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Attendance

SCOIL BHRÍDE STRAFFAN – EVERY DAY COUNTS!

Attendance: The Foundation for Your Child’s Success

  1. Why Attendance Matters

Scoil Bhríde, Straffan believes that regular attendance is an essential factor in pupil learning and enables every child to actively participate in school activities. It provides children with a solid foundation for life by ensuring they don’t miss out on learning, social development, and valuable time with friends and teachers. Every school day is a new opportunity for growth.

  1. The Big Picture: Did You Know?
  • The 1 in 5 Stat: Currently, 1 in 5 students in Irish primary schools miss a month or more of the school year.
  • The Impact of Casual Absence: Missing “just a day or two” here and there adds up quickly, creating a real risk that children will not achieve their full potential.
  • The Law: Under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, schools are legally required to report to the Education Welfare Officer if a child misses 20 days or more in a school year.

  1. How Parents Can Help
  • Punctuality: School begins at 9:20am; being on time is essential for a stable learning environment.
  • Routines: Implement regular night-time and morning routines, such as laying out clothes and eating breakfast at the same time.
  • Holidays: Please refrain from taking family holidays during school term time.
  • Communication: Always provide a written note to the class teacher to explain every absence.
  1. Spotting “School Reluctance” Early

Sometimes children feel uneasy about school. Watch for these early signs:

  • Frequent complaints about school or being very upset on school mornings.
  • Difficulty attending after weekends or holidays.
  • Illness complaints that seem to fade if the child is allowed to stay home.

What to do: Remain calm and positive. Acknowledge their feelings but be clear and firm that they must attend. Intervention is much easier at the early stage than after a cycle of avoidance begins.

 

  1. We Are Here To Support You!

If attendance becomes a challenge, you are not alone.

  • Talk to us: Contact your child’s teacher or the Principal to discuss any barriers to attendance.
  • Resources: Visit gov.ie/SchoolAttendance for guidance on managing school reluctance.
  • Goal: Our aim is to work together to ensure your child feels happy, safe, and connected at Scoil Bhríde.
Useful Resources and Links