HELP! Question regarding Central TAFE and missed classes

i have some info on the book part go to booko.com i saved lots of $$$$$$$ seriously, im pregnant and will deliver 8 weeks into my course and have a holiday planned lol so kind of wondering the same thing im thinking about justbringing my holiday up 2 weeks into the tafe holidays, im not sure if u have to fully attend but i wud recommened going in to pick up the work for the day if ur baby is sick, that what we did if we were sick just got the work for the day then went home. but u shud ring the coordinator and have a chat with her.

thanks for the info, i don't mind missing it because i am happy to catch up myself i just don't want them to fail me if i miss a week (if possible) after paying for the course! hehe
thanks for the book info...
do you think co-ordinators would know? its so hard to get an answer from anyone, they don't seem to know anything they just keep saying wait until orientation, well i am getting a bit sick of waiting, they really don't make it easy for us mums with babies, its not easy organising childcare let alone finding a childcare centre that has availability!

ha my email sounds like a rant, not at you, thanks for the info

any other information regarding missing class would be very useful!!

Shannon

Firstly, congrats on being accepted at Central - well done - I know it can be quite competitive.

I have just finished Semester 1 (Stage 1) at Challenger at Murdoch. I would assume that TAFE policies are fairly standard - so from what I saw you should be fine to miss a few days of class. If it is like our timetable - you will only be on campus 3 days per week - so hopefully you will only miss 3 days. If you are up front with your lecturers in the beginning I think they will be fine. Also, if you make sure that you hand any assignments in before you go away - they certainly can't fail you or anything. I just wouldn't make a habit of it.

Having said that, you said that you are away in June. That is towards the end of semester and that is when we had our prac - that you CAN'T afford to miss - as you have to do a certain number of hours prac in your Diploma to qualify for your diploma and EN registration. So maybe double check your prac dates at orientation.

In regards to sick kids etc, I was fortunate and didn't need to take anytime off from school for my kids (touch wood) but most students did and it wasn't a problem. You just contact your lecturer to let them know. Our particular TAFE doesn't have an official "you have to attend x number of classes to pass". It goes more on handing all of your assignments in on time and passing all assessments. You will find that the majority of your class are mums and therefore TAFE have to make allowances.

Long and the short - don't stress. Attend as much as you can - because ultimately the more time you miss the more information you miss. I found that some things you were told in class and that was the only time they were mentioned (and not in the text or anything) and then we were tested on them. So it is in your own best interest to be there and concentrating as much as possible. My other suggestion would be to buddy up with one or two students - so that you can take notes for each other if you are away. At least then, hopefully, you will get a bit of info for when you are absent.

I definately found the same thing about getting info before the course started - that nobody would tell you anything until orientation. It was really frustrating - but I must admit I got 99% of my questions answered in orientation... but it is frustrating because you want to be organised. But yes, if you phone and ask to speak to the course co-ordinator he/she could probably answer your questions.

Hope that helps. Just try and relax and enjoy the ride. It has been amazing - I love it - I have waited 20 years to do it and I can't wait to go back on 9th Feb and do my final 2 semesters. Bring it on!

Cheers
Rebecca