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Koraunui School

Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai

Kōraunui School Attendance Strategy

Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai – Nurture the seed and it will thrive

Regular school attendance is vital for the success and wellbeing of our tamariki. Attending school every day supports our tamariki to build strong foundations for their learning and social development. Regular attendance also promotes achievement success as tamariki are able to consistently build on their learning.

Our government has set a national target of 80% of students attending school at least 90% of the time. This means that tamariki should be absent for no more than one day a fortnight to ensure that they can have continued success at school.

At Kōraunui School we prioritise regular attendance to support learning, achievement and building positive relationships that create a sense of belonging at school. Our processes align with the Ministry of Education STAR (Stepped Attendance Response).

Below are the systems in place to support this.

  • We consistently communicate the links between attendance, achievement and building positive relationships and belonging. We do this by mainly newsletter, School Facebook posts and face to face with parents and whānau.

  • We have clear expectations for attendance and respond early when we identify patterns of non-attendance. This allows us to help prevent lack of attendance becoming an issue for tamariki and whānau.

  • We have a stepped approach to managing attendance, with defined escalation thresholds based on days absent per term. This follows the Ministry of Education guidelines for attendance.

  • We have a clear process for accessing further support when needed.

  • We have a plan that clarifies roles and responsibilities for our whānau and school. We share this with our staff, school board, whānau and seek feedback regularly.

    Review Process

  • Our STAR will be reviewed once a year.

  • Data and review from the School Leadership Team will be shared once a year with our whānau and students, and feedback will be sought on its implementation and effectiveness.

  • Our School Leadership Team will be responsible for ensuring this review happens.

  • The review will cover consultation with the School Leadership Team, Staff, School Board, Whānau at one of our regular whānau hui and students.

  • The School Leadership Team will review the strategy and implementation process and review the effectiveness of the overall strategy.

  • Effectiveness will be measured by an increased % of regular attendance from the previous term and year. Also, the continuing decline of students (%) with irregular and unjustified attendance over the term. We will also see fewer students being referred to our Awhi Attendance Officer.

  • Data will come from our Everyday Matters - Attendance Termly Report and our SMS eTap data.

  • Changes, if necessary, will be implemented upon completion of the yearly review or if there are voiced concerns around the implementation of STAR by school leadership, school board, staff, attendance team or whānau. In the latter instance, the review will be completed earlier.

Kōraunui School Stepped Attendance Response Activities

Below is our stepped attendance response for responding to individual student absence.

Good Attendance

Worrying Attendance

Concerning Attendance

Very Concerning Attendance

Less than 5 days absence in a school term

Up to 10 days absence in a term

Up to 15 days absence in a term

15 days or more absence in a term

Whānau

Whānau

Whānau

Whānau

  • Ensure contact details of all parents / whānau are up to date

  • Ensure student attends every day they are able

  • If your child is absent let the school know and explain the reason e.g. sickness.

  • Establish consistent routines and discuss the importance of regular attendance with your tamaiti/child.

  • Follow school attendance management plan and procedures

  • Return student to regular attendance

  • Contact school to discuss reasons for absence and impact on learning

  • Support student to attend school regularly and them with their learning

  • Engage in supports offered

  • Work with the school to identify any issues or concerns and identify solutions.

  • Return student to regular attendance

  • Participate in meetings with school to discuss the reasons for absence and to work with the school on a support plan to address these

  • Implement strategies at home

  • Return student to regular attendance

  • Engage in support plan

  • Participate in regular meetings

  • Engage with additional support that is offered to address barriers to regular attendance

Kura

Kura

Kura

Kura

  • Ensure contact details of all parents / whānau are up to date

  • Track and monitor attendance for all children

  • Communicate with whānau about every absence

  • Provide students with regular updates on their own attendance

  • Report regularly to whānau on attendance of tamariki

  • Contact parents to discuss reasons for absence and impact on learning. Teachers to attempt to contact parents as well as the office staff.

  • Work with whanau to understand the reason for absence and reinforce attendance expectations.

  • Use in-school resources as appropriate to remove barriers, e.g.: counsellor, Attendance

Service, Public Health Nurse …

  • Contact parents to escalate concerns

  • Hold meeting to discuss reasons for absence and to work with whanau on a support plan

  • Develop and implement a support plan tailored to the reasons and circumstances

  • Request support from Attendance Service or other agencies as needed

  • Contact parents to inform of

    escalated response. This may include contacting the Ministry of Education or legal action.

  • Request support from Attendance Service or other agencies as needed

  • Participate in multi-agency response

  • Maintain implementation of plan

  • Consideration of legal action if support is declined without a valid reason.

Developed February 2026. To be reviewed in February 2027.

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