Enrolment and attendance data: The SA state schools where children really love to learn

At SA’s best schools, kids love their teachers and absenteeism is rare. Today our new education data series reveals the attendance rates, student numbers and gender mix at every public school.

Isaac, Jack, Ila and Piper with principal Bill Lewis at Norton Summit Primary School, which has one of the best attendance rates in the state. Picture: Matt Loxton

• Which schools are SACE high achievers?
• Which schools are NAPLAN high achievers?
• Explore all the stories in our education data series

At our best schools, kids are excited to learn and absenteeism is rare.

Today we continue our new education data series, giving parents and teachers fresh insight into our state school system.

In the tables below you can explore attendance rates over the past four years, and the total number of students and gender mix, for every public school.

To explore this data, either search by school name or click on the arrows for each category to filter the data in either ascending or descending order. For best usability on mobile devices, switch your phone to landscape orientation. If using our app, tap here for attendance data and tap here for enrolment data.

Up at Norton Summit Primary, the 67 students enrolled for 2019 love going to school, and not just because of the glorious views from the classroom.

The small Adelaide Hills school has one of the best attendance rates in the state, with on average only one in every 20 students each day staying at home.

The rest are happily engaged in learning and play with their mates. Just ask them.

Year 5 student Jack explained; “Our school is a community. Everyone knows

everyone else and you don’t feel left out’’.

Year 3 student Ila is already a people person: “I like to be with friends and make new friends.’’

Isaac (Year 5), likes to be busy: “The teachers organise lots of activities and events.’’

And Piper, Year 2, sounds like the outdoors type already: “We have lots of excursions and camps.’’

Piper, Ila, Isaac and Jack in a flexible learning space at Norton Summit Primary School with principal Bill Lewis. Picture: Matt Loxton

Principal Bill Lewis said there was valuable insight into the school strategy in the comments of Isaac and Piper.

He and other staff have created a busy school with many varied learning activities and a “high expectation” of attendance each day.

“We offer a huge range of curricular and extra activities so that students have always got something good to look forward to,’’ Mr Lewis said. “It is non-stop and what happens is the kids don’t want to miss out.’’

Mr Lewis said having a positive school was important.

“We work very hard on attendance, and the figures were poor some years ago,’’ he said.

“We have improved that four years in a row and we now have one of the highest attendance rates in the state.

“We have strong relationships between staff, students and families. Staff know every student and every parent.

“Staff are approachable and available and there are good communication systems between school and all families.’’

Westbourne Park Primary School principal Julie Gallaher is another head who has made school attendance a pleasure, with nature play an emerging key to enthused students.

In 2018 almost all of her students, 95 per cent on average, attended each day.

“I have to credit my staff who are highly skilled and professional and want to create the best possible learning environment for our kids,’’ Ms Gallagher said.

“If the kids have a good relationship with their teacher then it is a happy place for them to be.

“The community also wants the kids to be here and the kids want to come because it is a good place to be.’’

Department of Education director of early years Ann-Marie Hayes said parents played a crucial role in good attendance rates.

She said online help for parents and teachers was being developed, student-led forums were being held to address attendance, the number of support staff dealing with truancy and non-attendance issues had been increased, and new family group conferencing was being organised.

“Schools who see improvement in their attendance rates know that regular engagement and communication with families is an important part of this work as it helps us all to understand the individual challenges and circumstances that might prevent children from attending,’’ she said.

Ms Hayes said creating a sense of belonging and connection for families and students was important in the school.

“A large part of this is providing a safe, welcoming environment, an inclusive curriculum and making sure programs are relevant and engaging,’’ she said.