The new national standards came in this year and require public, private and Catholic school principals to assess the merit of mid-term holidays on a case-by-case basis.

If leave is approved, students will be marked as absent. If not, their absence will be marked as unjustifiable.

A Department of Education and Communities spokesman said the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority developed national standards to improve consistency in recording school attendance across Australia.

“It is important students attend school every day they are able,” the spokesman said.

“Research shows a strong link between school attendance and academic performance.

“Under the standards, parent-approved absences such as family events and extended holidays are recorded and reported as absence from school.”

The spokesman said parents could apply for extended leave and principals were well placed to make judgments about the likely benefit, including educational benefit, against the loss of learning time.

Orange Anglican Grammar School principal Len Elliott said the changes would not stop parents taking their children out of school for holidays, but after 15 school days they could be marked as truant.

“In the past I would generally take into account the benefit to the student,” Mr Elliott said.

“If they were going to trek the Great Wall of China I would think that is a good experience.”

He said in such cases he would encourage the student to write a journal or report on the visit and stay in touch with a teacher.

Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School principal Michael Croke said the Catholic education office had similar rules already in place.

“We don’t have children take holidays mid term,” Mr Croke said.

“I think it’s every case on its merits, sometimes there’s a relative overseas or someone gets sick or something and they have to visit, but our parents don’t just take students out of school for holidays, there’s holiday time for that.” 

tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au