Bell times and attendance
Our school day is structured around a clear timetable. We have set times for learning sessions, activities and lunch. Understanding the bell times helps students get the most out of each part of the day.
Students are expected to attend school every day, whether it’s the first or last day of term, Mondays, Fridays, or on days set aside for sports carnivals, excursions and incursions.
It's important for students to arrive on time each day. If your child is running late, please contact our front office.
To submit an absence for your child please go to the Sentral Parent Portal
Our bell times
Attendance
Regular school attendance is a collaborative effort between our school community and home. We want all students to achieve their educational best. Coming to school every day builds friendships, routine, and strong learning habits.
We look forward to working in partnership with you to support your child to fulfil their life opportunities.
Every day matters at LPS!
My child is running late?
It's important for students to arrive on time each day. If your child is running late, please contact us.
All students must be accompanied by a parent or carer to the front office to record their arrival if arriving after the 8:50am bell.
Arriving at school and class on time:
- ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day
- helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine
- gives students time to greet their friends before class
- reduces classroom disruption.
Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents.
If your child is sick or absent, please provide a reason for the absence via Sentral.
My child needs to leave early?
If you need to collect your child early from school it is essential that you enter this absence into Sentral or email the school prior to arriving to collect your child.
This will ensure that you child is in the office ready and waiting for when you arrive.
Please do your best to schedule any appointments outside of school hours, though we know this is not always possible.
Education in New South Wales is compulsory for all children between the ages of six years and below the minimum school leaving age of 17 years.
The Education Act 1990 requires that parents ensure their children of compulsory school age are enrolled at, and regularly attend school, or, are registered with the NSW Education Standards Authority for home schooling.
Once enrolled, children are required to attend school each day it is open for students.
All New South Wales students must complete Year 10 or its equivalent. After Year 10, and up until they reach 17 years of age, there are a range of flexible options for students to complete their schooling.
On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:
- being sick, or having an infectious disease
- having an unavoidable medical appointment
- being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
- exceptional or urgent family circumstance e.g. attending a funeral.
Following an absence from school you must ensure that within 7 days you provide your child’s school with a verbal or written explanation for the absence (you can use the link below). However, if the school has not received an explanation from you within 2 days, the school may contact you to discuss the absence.
Principals may decline to accept an explanation that you have provided if they do not believe the absence is in the best interest of your child. In these circumstances your child’s absence would be recorded as unjustified. When this happens the principal will discuss their decision with you and the reasons why.
Principals may request medical certificates or other documentation when frequent or long term absences are explained as being due to illness. Principals may also seek parental permission to speak with medical specialists to obtain information to collaboratively develop a health care plan to support your child. If the request is denied, the principal can record the absences as unjustified.
Absences relating to travel will be marked as leave on the roll and therefore contribute to your child’s total absences for the year.
In some circumstances students may be eligible to enrol in distance education for travel periods over 50 school days. This should be discussed with your child’s school principal.
The principal may seek further support from the Home School Liaison Program to develop an Attendance Improvement Plan.
Need help with attendance?
If you have questions about arrival times or absences, please contact us.
Travel to school
Learn about local transport options and how to get here safely.
Parent portal
Use our parent portal apps to make a payment, view reports and record absences.