Posted on: Monday 17 April 2023
Pupils and teachers at Padre Pio Primary School have filmed a video celebrating some of the reasons they love going to school.
Fourteen pupils, as well as staff at the school in Pontypool recorded the social media video as part of Torfaen Council’s #NotInMissOut campaign, which aims to encourage children to go to school regularly.
Year 5 pupil Grace Jenkins, who helped create the video by interviewing children and staff, said: "I love coming to Padre Pio because my teachers are very friendly".
Year 5 pupil Amelia, who was also instrumental in helping create the video, said: "Coming to school means I get to spend lots of time with all my friends."
You can watch the video here.
Headteacher at Padre Pio, Mr Paul Welsh, said: "Regular attendance plays a vital part in enabling children to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered to them. Without it the efforts of the best teachers in the best schools will come to nothing and the education process is undermined.
"Attendance is crucial to the continuity of learning experiences and hence effective learning. It is widely recognised that regular attendance at school is a key factor in raising children’s attainment and for improving their future life opportunities."
School attendance rates in Torfaen fell during the Covid pandemic and the borough now has one of the lowest average attendance rates in Wales
In November, Torfaen Council launched its Not In Miss Out campaign to celebrate the benefits of going to school and to reduce the number of unauthorised absences, which is when a pupil is absent without an explanation or where schools do not consider the reason given an acceptable cause to miss school.
Torfaen Council has updated its attendance policy which re-enforces the authority's commitment to helping schools reduce absenteeism, particularly unauthorised absences.
If a child cannot attend school, parents or carers should report them absent as soon as possible. Parents and carers should also ensure schools have their correct contact details.
If a child is struggling to attend school on a regular basis, parents and carers should speak to their school or contact the Council’s Education Welfare team on 01495 766965.
For information about school attendance in Torfaen, visit the website.