Travelling to and from school, including part-day leave, are personal arrangements and do not need school permission. However, school authorisation is required in the following cases:

If a student would like to apply for flexible attendance. This includes
Scheduled late arrival, before the first timetabled school lesson
Early-sign out: If the last period is a study period students may apply for flexible attendance. Please note that students cannot between periods.
Travel to/from Tafe courses or to approved courses in other schools
Other occasions authorised by Deputy Principal

At Wadalba Community School, we recognise that Senior Students (Years 11 and 12) are developing important skills in independence, time management, and self-directed learning. To support this, Flexible Attendance arrangements are available for students who have timetabled study periods.

When Flexible Attendance Applies

Flexible Attendance applies only to Senior Students who have a study period before or after their first timetabled class.
This usually means:

Period 1 off: Students may arrive later and check in at the Front Office before their first class.
Period 5 off: Students may sign out at the Front Office at the start of lunch (1:00 pm) and leave for the day.

Daily Attendance Requirements

All Senior Students must attend Roll Call every morning unless they have approved flexible attendance.
Students with a Period 0 or Period 1 timetabled class must be on site and in Roll Call at the usual time.
Some students will have a Period 0 lesson, which begins at 7:30 am. Attendance at this period is compulsory if this is timetabled.
If a student has an extension lesson after school, this will commence at 2:30 pm. Students cannot leave the school grounds and then return prior to this lesson starting

Study Period Options

When students have a study period during the day, they are encouraged to make productive use of this time. The Senior Study Centre, located in the Library, is available to students who need to access this space to study. Students can only access this space at recess and lunch, and must be in this space during scheduled study periods. Students are required to sign in / out at the Kiosk when entering this space.

Revoking Flexible Attendance

Flexible Attendance is a privilege that supports responsible, self-directed learners.

This privilege may be revoked at any time if a student:

Fails to follow school procedures for signing in or out
Displays ongoing behavioural or attendance concerns
Has an attendance rate below 90%
Has outstanding N warnings in any subject

If Flexible Attendance is revoked, the student will be required to remain on school grounds for all timetabled periods until the privilege is reinstated.

Conditions for Travelling in Student Vehicles:

Students wishing to drive to school must have written parental consent and a

valid Wadalba Community School Driver Passenger Pass. Application available on the WCS Website.
1. Students wishing to travel as passengers must have written parental consent from their parent. The parents of the student driving the car must also provide written permission for the passenger.
2. Students must hold a valid driver's licence, follow road rules, and only carry as many passengers as there are seat belts.
3. Students must park legally, in designated public parking spaces. There is to be no parking in private areas. Students cannot park in private areas like Woolworths, Coles, or business centre parking. Students cannot park in the staff carpark on Van Stappen Road.
4. Students must follow school values and behave respectfully when driving.
5. Vehicles must be registered and insured (comprehensive or third-party property).
6. Students should not charge passengers as it may invalidate insurance.
7. The Department of Education is not responsible for loss or damage to vehicles or belongings while parked on school grounds.
It is important to note, that driver and passenger privileges may be revoked if guidelines are not followed. Failure to follow these guidelines may lead to disciplinary action based on WCS Behaviour Management Processes.
Process for applying for a Driver / Passenger Pass with Flexible Attendance
Once received, the application will be reviewed. Notification of the application being upheld / declined will be provided via email.
Once received, please note that it will take 5 working days to process the application. Once finalised, your child will be called to the Front Office to collect the card and sign for receipt.
Please note that your child must be able to show this card on leaving school each day, including at other events where they may choose to drive to / from activities (e.g the swimming or athletics carnivals). If the hard copy pass is lost, or unable to be shown, flexible attendance is revoked and normal absence procedures will apply. It may take up to 5 business days to replace the card.

Driver/Passenger Pass and Flexible Attendance

Wadalba Community School