As I write my contribution for the Newsletter today, I find myself reflecting on over 100 late arrivals at school this week. I understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes, despite our best intentions, we end up running late. However, I'm genuinely concerned about the number of students who are frequently late and those who are missing significant portions of their school day.

It’s completely understandable that our children might face a rough morning now and then—sickness, fatigue, or unexpected situations can all contribute to late arrivals. Occasional lateness might not have a dramatic impact, but when it becomes a pattern, it can hinder a child's overall educational experience. I think it’s important to share some insights on how regular lateness can affect our students.

When a child arrives late, it can create stress not only for them but also for their classmates, as lessons must be paused to help them catch up. School is built on a foundation of organisation, structure, and predictability, all of which help students focus on their learning. When students are repeatedly late, it disrupts this important routine, making it harder for them to settle in and embrace the day's lessons.

Our other concern is the number of students who are regularly signed out early. School finishes at 2:50 p.m. Our students are still engaged in lessons in the afternoon session and, therefore, are missing out on valuable learning opportunities.

I hope we can work together to find ways to help our children arrive on time and stay for the duration of the school day (pending unforeseen disruptions, appointments etc)  allowing them (and their classmates) to fully benefit from the educational experience we strive to provide. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Please see the following table that outlines ‘Every Minute Counts’

Best Wishes

Nicole Lennox