not present for a class as of 12:31pm. Please add attendance note here:
mpass.co/M58KEgVMJy or contact the school.
If your child is absent and a reason has been provided before the time the SMS is due to be sent, you will not receive a text message.
How do I reply to an SMS message from the school?
Parents should use the link in the SMS to add attendance notes about their child/dren's absence.
Please note that the link will be valid for 48 HOURS ONLY.
Do not reply to this message vis SMS as the school will not receive it. The school will receive your response via the link provided.
Ensure your phone is connected to an Internet Data Plan or has WIFI access to use the hyperlink.
If your child/ren are absent again without a prior explanation, parents will receive a new one-time link.
If parents do not use the link provided, they can notify the school of their child/ren's absence via telephone 9586 0850
or email rivervalley.ps@education.wa.edu.au.
Please DO NOT use Class Dojo for absentee information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SMS COMMUNICATIONS
As a parent, what do I need to do?
If you know your child is going to be absent, please contact the school well before the set SMS sending time, which will be every school day.
If you do not contact the school, the SMS system will automatically send you a text message advising you that your child is not at school.
What if my mobile number changes?
Please notify the school immediately if your mobile number changes.
What if there is a custodial order preventing contact?
The parent/guardian with legal custody of the child must provide evidence to the school in the form of a court order
for the school to legally deny a parent/guardian access to any information about their child.
What are the requirements for notification of student absences?
It is a legal requirement that parents contact the school regarding any student absences or reasons for lateness.
If an explanation for the absence has been provided prior to each morning, then parents will not receive an SMS.
Parents need to be aware that this system is an additional absence follow up service only. There will be times when parents may not receive a text message due to technical issues. In cases where you are concerned about your child’s attendance, please contact the school directly.
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