Lessons are Super!

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A SUPERHERO swooped into school last week to remind children about the importance of being a top attender.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's Attendance and Wellbeing Service launched the new mascot Super Attender to champion the cause of good school attendance.

And he accompanied staff to a school assembly at Trallwng Infants School, Pontypridd, to spread the message to pupils about how important it is not to miss out on lessons and to be punctual at all times.

Tackling school attendance is part of a plan to improve schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The council says attendance during the lead up to the Christmas break can deteriorate because parents and pupils see it as a chance to "wind down".

It has now launched a new advertising campaign to remind both parents and pupils that being in the classroom until the end of term is essential.

Eudine Hanagan, the council's cabinet member for education, said: "There is a direct link between poor attendance and punctuality and educational performance, the effects of which can last a lifetime.

"The profound effect of truancy alone has a major impact on the standard of education received by a child."

All registered pupils are expected to attend school for a total of 11 years but the average pupil in Rhondda Cynon Taf only attends for 10 years.

Council figures revealed that 90% attendance means missing a month of school - the equivalent to missing 118 lessons.

But under the new attendance scheme, should a pupil's attendance fall below 85% schools are expected to make a referral to the Attendance and Wellbeing Service.

In turn the service will support families in times of difficulty but also enforce legal proceedings if considered appropriate.

CAPTION(S):

Super Attender - Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's new Attendance and Wellbeing Service mascot - meets pupils at Trallwng Infants, Pontypridd, who have achieved 100% attendance this term

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Title Annotation:	Features
Publication:	South Wales Echo (Cardiff, Wales)
Date:	Dec 17, 2012
Words:	333
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