Dear Parents,
You may be aware that the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) was set-up under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. This agency was established to support regular school attendance and the education of children and young people. In recent times, The Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) have taken over the role of monitoring attendance in schools.
The Importance of a Good Education
As you know, a good education gives your child the best possible start in life. A good education helps young people to obtain secure employment and develop into mature and responsible citizens. The purpose of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 is to encourage regular school attendance and participation in education and training for as long as possible. It is desirable that every child stays in school and completes the Leaving Certificate.
School Attendance
Under the Education Welfare Act 2000 and as amended in 2013, every child must attend school regularly up to sixteen year of age or complete at least three years education in a post primary school, whichever comes later. The NEWB and subsequently TUSLA was established to monitor and support school attendance and follow up on children who are not attending school regularly.
Our School Policy
As a parent, you must let the school know if your child is absent and the reason why. It is school policy that reasons must be given in writing to the class teacher. It is also permissible to use the absence notes at the back of the pupil journal. It is not in keeping with school policy that the parent/guardian contacts either the school principal or the school secretary regarding a child’s absence, (unless in exceptional circumstances). The school is required to notify the Child and Family Welfare Board (TUSLA) if a child is absent for 20 days or more or where the absence gives rise to concern. There are four reporting periods during the school year. If a child’s absences continue to rise above 20 days, the school is required to inform TUSLA about the cumulative absences of that child.
If a child is sick or is absent for other good reasons, no action will be taken by TUSLA. However, if there is concern about a child’s attendance at school or about the reasons given, it would be necessary to contact the Education Welfare Officer. Strategies would then need to be worked out to improve the child’s attendance in school.
A copy of the school’s attendance policy is available on request. Further information concerning this service and about school attendance matters generally can be obtained from the national Lo-Call Education Helpline (1890 36 36 66), which is staffed by an Education Welfare Officer.
Yours sincerely,
David Nolan, Principal.