School attendance plays a critical role in enhancing the lives of students in schools. Every day of attendance adds to a student's academic and social achievements at school, and conversely every absence, can impact learning and progress. This is true for whole day absences and partial-day absences i.e. arriving late or signing out early. Each week, letters are sent home for unexplained absences. If your child brings one of these home, please return it as soon as possible. Absences can only be "explained" within 7 days of the absence occuring, explanations received after this time are classes as "unjustified" and this becomes permanent on their school record.