​1. Introduction

The Opoutere Attendance Guidelines and Procedures are designed to ensure that all students attend school regularly, reinforcing the importance of good attendance habits and providing clear steps for managing and responding to absences. These guidelines align with the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR), which sets expectations for schools, students, parents/guardians, and the Ministry of Education to work together in ensuring students are attending school regularly.

 

2. Purpose

The purpose of these guidelines is to:

• Establish clear expectations for attendance.

• Outline procedures for responding to absences.

• Provide strategies for supporting students who are struggling with regular attendance.

• Create a framework for communication and intervention to prevent prolonged absences.

 

3. Attendance Categories and Thresholds

The STAR response model categorizes absences based on the number of days a student is absent from school within a term. The following attendance thresholds guide our response:

• Less than 5 days absence in a school term (Good)

• Up to 10 days absence in a school term (Worrying)

• Up to 15 days absence in a school term (Concerning)

• 15 or more days absence in a school term (Serious Concern)

Each category has a specific procedure for monitoring, communication, and intervention.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

 

Parents/Guardians

Parents and guardians play a crucial role in ensuring their child attends school regularly. Their responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the student attends every day they are able.

• Reinforcing good attendance habits at home.

• Supporting other parents in promoting good attendance.

• Maintaining open communication with the school regarding any absences.

• Following the school’s attendance management plan and associated policies.

 

Schools

The school is responsible for creating and maintaining an environment that supports good attendance. Key responsibilities include:

• Clearly communicating attendance expectations during enrolment, at the start of each school year, and at the beginning of every term.

• Informing parents about the steps the school will take if their child is absent.

• Monitoring student attendance regularly.

• Providing students with feedback on their attendance and reporting to parents.

• Supporting students to overcome barriers to attending school, such as providing access to school resources like counselors or second-hand uniform shops.

• Reporting attendance data and trends to the Ministry of Education.

 

Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education monitors and supports school attendance efforts at a regional and national level. Their role includes:

• Ensuring schools have an updated attendance policy and management plan on their website.

• Analyzing aggregate attendance data to identify trends and challenges.

• Supporting schools in policy development and providing guidance on interventions.

• Offering resources and services to assist schools in managing attendance issues.

 

Stepped Attendance Response (STAR)

The STAR model is a structured approach to responding to absenteeism. The response is designed to escalate progressively based on the number of days a student is absent and the reasons for the absence.

 

Less than 5 Days Absence

• Parents/Guardians: Ensure the child returns to regular attendance.

• Schools: Monitor attendance and notify parents of any absences.

• Ministry of Education: No direct action required at this level unless attendance patterns suggest a concern.

 

5 to 10 Days Absence

• Parents/Guardians: Communicate with the school about reasons for absences and support the child in catching up on missed work.

• Schools: Send formal notification to parents and discuss the reasons for the absence. Provide support to the student in catching up with missed learning.

• Ministry of Education: Provide support to the school and monitor the absence trends.

 

10 to 15 Days Absence

• Parents/Guardians: Return the student to regular attendance and engage in any support offered by the school.

• Schools: Send escalated formal notifications and request a meeting with the parents to discuss the situation. Develop a tailored plan to address the reasons for the absences.

• Ministry of Education: Offer additional support to the school, facilitate multi-agency responses, and monitor the effectiveness of the intervention plans.

 

15 or More Days Absence

• Parents/Guardians: Engage in regular meetings with the school, participate in the improvement plan, and take active steps to support regular attendance.

• Schools: Send a warning notice, arrange meetings, and escalate to a multi-agency response if necessary. If appropriate, initiate a school-led or Ministry-led prosecution process.

• Ministry of Education: Provide direct support, coordinate regional responses, and offer resources for resolving the situation. Prosecution may be considered if necessary.

 

Procedure for Responding to Absences

The following steps outline how the school, parents/guardians, and the Ministry of Education will collaborate to address attendance issues:

 

Step 1: Monitoring Attendance

• Schools will regularly monitor student attendance and identify patterns of absenteeism.

• Parents will be notified of any unexplained or frequent absences.

 

Step 2: Communication and Intervention

• For students with up to 10 days absence, schools will send formal notifications and engage in discussions with parents about the reasons for the absence.

• For students with more than 10 days of absence, the school will request a meeting with the parents to develop a tailored support plan. The school may also use additional resources such as counseling or educational support services.

 

Step 3: Escalation and Support

• If attendance does not improve, schools will escalate the issue, involving the Ministry of Education and potentially other support agencies.

• At this stage, a multi-agency response may be initiated, and the school will monitor the implementation of the improvement plan.

 

Step 4: Prosecution and Enrolment Actions

• In cases where all support options have been exhausted and the student continues to be absent, the school may initiate a prosecution process. This may involve either a school-led or Ministry-led prosecution.

• If a student is not returning to school, the school may unenroll the student and work with the Ministry of Education to facilitate re-enrolment or alternative educational pathways.

 

Step 5: Support Services

The school will provide various resources and services to support students and families in addressing attendance issues. These may include:

• Counseling and wellbeing services.

• Access to second-hand uniforms and other school-related resources.

• Tailored support plans for students with chronic health conditions or other specific needs.

 

Step 6: Conclusion

Ensuring regular school attendance is essential for student success. The Opoutere Attendance Guidelines and Procedures provide a framework for responding to absences, promoting good attendance habits, and supporting students and families in overcoming barriers to regular school attendance. The collaboration between parents, schools, and the Ministry of Education is key to achieving a positive outcome for all students.

 

For any further queries or support regarding attendance, please contact the school office.