When do I have to start school?

At the age of 6 a child has to start school. You can be enrolled and start school under the age of 6 if the Minister of Education agrees [Education Regulations 1997 R 57].

Between the ages of 6 to 15 you can be enrolled at a correspondence school depending on your age and how far you live from the nearest Government primary/secondary school [Education Regulations 1997 R 58].

Do I have to go to school?

Between the ages of 6 to 15 you must attend school. It is an offence under the Education Act not to go to school without good reason (e.g. you are sick or for other reasons that have been officially approved). Your parents can get into trouble if they do not send you to school [Education Act 1972 s 76].

What can happen if I do not go to school?

This is called truancy. Authorised officers, such as officers from the Police or Families SA, are authorised to take all practicable action to ensure children of school age (6 to 15) attend school. If you are in a public place during school hours an officer can ask for your name and address, age and the reason why you are not at school. If you do not have a proper reason for not being at school the police can take you to a person in authority at your school or take you home to your parent or guardian [Education Act 1972 s 80].

Do I have to attend all lessons?

Generally, yes you do if you attend a school, but your parents can request that you do not attend religious education [Education Act 1972 s 102(2)].

Your parents can also request that you do not attend sex education lessons [Education Regulations 1997 R 110].

Do I have to do homework?

Schools have the authority to set you homework. The policy of the Education Department is that homework be suitable for your age and ability [Education Regulations 1997 R 64].

Do I have to wear a school uniform?

There is no law or regulation about school uniforms. Strictly speaking, neither the Principal nor the school council can insist you wear a school uniform against your parents’ wishes.

Schools work out their own rules about uniforms, and this is a matter that can be resolved by discussion — there is no law about it.

[Administrative Instructions and Guidelines - Section 3]

Can a teacher give me detention?

The policy of the Education Department is that a teacher may detain you, for a good reason, during the lunch break or after school. If at lunchtime, the detention must not be for more than half the lunch break. If after school, the detention must not be so long that it makes you miss your normal bus or train. You should not be kept so long that your parents become anxious about you. Generally the whole class should only be on detention in special circumstances [Education Regulations 1997 R 39(3)].

Can a school suspend, exclude or expel me?

Yes. The head teacher of a school can suspend, exclude or expel you if you threaten or are violent at school or threaten the safety of students or staff. This includes:

The decision to suspend, exclude or expel will depend on the severity and frequency of your misbehaviour, how you have behaved in the past and your response to previous requests [Education Regulations 1997 R 44].

Suspension

This means that you will be required to be absent from normal classes and activities. There are two types of suspension. In the case of internal suspension, you are supervised somewhere else in the school (away from your class). External suspension means that you are not permitted to be on school grounds for a particular period of time. Normally this is not greater than one week. Whatever is decided, your parents must be notified and consulted [Education Regulations 1997 R 40].

Exclusion

The head teacher of a school can exclude you from attendance at the school. During a period of exclusion you must, at the direction of an education officer, continue your education. It is an offence if you fail to comply with the directions given [Education Regulations 1997 R 41].

Expulsion

You can be expelled for behaviour for which you have previously been suspended. Your parents must be told about such a step.

There are two types of expulsion:

1. From a particular school by the head teacher [Education Regulations 1997 R 42].

2. From all schools and other educational facilities by the Director General of the Education Department, on the recommendation of the head teacher [Education Regulations 1997 R 43].

Can I appeal an expulsion?

Yes. You, or your parents or another adult acting at their or your request can appeal expulsion. There are certain rules, that apply to you such as when and how you need to appeal and your parents should carefully read the Education regulations [Education Regulations 1997 R 46].

When can I leave school?

You can leave school at age 15. The Minister of Education may give you an exemption — that is you are allowed to leave school if you are younger than 15 in special circumstances. Your parents have to write to the Minister of Education if you want an exemption [Education Act 1972 s 81A].

Can I have a job when I am at school?

Yes, you can as long as it is not during school hours and does not make you too tired for school. It is against the law for anybody, including a parent, to employ a person who is under 15 when they are supposed to be at school [Education Act 1972 s 78(1)].

You cannot work in any job that might interfere with your schooling without the permission of the minister of Education [Education Act 1972 s 81A(1)].

Can my parents get any financial help if I stay at school?

Check with Centrelink. The following is a list of Centrelink numbers to contact or you can visit your local Centrelink office.

Family Assistance Office 13 6150

Youth and Student Services 13 2490

ABSTUDY 13 2317

Assistance for Isolated Children 13 2318

Centrelink also has a website which provides information on payments and services they provide: http://www.centrelink.gov.au/