There are various reasons why students are occasionally taken out of school during term time to spend time with their families. These reasons can range from significant life events such as family weddings, sickness or funerals of relatives, elite sports programs that fall during term time, to more leisurely pursuits like family reunions or extended vacations to distant destinations. However, it's also true that sometimes the decision to travel during school time is driven by practical considerations such as cheaper fares, better travel conditions, or the convenience of avoiding peak travel times.
The College's policy regarding traveling during school time is aligned with the guidelines set by NESA (New South Wales Education Standards Authority). For senior students, particularly those in Years 10-12, there is a strong discouragement against traveling during term time due to the potentially significant impact on their learning outcomes. Exceptions are only granted to students with special circumstances, and unauthorised absences carry penalties such as loss of marks for missed assessments and crucial class time that could affect their understanding of foundational concepts necessary for exams and learning progress.
In the case of younger students, typically in Years 7-9, there may be a bit more flexibility regarding leave approval, if the absences are not excessive. However, families should be mindful that even short absences can result in missed learning opportunities. For instance, being absent for 2 or 3 weeks from a mathematics program could mean missing an entire unit of work. This unit of work is normally a building block for future understanding of more advanced mathematical concepts. Consequently, catching up on missed material can pose a significant challenge once knowledge gaps emerge.
Moreover, there are additional challenges associated with missing school during term time:
Social and Emotional Impact: Students may feel disconnected from their peers and teachers upon their return, potentially affecting their social and emotional well-being.
Disruption of Routine: Absences can disrupt the established learning routine, making it harder for students to get back into the flow of their studies upon their return.
Incomplete Participation: Students may miss out on valuable classroom discussions, group activities, and hands-on learning experiences that cannot be fully replicated outside of the classroom.
Legal Implications: Whilst the College considers special requests, our legal obligation is to ensure we follow the NESA guidelines which are limited in terms of granting leave in Term Time.
Overall, while occasional absences for family reasons may be understandable, it's essential for families to consider the potential academic and developmental implications of taking students out of school during term time and to prioritise their education accordingly.
In my follow up article, I will try to give some assistance and advice for families that are finding it very difficult to avoid travel during term time.