For all absences it is the student's responsibility to: catch up on work missed; make arrangements for later sittings of missed assessments, where they are eligible; and to find out any assessment deadlines advised during the period of absence.
School related absences
If students are going away from school on a school-related trip or approved work experience it is their responsibility to ensure that any assignments due are completed and delivered by the due date or by a time pre-arranged before they depart on their trip/activity. If it is a short-term absence (i.e. 1 to 3 days) the student should not expect an extension, particularly if plenty of time has been offered for the assignment. A later sitting of any in-class NCEA assessments may be offered, where appropriate, students should discuss and make any necessary arrangements with the Assessment Office.
Non-school related absences
Prior notification of non-school related absences is to be presented to the Assessment Office or the student's Divisional Principal / Senior Dean in the form of an email or note from home. If a student is competing in a National or Regional sports competition, confirmation of their selection in the form of a letter from the Coach or Organisation must be provided to their Dean as soon as it is known. Students will be emailed confirmation of whether the absence qualifies for a later sitting of missed assessments or if these will be recorded as Not Achieved. Students should be aware that assessment dates are subject to change and leave from school is at the student’s own risk of missing assessments.
Bereavement, certain medical reasons, and selection for national or regional sports/cultural representation are examples of justified absences where a student is likely to be eligible for a later sitting of missed assessments. Students can make arrangements directly with the Assessment Office but should be aware that later sittings may not always be possible regardless of the reason for absence. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that any assignments due are completed and delivered by the due date or by a time pre-arranged. If it is a short-term absence (i.e. 1-3 days) the student should not expect an extension, particularly if plenty of time has been offered for the assignment.
Unexpected absences
Where students are unwell, an email from the caregiver is required to be sent to the Assessment Office acknowledging the absence and noting the NCEA assessment which will be missed due to the absence. If a student is to be away for more than 2 days, a medical certificate must be provided indicating they are not able to attend the NCEA assessments on that day or over a specific period of time. If they have experienced exceptional circumstances, a note or an email from home should be provided explaining the circumstance that has prevented them from carrying out the assessment.
On receipt of a medical certificate or where an exceptional circumstance qualifies as a justified absence, the student will be eligible for a later sitting of missed assessments, where possible. Students are responsible for handing their medical certificate or formal notification to the Assessment Office as soon as possible but no later than 2 working days upon returning to school.
Where a medical certificate is not available or an exceptional circumstance does not qualify as a justified absence, an extension request cannot be considered. A Not Achieved will be recorded for assessment tasks missed. Please note that general medical, physiotherapy or dental/orthodontic check-ups that are considered non-urgent should be scheduled outside of school hours to avoid occurring during an assessment which may be deemed as an unjustified absence causing later sittings of missed assessments to not be available.
Absent from external examinations
Please contact the Qualifications and Assessment Manager as soon as possible.