At St. Mary’s Secondary School, we know that every school day matters. Research consistently shows that regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. When students are present, they learn more, achieve more, and feel more connected and confident in school life. Even small, frequent absences can build into significant gaps in learning over time.
As part of our commitment to student wellbeing and academic success, St. Mary’s is delighted to participate in Phase 2 of Anseo – a national attendance pilot involving 60 schools, run by the Department of Education and TUSLA. The Anseo programme supports schools in identifying attendance patterns early, offering timely interventions, and building a positive culture around attendance and punctuality.
Our Expectations for Students
To help every student reach their full potential, we encourage all students to:
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Attend school each day
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Arrive on time
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Stay for the full school day
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Be prepared for class with all necessary materials
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Schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible
These small daily habits make a big difference in learning and achievement. The Every School Day Counts poster (attached) shows how absences — even occasional ones — can add up quickly.
3-Week Attendance Challenge
We are excited to launch our 3-Week Attendance Challenge, running from Monday 24th November to Monday 15th December. All students are encouraged to:
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Attend every day
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Arrive on time
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Be ready to learn
Students who complete the challenge will be entered into a draw for prizes. We will also host a separate draw to recognise students who show the most improved attendance during this period.
Supporting Positive Learning Habits
Our teachers also monitor requests from students to leave class for lockers, toilets, or other reasons, as these interruptions impact teaching and learning. We encourage families to check their daughter’s school journal regularly and contact us if there are concerns about frequent requests to leave class.
Working Together
Good attendance happens when schools and families work in partnership. We appreciate the continued support of parents and guardians in helping students develop strong routines and positive habits.
By working together, we can ensure that every student at St. Mary’s Secondary School has the best opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.