The Power of Presence: Prioritising Attendance and Punctuality

At Mount Carmel Catholic College, we believe that every school day counts — not just academically, but in forming the whole person, in line with our Catholic values of commitment, responsibility and community.

Regular attendance and punctuality are critical to student success and wellbeing. As outlined by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), students are expected to attend school regularly to meet the learning outcomes required for course completion, including eligibility for the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) and the HSC.

Why Attendance Matters:

• Each day of learning builds upon the last — frequent absences can cause gaps that are difficult to recover.
• Students who attend regularly are more likely to form strong peer relationships, experience a greater sense of belonging, and develop consistent study habits.
• According to NESA guidelines, students must maintain satisfactory attendance to meet course requirements and remain on track for senior certification.

Why Punctuality Counts:

• Arriving on time sets a positive tone for the day and reinforces discipline and respect for others.
• Late arrivals disrupt class routines and compromise learning time — for the individual and their peers.

We ask families to support their children by:

• Ensuring students arrive by 8:40am each day.

• Avoiding unnecessary absences and scheduling appointments outside school hours where possible.

• Communicating promptly with the school regarding absences through the appropriate channels.

Let’s work together to make every minute matter. As a faith-centred learning community, we are called to value the gift of time and the shared responsibility of helping our students grow into confident, capable, and compassionate young adults.

If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance or punctuality, please don’t hesitate to contact your young person’s relevant Year Coordinator.

Together, let’s honour our commitment to excellence — one school day at a time.