Rules and policies are in place to make sure your child remains safe and well at school.
Visit the NSW Department of Education’s policy library for all current operational policies.
Our school uses the department's School Community Charter to ensure all of our communication is collaborative and respectful.
Attendance and absences
Students must attend school regularly so they can achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options.
In NSW, all children from the age of 6 are legally required to attend school or be registered for home schooling through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). All students must complete Year 10, or its equivalent.
Young people below the age of 17 who have completed Year 10 must be:
in school, or registered for home schooling
in approved education or training, such as a traineeship, apprenticeship or TAFE
in full-time paid employment (average 25 hours a week)
in a combination of work, education and/or training (average of 25 hours a week combined).
Students 17 years and over who are enrolled in school must attend school regularly to meet HSC course requirements.
As a parent or carer, you are responsible for ensuring your child attends school every day when they are of compulsory school age. You must explain all absences to the school within 7 days.
For more information about compulsory school attendance, visit:
Procedures when a student is absent from Fairfield High School
The day a student returns to school they should give a note to the administration office which explains their absence (no later than 7 days after the absence).
- Notes should be written by the parent/guardian and clearly state the date(s) they were absent, their Roll Call group and your name.
- If a student is absent for three days or more due to illness they should bring a doctor's certificate to the Administration office.
- If a student is going to be absent from school because they are going on holiday or overseas etc., they bring in a note at least one week before they go, asking the Principal's permission for them to take leave from school as well as a copy of the airline ticket. Extended holidays should not be taken during the school term. If the Principal approves the leave, this is not an exemption from school.
Lateness
Students should endeavour to be at school on time, every day. If a student is late they MUST:
- Report to the Administration building and swipe in with their ID Card;
- Receive a late slip from the Administration building; and
- Show the late slip to the classroom teacher upon arriving to class.
A student should ensure they have their ID card to sign in late.
Lateness to School
Students with persistent lateness patterns will be placed on a attendance card and parent interviews may be conducted.
Early Leavers
If a student needs to leave school early they should:
- Bring a parental note stating why and when the student is required to leave school;
- Show the note to the Deputy Principal in charge of their year and receive an early leaver's pass; and
- Show the early leaver's pass to the classroom teacher when leaving class.
All appointments should be made outside of school times
Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds without permission.
Extended Leave
Leave in excess of ten (10) days, other than holidays, must be approved. An Application for Exemption from Attendance at School is sought through an interview with the Principal and must be approved prior to the period of leave.
Once leave has been approved, parents/caregivers will be issued with a Certificate of Exemption.
This will only be approved in extreme circumstance. Holidays are not approved leave under Department of Education policy and will be recorded as days absent.
Attendance Concerns
Attendance concerns will be addressed by the school by one or more of the following:
- Letter of concern may be sent;
- Parents/caregivers may be called to the school for an interview;
- The Home School Liaison Officer (HSLO) may investigate and/or visit the home where attendance is an ongoing problem;
- Centrelink payments may be at risk for extended periods of absence.
School frameworks (school rules)
As well as following the department’s operational policies, we have developed frameworks for our students in line with our school’s values and commitments.
To assist students to grow in self-discipline, Fairfield High School presents them with a number of specific rules and standards. The rules are based upon the ethos of the CARE code:
C - Community
A - Achievement
R - Respect
E - Environment
Fairfield HS students are part of a cohesive community, striving to achieve their best, showing respect for the learning of all, in a caring enviroment.
Fairfield High School Positive Behaviour Poicy
Fairfield High School has developed a clearly structured Positive Behaviour Policy that meets the NSW Department of Education (NSW DoE) requirement that schools must have a discipline policy containing four components: • school rules • strategies and practices to promote positive student behaviour • strategies and practices to recognise and reinforce student achievement • strategies and practices to manage inappropriate student behaviour