Page 13 - Harvest Connect Vol 24.8

Policy Corner
Student Attendance
Welcome to the Harvest Policy Corner where we address some of the current policies used within the College.
Student Attendance
There are a multitude of reasons why students can be absent from school; however, the College has a duty to report prolonged absences to authorities. If your child is away from school, it is important that you notify us as soon as possible, preferably prior to the start of the school day on which they are absent, with an explanation for their absence. You can do this by emailing your child’s Homegroup teacher or the Front Office.
In line with our Student Attendance Policy/Procedure, which is available on the Parent Portal, parents and caregivers need to:
• ensure their child arrives at the College or commences their educational program on time every day;
• minimise disrupting their child’s school day so their child has the best opportunity to learn;
• contact the College prior to any planned absences;
• provide an explanation (in writing) for each absence, prior to or on the day of the child’s return to the College;
• provide a medical certificate to the College on the day of the child’s return to the College if the child was away for three or more consecutive days due to illness; and
• ensure their child follows the College’s recommended processes and procedures for late arrival and early departure, which includes signing in and out of the Front Office.
If Homegroup teachers have not been informed of the reason for an absence, they will follow up with the parents/caregivers by email. It is important that parents/caregivers respond to these emails, as five or more consecutive unexplained days, or 10 or more unexplained absences in a term can lead to further action by the College, in order to comply with legislative requirements. We encourage you to read the Student Attendance Policy/Procedure for more details using the following link:
https://sites.google.com/harvest.sa.edu.au/college-parent-portal/student-attendance-policyprocedure
Samantha McDonald
Policy and Administration Coordinator
Tyndale Update
Last week, the HCC Board and Association met and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Tyndale and Harvest to officially begin the journey of becoming a part of the Tyndale Group of Schools with the aim of officially joining it in January 2024.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Harvest. Whilst we will still remain independent as Harvest Christian College, we will have the benefits of being a part of the larger group. All being well, we will proudly advertise this from the beginning of 2024 in our signage and correspondence to our community.
Should there be any questions or concerns, please contact Mr Ayoub by email principal@harvest.sa.edu.au or the College on 8821 4945.
13 SERVING the Yorke Peninsula for over 20 years