NAG 6: LEGISLATION

TRENTHAM SCHOOL STATEMENT OF INTENT

NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS

Reviewed by Management – August 2020

Reviewed by Board – August 2020

Ratified by BOT – August 2020

Next review date – August 2023

PURPOSES

1. To ensure that the interests of the child are always put first.

2. To ensure that the school acts to uphold any court decisions of which it has been made aware, until either the decision is revoked or the child concerned leaves Trentham School.

3. To ensure that the school does not take sides and does not become involved in the personal relationship between custodial and non-custodial parents.

4. To recognise that subject to any court orders:

1. a non-custodial parent has the right to receive information about their child’s learning and to participate in their child’s education

2. the school has an obligation to forward information about student progress and attainment to both parents.

GUIDELINES

1. Any custodial and guardianship issues brought to the attention of the school must be made known to the child’s teacher.

2. Court orders will be upheld on receipt of documented proof, and a copy of any such court order must be held at the school. If the court order is subsequently revoked, documented proof must be provided before the school can cease upholding the order.

3. In the case of court decreed non-contact, the custodial parent is required to provide the school with a photograph or detailed description of the person(s) concerned.

4. When a non-contact order is in place and the custodial parent is concerned that contact may be attempted at school, they must make the school aware of their concerns.
   

5. In the event of a non-custodial parent arriving at school, when there is a protection order or order for supervised contact, the custodial parent will be contacted by the office to establish if access should still be denied.

• The non-custodial parent will be asked to leave.

• If a child is removed by a non-custodial parent, the police and custodial parent will be notified immediately.

• Access to the child will only be granted upon receipt of adequate documentation, as outlined in 2 above.

6. School newsletters and other general information are public documents. Arrangements can be made for non-custodial parents to receive copies of such information.

7. Arrangements can be made for copies of school reports to be made available to the non-custodial parent subject to any court order.

8. Arrangements must be made for the custodial and non-custodial parents to have teacher meetings together subject to any court order.

9. Where both custodial and non-custodial parents offer to assist with a school activity, the parents concerned must agree on which one assists before an offer is accepted.

10. Non-custodial parents wishing to undertake an on-site visit should make arrangements with the custodial parent first and the custodial parent should inform the school if an arrangement has been made. The custodial parent may request that they be informed of any visits that were not arranged through them. A visit will not be permitted where the school has a non-contact court order on file.
    

11. Both custodial and non-custodial parents have the right to vote at Board of Trustee elections and the school has the right to request correct postal details for both parties for this specific purpose.

NOTE:

The term ‘parent’ refers to parents, caregivers and guardians unless otherwise stated

REFERENCES:

Oranga Tamariki Act 1989

Education Act 1989

The Privacy Act 1993