Attendance

PT ENGLAND SCHOOL POLICY

ATTENDANCE

INTRO:

Full attendance at school is a pre-requisite for the successful education of children. It is the role of the Board of Trustees to ensure attendance is adequate so that this is achieved.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To ensure both parent and school are aware of where the child is during school hours.

2. To work steadily towards achieving the national goal of "80% of the children attending 90% of the time

2. To identify children who have irregular attendance patterns.

3 .To monitor children's daily attendance, twice a day.

4. To ensure that, where attendance is a concern, the parent/caregiver  is made aware of the situation promptly and we are working together to improve it.

5. To use all available means to ensure attendance irregularities are rectified.

6. To follow the "STAR" Guidelines set by the crown to improve attendance and track toward achieving the Crown Goals of  "80% of the children 90% of the time"

7. When necessary, under the STAR Guidelines, to refer matters to the appropriate agency having taken all necessary steps.

GUIDELINES:

Y1 - Y6 learners are expected to be in attendance daily by 8.50am, Y7 - Y8 Learners by 8:30 a.m.

Identification of Absences

• Twice daily electronic roll checks are completed by teachers before 9:15 am and 1:45 pm.

• Unexplained absences are followed up with a text or phone call home the same day.

• Patterns of irregular attendance are flagged weekly through SMS reporting by the Student Support person

• Teachers fill out Attendance Support Spreadsheet

Response Process

• Initial concern (after 3 - 5 days): Teacher, Office staff and student support person contact whānau to understand context.

• Ongoing concern (after 5–10 days): Attendance Student Support person or SMTmeet with  whānau to develop a support plan. Home visit occurs during this phase, Offer to meet with SMT made to whānau

• Chronic absence (10+ days): Referral to Attendance Service and/or social support agencies as appropriate.

• Response records kept in Attendance Support Spreadsheet

Support Strategies

• Connection with pastoral and learning support teams & SWiS Worker

• Individualised attendance improvement plans where appropriate.

• Engagement with external support providers where appropriate

• Culturally responsive approaches to whānau engagement

• Positive reinforcement through incentives such as: Certificates or shout-outs in assemblies for improved or consistent attendance

• Twice termly prize draws for students with 100% attendance

Review and Monitoring

• Reviewed annually by the board or in accordance with any updated regulations

• Attendance data is monitored daily

• Records of action and response are kept in SMS

• Feedback gathered from staff, students, and whānau to inform updates

Formulated: 1990

Reviewed:1993

1997

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2026