Please be aware that you may be contacted by the school regarding your child’s attendance even if you have already followed the correct process or notified us in advance. This is a requirement under the Ministry of Education’s Stepped Attendance Response, which all schools must follow. We appreciate your understanding and support.

Under the Education and Training Act, it is a legal requirement that students attend school whenever it is open. Regular attendance is one of the strongest indicators of student success. Even a small number of absences quickly adds up, for example, 10 days absent in a term means a student is present only 80% of the time. Attendance is both a legal requirement and a foundation for student progress and wellbeing.

To support this, all schools must follow the Stepped Attendance Response. This ensures absences are tracked consistently, whānau are kept informed, and clear steps are taken if attendance becomes a concern. The national goal is that by 2030, 80% of students will attend more than 90% of the time.

You can see your student's attendance live at any time via the SchoolBridge apparrow_outward and through weekly attendance updates shared via Kamar.

Absence stages are counted within each school term. They reset at the beginning of every new term.

Less than 5 days absence: Day-to-day attendance processes are followed, with regular communication including school newsletters and weekly attendance updates via Kamar.

• 5 days absent: A formal letter (Letter 1) will notify whānau that this stage has been reached.
  
  
• 10 days absent: A follow-up letter (Letter 2) will invite whānau and the student to complete a short attendance follow-up form to share reasons for absence and support needs. A staff member may also follow up with a phone call where appropriate.
  
  
• 15 days absent: A formal letter (Letter 3) will notify whānau and require a meeting with the student, whānau, and Dean to plan support for improved attendance. An attendance support plan will be agreed, recorded in Kamar, and external support agencies may be involved if needed.
  
  
• 20 days absent: A formal letter (Letter 4) will notify whānau and require an escalated meeting with a Senior Leader to address ongoing attendance concerns. Further support, including external agencies, may be engaged.

We are committed to supporting every learner to attend, engage, and thrive. If you are finding it difficult to get your child to school, please reach out so we can work together.

Here are some useful links:

• Stepped attendance response - Ministry of Education Website
  
  
• Knowing if your child is well enough to go to school - guidance for parents and caregivers - Health New Zealand website