At Te Mata School we recognise that regular attendance at school is important to ākonga success. Ensuring students attend and engage in learning is a shared responsibility between home and school. The following Attendance Strategy sets out Te Mata School procedures and communication with whānau to support and encourage student attendance throughout the year.

Setting Expectations   (  All whānau/caregivers of current students)      

• Clear communication to parents on attendance expectations on enrolment, at the start of school year, and each term

• Communicate to parents what steps the school will take in the event their child is absent from school

• Communicate good attendance habits to students and parents

• Assess attendance history of new students and share attendance history when students move between schools.

• School Leadership and Board actively minimise disruptions to the school day and week e.g. use callback days, parent teacher meetings held late in the day as possible.

• Support students to continue learning if unable to attend school every day, including using Ministry approved well-being or transitional plans, or health schools where appropriate.

Regular Attendance  (Up to 5 days absence in a Term 90%) Procedures - Refer Te Mata Attendance procedures (SchoolDocs)

• Monitor attendance 

• Communicate to parents about every absence 

• Maintain contact details of parents

• Report regularly to parents on attendance of their child

• Support students getting to school 

• Use school level approaches to promote good social and learning environment 

Irregular Attendance (5 to 10 days absence in a Term  80% attendance) Procedures 

Refer Te Mata Attendance procedures (SchoolDocs)

• Send formal notification and contact parent/guardian to discuss reasons for absence 

• Support students to catch up missed learning where required 

• Use in-school resources as appropriate to remove barriers e.g. counselor, uniform, food, transport

Concerning  Attendance (10 to 15 days absence in a Term - 70% attendance) Procedures 

Refer Te Mata Attendance procedures (SchoolDocs)

• Send escalated formal notification to parents

• Hold meeting to analyse reasons for absence and to collaborate on a support plan

• Use in-school resources as appropriate to remove barriers and request support from Ministry or other agencies as needed

Serious Concern  Attendance (More than  15 days absence in a Term > 70% attendance) Procedures 

Refer Te Mata Attendance procedures (SchoolDocs)

• Send warning notice and make contact to arrange meeting with parents

• Escalate and participate in multi-agency response

• Implement and monitor improvement plan

• Refer to the Ministry to consider action, including prosecution, when supports are offered and not taken up

• When criteria is met, follow prescribed processes to unenrol the student