unexplained absences

[kass]

Depending on size, schools will have an attendance officer, or it will be up to the admin to chase absences up. A lot of schools use an sms system daily, and then will follow up with 'please explain' letters after a certain number of absences has occurred. If parents respond to these sms/letters with excuses for their kids, absence becomes explained. Theoretically, kids have to attend 80% of all classes to graduate - not sure if the requirement is the same in lower school/primary school, it's probably similar - so most schools should inform parents if their child is at risk of falling below the 80%. If the parent has already explained these absences, this may only happen at the end of term or semester when reports are sent out.
If absences remain unexplained, and the school is unable to get a response from the parents, then follow up will happen externally.

Not sure if that helps at all. I'd be very surprised if she hasn't had a fair bit of contact with the school already over this.

[toomanyshoes]

Depending on size, schools will have an attendance officer, or it will be up to the admin to chase absences up. A lot of schools use an sms system daily, and then will follow up with 'please explain' letters after a certain number of absences has occurred. If parents respond to these sms/letters with excuses for their kids, absence becomes explained. Theoretically, kids have to attend 80% of all classes to graduate - not sure if the requirement is the same in lower school/primary school, it's probably similar - so most schools should inform parents if their child is at risk of falling below the 80%. If the parent has already explained these absences, this may only happen at the end of term or semester when reports are sent out.
If absences remain unexplained, and the school is unable to get a response from the parents, then follow up will happen externally.

Not sure if that helps at all. I'd be very surprised if she hasn't had a fair bit of contact with the school already over this.

They are definitely not there 80% of the time. I would say they are missing from school 40% of the time.

[kass]

It's a tough one. I doubt that you'd get any info about the kids if you rang the school, but you could tell them your concerns. If she's been making what seems like valid excuses for them up to this point that may prompt further investigation. Obviously you live too far away to be a taxi service for her. Maybe there is a school bus service that could be used?

She sounds like hard work. It's awful when parents just don't care.