Attendance
We encourage all our students to be Bush HEROs. To be Here Every Day Ready for class On Time!
Our attendance strategies aim to promote improved academic success: regular attendance is closely linked to academic achievement. Consistent participation in classes allows students to absorb content, understand lessons, and perform well in assessments. Our experience as a school and international research proves that regular missing classes can result in gaps in learning, which will affect grades and overall educational progress and a sense of well-being.
We believe that school is not just about academic knowledge but about building confidence and developing life skills such as time management, responsibility, and social interactions. Regular attendance helps students hone these essential skills. Regular attendance encourages students to engage with the school community, participate in extracurricular activities, and foster a sense of belonging.
Full attendance each year is rewarded by the presentation of a Star Participant Award at our annual Awards ceremony. Monthly awards will be presented to students with full attendance or best improved attendance.
Compass Education System
During the 2024-2025 academic year, Bush Post Primary school successfully moved to the COMPASS education communication system. This system allows for instant and accurate information to be shared with parents and among staff. Attendance, punctuality, behaviours are all recorded each day on this system. Parents and guardians receive a notification if their son/daughter has missed the first two classes of the day, they are asked to explain the absence on Compass.
It is important that parents/guardians have downloaded the Compass app. All communication with parents regarding reports, trips and general information will go through this app, it is essential that parents have access to it. An email has been sent to parents not yet on the app, containing log on details. If parents have not received this email, parents should contact the school, and provide the school with the correct email address to send the information. Further information on accessing the Compass app Can be accessed here – https://www.compass.education/ie/compass-features/compass-for-parents/
Staged Approach to Concerning Attendance.
Each week, members of the attendance team meet and discuss all pupil attendance. The relevant Year Head, Home School Community Liaison Officer, the Deputy Principals make up the Attendance Team. This team is responsible for the overall monitoring of attendance and for identifying students who are persistently late or absent from school. If a student is absent and the team is concerned this is a developing pattern, the parent/guardian will receive a letter and may be invited to a supportive meeting with your child’s Year Head/Deputy Principal. If there are circumstances you would like to discuss, or if your child requires additional support, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Year Head who will be happy to help.
If you are concerned your child is school avoiding please let us know, the sooner we know the better. We can put supports in place to help you. Our Home School Community Liaison Teacher, Ciara Harkin, is aware of many supports in school and in the wider community and can assist you and offer you and your child support.
A report on attendance is compiled for the Board of Management once a year. A report of students who are absent for twenty days or more in a school year is forwarded to TUSLA twice each per year. School holidays should not be taken during school term.
-Home School Community Liaison Teacher
Ciara Harkin – 0862035834/[email protected]
-School Completion Team Co-Ordinator – Majella O’Hanlon – [email protected]
-Educational Welfare Officer – TESS, Brigid Malone- [email protected]
Other links currently on website – Attendance Campaign/TUSLA
HSCL - Home School Community Liaison Coordinator
Ciara Harkin
I am the Home School Liaison Teacher for Bush Post Primary School. My role within the school is part of the ‘Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools’ Scheme. My main role is to be a support to parents/guardians by creating a bridge between home, school and the community. We want your child to be happy and my hope is that no parent/guardian feels alone when supporting their child in their unique educational journey.
I offer a wide range of support and guidance with the key aim of working together to ensure your child reaches their full potential in school.
Please do get in contact if needed, I am here to help.
How to get in contact:
- I offer a Parental Drop-in Service from 8.30am – 9.00am every morning, you can find me in my office at the back of the school, or at the front door.
- Alternatively you can contact me on 0862035834 during school hours.
Supports offered by the HSCL:
- Assist with the transfer of students from primary to secondary school
- Liaise between parents, Principal and teachers
- Support parents to ensure your child’s regular attendance at school
- Support with your child’s behavioural and emotional issues
- Support with referrals to local support agencies (e.g. EWO, ISPCC)
- Support with referrals to NEPs, Speech and Language, Occupational therapy, HSE
- Support parents’ attendance at appointments
- Link families with local agencies
- Advocate for parents at meetings
- Home visits
- Financial Support
- Run courses to promote parents’ personal development
- Run courses to promote parents’ positive participation in your child’s education
- Run Parent subject-based courses
- Hold information meeting for parents
- Distribute information leaflets to parents
- Provide a Parents’ Space for meetings, classes and activities
- Inform parents of HSCL news
