Policy Document Category: Attendance

Eligibility for early exit can only be confirmed once Semester 1, Year 12 results have been released, and all end-of-semester audits are finalised. These checks ensure that each student has genuinely met the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate requirements. Because this verification process cannot be completed until early in Semester 2, eligibility cannot be determined any earlier.

To support this process, students are required to remain enrolled in and attending their classes until at least the beginning of Week 3, Semester 2. This ensures the College has sufficient time to complete all academic checks, confirm certificate eligibility, and prepare accurate graduation documentation for the end of the year.

Process

Intention to Leave
To initiate the early-exit process, the student must submit a written Notice of Intention to Leave to both the Senior Studies Coordinator and the Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning. This communication must be made jointly with a parent or carer and must clearly outline the proposed date of exit as well as the student’s intended post-school pathway (for example, further study, employment, or training).
Meeting

Following the submission of the Notice of Intention to Leave, the College will arrange a meeting involving the student, their parent or carer, the Senior Studies Coordinator, and the Careers Coordinator. The purpose of this meeting is to confirm eligibility for early exit and to ensure all relevant academic, administrative, and post-school considerations are addressed. The meeting will include discussion of the following:

• Eligibility to exit early and confirmation of ACT Senior Secondary Certificate requirements
• Post-school pathways, including career planning and further study options
• End-of-year graduation events and the student’s participation status
• Outstanding or ongoing school fees and associated financial obligations
• School communication protocols once the student has formally exited.

Term 3 Requirements

Students are required to:

• Attend the compulsory Year 12 Retreat held in early Term 3.
• Remain enrolled in, and attend, all scheduled classes for the first two weeks of Semester 2, Year 12.

Although no assessment tasks will be completed during this period, attendance at both the Retreat and scheduled classes are mandatory.

End of Year Events
Students who have met all ACT Senior Secondary Certificate requirements and who remain in good standing with the College are eligible to participate in end-of-Year 12 events.
Students who exit the College at age 17 without completing the Senior Secondary Certificate are not eligible to attend any end-of-Year 12 events.
Eligibility to participate in end-of-year events is also contingent upon students attending the first two weeks of Semester 2 and participating in the compulsory Year 12 Retreat.

Merici College encourages all students to attend all school days and events when they are able and recognises that attendance is a parental responsibility. As such, it the College works with parents to support regular attendance.

It is required that junior students attend from 8:45am – 3:07pm, and that senior students attend from 8:45am-3:26pm. Students are required to attend all scheduled lessons during the school day.

The College has a responsibility to assist parents with the regular attendance of their daughters and to assist parents with their compliance to the national legislation regarding students attending school until age 17. This policy ensures that appropriate documentation is provided to meet BSSS and IB requirements (for senior students).

Please refer to the attached Catholic Education Canberra & Goulburn Attendance Policy.

For more information regarding the Attendance Processes at Merici College, please refer to the document here.

Rationale/Purpose

The Merici College uniform is a distinctive symbol of our collective identity and pride within the Canberra community. It reflects the values and standards of our college and ensures that every student is recognised as an ambassador for Merici. Wearing the uniform correctly promotes respect, responsibility, and unity, while fostering positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging. By maintaining high standards of presentation, students demonstrate commitment to our college spirit and create an environment focused on learning and wellbeing.

The uniform also promotes inclusion and equity by ensuring all students are presented equally, reducing social pressures related to clothing choices, and reinforcing a shared sense of community. This collective approach strengthens belonging and supports a culture where every student feels valued and respected. Additionally, the uniform meets safety requirements and upholds the reputation of Merici College both within and beyond the school grounds.

Every Merici Student is an ambassador for our college and there is an expectation that uniform will be worn in a responsible and respectful manner, to the highest standard of presentation.

Policy

Enrolment at Merici College implies acceptance of and adherence to the following uniform expectations and requirements. It is the policy of Merici College that all students must reasonably adhere to uniform and personal presentation requirements. Guidelines for the College uniform are accessible in the student planner and can be found on the College website.

Merici College values inclusion and equity. While all students are expected to adhere to uniform requirements, adjustments may be made where necessary for medical or accessibility reasons. Such alterations must be supported by appropriate medical documentation and approved by the College.

Procedures

• All students are expected to wear the correct school uniform whilst at school and when travelling to and from school each day.
• Uniform will be checked and monitored each morning in Pastoral Care by the PC Teacher and throughout the day by teachers as a part of the Classroom Mastery process.
• We understand that there may be a situation where a student attends school in incorrect uniform from time to time. In this instance, parents and guardians are asked to provide notification to their daughter’s PC Teacher or House Coordinator, and the student will be given a uniform variance approval.
• Students who are wearing incorrect uniform items without notification from parents, will be asked in the first instance to remove these and rectify the uniform concern.
• Non uniform items such as puffer jackets, hoodies, jewellery etc may be confiscated from the student.
• Should a student continue to wear incorrect uniform, then they may be issued a consequence in line with our behaviour management statement of practice.
•  Consequences for persistent non-adherence to uniform expectations may include lunchtime reflection, playground withdrawal, or an afternoon reflection session. In cases of serious breaches, where student safety may be compromised, students will not be permitted to attend regular classes and will be required to complete independent learning.
• Students who are not in correct uniform will not be permitted to participate in offsite activities, including excursions.

What is not acceptable uniform

• Merici College Sports Hoodies – permitted only for co-curricular sports activities
• Boots or sneaker-style shoes (e.g., Nike Force or other sports brands)
• Excessive makeup or nail polish in non-natural colours (e.g., bright pink, black)
• Non-Merici school bags (e.g., black Nike backpacks, handbags, oversized tote bags, handbags)
• Non-Merici branded puffer jackets (e.g., black or blue in colour)
• Non-natural hair colours (e.g., pink, green, blue, bright red)
• No facial piercings such as nose, eyebrow and lip etc are permitted. Students may wear a clear stud or will be expected to remove whilst at school.
• Elastic bands or hair ties used to alter the fit of dresses
• Skirt length shorter than one palm width above the crease at the back of the knee
• No Visible black or white long-sleeve shirts worn under the school blouse.
• Wearing HPE uniform to school in the mornings.

Please refer to the attached policy for further information.