Rules and policies are in place to make sure your child remains safe and well at school.
Visit the NSW Department of Education’s policy library for all current operational policies.
Our school uses the department's School Community Charter to ensure all of our communication is collaborative and respectful.
Attendance and absences
Students must attend school regularly so they can achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options.
In NSW, all children from the age of 6 are legally required to attend school or be registered for home schooling through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). All students must complete Year 10, or its equivalent.
Young people below the age of 17 who have completed Year 10 must be:
in school, or registered for home schooling
in approved education or training, such as a traineeship, apprenticeship or TAFE
in full-time paid employment (average 25 hours a week)
in a combination of work, education and/or training (average of 25 hours a week combined).
Students 17 years and over who are enrolled in school must attend school regularly to meet HSC course requirements.
As a parent or carer, you are responsible for ensuring your child attends school every day when they are of compulsory school age. You must explain all absences to the school within 7 days.
For more information about compulsory school attendance, visit:
Students requiring early leave passes
Students requiring an earlier leaver’s pass are required to bring a note to the front office in the morning before school. The note is signed by the DP and taken back to the office. Students are then given a pass out of class at the time for their departure. The school’s attendance officer enters information into Sentral regarding departure times. A parent or guardian must pick up the student at the time of signing out.
School frameworks (school rules)
As well as following the department’s operational policies, we have developed frameworks for our students in line with our school’s values and commitments.
Positive behaviour for learning is a program that is a proactive, team-based framework for creating and sustaining safe and effective schools. Emphasis is placed on prevention of problem behaviour, development of pro-social skills and the use of data-based problem solving for existing behaviour concerns.
At Balmain, we call this "The Balmain Way".
- Respect yourself, others and the community
- Act responsibly
- Participate productively in learning
Code of conduct
Balmain Campus, Sydney Secondary College provides excellent public education based on quality, opportunity and diversity.
As a student at this Campus, you are expected to:
- participate actively in learning
- act responsibly and safely
- contribute positively to our community.
In the classroom, this means:
- arriving on time to class
- bringing the correct books and equipment
- working to the best of your ability
- contributing positively to the lesson
- completing homeworks and assignments on time
- asking for help if needed
- cooperating
- following the teacher's instructions
- being polite
- doing the right thing.