Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am looking forward to welcoming our students back to school tomorrow after their well earned break. The Department of Education and Youth has requested that we highlight the following information to you in relation to attendance:
‘New data published by Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) shows that one in five children in primary and post-primary school are missing a month or more of their school year. The 2023/24 report indicates that while non-attendance is decreasing it is still significantly greater than pre-pandemic levels.’
Our Attendance Campaign, ‘Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow’ is showing early signs of success, with lates decreasing 25.5% and partial absenteeism decreasing by 28% across the whole school from August to October 2025 in comparison with the same period in 2024/’25. However, it is important that as a whole school community, we keep up the momentum.
Please ensure that your daughter arrives on time and attends school for the full day every day. Appointments should take place on Wednesday afternoons or outside of school time except in the case of emergencies. Please submit any notes for the attention of your daughter’s Year Head before 8.30am every day, collecting students without prior notice disrupts teaching and learning.
Please note that a new support page has been developed in collaboration with key stakeholders and is available for parents and schools at www.gov.ie/schoolattendance with helpful guidance on many issues affecting school attendance. The below video has been developed by Tusla to support parents in ensuring their child’s full attendance at school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAQ3sffKy6U
Should you wish to discuss your daughter’s attendance, please contact her Year Head via admin@olschool.ie
Kind regards,
Gráinne Byrne
Principal
