Academic Leave – reminder of procedures
We remind our parents/carers and students of the process for academic leave as per our Parent Handbook. It is important that we have proper notification and that it is done with plenty of notice.
Attendance and Leave
Students are expected to attend school every day that it is in session. Parents are required to notify the school if their child is absent. If your child is absent from school, you should notify the school by either of the following:
- submitting an Absence Form for your child found in the Forms Library on the Operoo App
- emailing absence details to seniorabsences@scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au or
- contacting Senior Campus Reception on 6331 3911 before 9:30 am to alert staff to the student’s absence and follow this with a written explanation.
If students are late for school (after 8:55 am), they must sign in with our Student Management Officer or at the Head of Senior School office to be recorded as present on that day.
Early Departure
If a student has to leave school early, a note or an email from their parents or guardians must be received. Emails are to be sent to the Senior Absences email address: seniorabsences@scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au
Students are to sign out with our Student Management Officer or at the Head of Senior School office for the absence to be recorded.
Extended Leave for Exceptional Circumstances (3 or more days)
If a student requires extended leave due to illness or for other reasons (e.g. a family holiday), parents or guardians must apply for such leave in writing from the Head of Senior School. This form is located on our College website (parent portal) or in the form library in Operoo.
Local Appointments
Day students who need to attend a local appointment are required to have a note or an email from their parents or guardian. Emails are to be sent to seniorabsences@scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au. Students are to sign out, and if or when they return to the College, their absence is to be recorded.
Australian Secondary Students’ Alcohol and Drug Survey
Recently, some of our students have been involved with the Australian Secondary Students Alcohol and Drug Survey. Our school was randomly invited to participate in the survey, and a random sample of students in Years 7 – 11 has been involved. Whilst no individual data is recorded, the results of this nationwide survey, which is done every 3 years for approximately 30,000 students, are used to aid governments with policy and education programs. We thank the students involved for their involvement.
2026 Leadership Process
Many of our Year 11 students are currently in the process of applying for Student Leadership positions for 2026. The students have submitted an application letter and attended an interview with the student leadership panel. Next Tuesday, each of the students who have been nominated will give a short introductory message to the 7 – 12 students, and then the voting process will commence. We hope to have the 2026 Student Leadership team ready to announce after the Preliminary exam period, and by the end of the term, and the announcement of the specific portfolios ready for the end of Week 1 in Term 4. We congratulate and thank each of the students who have applied to lead and wish them well through the process.
Year 5 Discover High School Day
Next Friday (12 September), we look forward to having Year 5 students spend most of the day in the life of a high school student. Some of our Year 10 students will assist on the day as mentors/buddies for the visiting students as they experience lessons/activities related to mathematics, design and technology, history and wellbeing.
Major Works and Trial Examinations
Our Year 12 students continue to ‘tick off’ a list of things as they race toward the end of Term 3. Recently, the Year 12 students completed their Trial HSC examinations, and many have submitted Design and Technology, Visual Arts or Extension English major works. With only three weeks of formal learning to go, we are strongly encouraging the Year 12 students to keep striving until the end. There have been plenty of students over the years who have improved their HSC mark by 10 to 20% by working hard and increasing effort in the final weeks and in preparation for the HSC examinations in mid-October. The temptation to switch off or give in can be tempting to some, particularly after gaining an early entry offer to a university. However, as most adults will attest, the satisfaction and sense of finishing school well and doing one’s best after 13 years should be a very powerful motivator also. We look forward to celebrating with Year 12 and their families in the coming weeks.
Mr Justin Adams
Head of Senior School
French Excursion to Canberra – A Journey of Language, History, and Culture
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust
On a beautiful spring day, our students embarked on a truly enriching and fun journey to Canberra, where language, history, and art came together to create an unforgettable experience. This excursion was not just a day out, but an opportunity to broaden our perspectives and deepen our understanding of the world around us.
We were incredibly fortunate to begin our day at the French Embassy, a place we have now had the privilege of visiting six times over the years. Each visit is a reminder of the strong and valued relationship between our school and the Embassy, where we are always greeted with such genuine warmth and friendliness.
This year, we were welcomed once again by Francesco Colonna Romano, Attaché for Language and Culture, and Pauline Dinet, Education and Language Officer. Their thoughtful planning and generosity ensured that the day ran seamlessly, making our students feel at ease and truly valued as young ambassadors of language and culture. Their support and commitment to fostering French language learning have been instrumental in creating meaningful experiences for our students.
We were then introduced to the Deputy Head of Mission, Monsieur Guillaume Dabouis, who spoke passionately about the significance of an Embassy and the enduring alliance between France and Australia. Students also had the rare opportunity to meet several department heads, each of whom shared insights into their areas of expertise, from diplomacy and international relations to Science and Innovation.
One of the most memorable moments was the tour of the Ambassador’s gardens, where students were able to admire the stunning architecture and gain a deeper understanding of the symbolic role these spaces play in fostering international cooperation and friendship.
From there, we walked to the Memorial on the grounds of the French Embassy, where we paused to reflect on the sacrifices of all soldiers, particularly those Australians who lost their lives on French soil during World War I. It was a moving experience that deepened our students’ appreciation of the shared history between our two nations.
Our next stop was the Alliance Française, where we were treated to a delicious French-inspired lunch of croque-monsieur, fresh salad, and dessert. Afterwards, students participated in language immersion workshops, where they enthusiastically engaged in activities that built both confidence and fluency. These sessions reinforced the joy and importance of language as a tool for connecting people and cultures.
To conclude the day, we visited the National Gallery of Australia to experience the Cézanne to Giacometti exhibition. The collection took us on a journey through time, showcasing how Cézanne’s groundbreaking ideas left a lasting impact on generations of artists, influencing figures as diverse as Matisse, Giacometti, and even Australian painters such as Russell Drysdale.
The exhibition concluded in a dynamic, interactive space designed by Australian artist Sanné Mestrom, offering students the chance to engage with art in fresh and imaginative ways. Her installation, titled The Whole is Greater than the Sum of Her Parts, draws on the familiar idiom to convey the idea that when individual elements come together, they can form something richer, more beautiful, and more meaningful than they could alone.
This excursion was far more than a day of sightseeing. It was a chance for our students to see the world through a wider lens, to step outside their everyday experiences, and to develop a genuine appreciation for language, culture, and history. When we nurture these experiences, we open doors to deeper understanding, not only of other cultures but also of ourselves.
This day in Canberra reminded us of the richness that comes from exploring new ideas and perspectives, leaving our students inspired to view the world with curiosity, empathy, and respect.
Mrs Ann Maree Adamson
English / LOTE Teacher
