Student Life
Attendance
The government’s Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) is the support programme that the Ministry of Education is rolling out to help clarify why attendance is so important and what we can do to maximise educational opportunities by having more children with “regular attendance” at school. The Education Review Office (ERO) reports a direct relationship between attendance and school achievement, stating that regular attendance leads to higher academic achievement and that even minor absences can impact learning and long-term outcomes.
The STAR is to help the educational community in New Zealand to set clear expectations and have a regulated, formalised and graduated approach when attendance starts to slip. When students reach certain “absence thresholds” that would take them below the 90% for “regular attendance”, the government has set up a guide to the responses that schools will take. These responses are designed to bring students and their families back into school. We will send formal letters to inform you if absences grow, and we will use resources and systems inside the school to remove barriers to attendance for your child. We may also need to use outside agencies to help you get your child back to regular school attendance.
STAR Attendance Procedure
Consistent with the Ministry of Education’s definition of regular attendance, Darfield High School expects attendance above 90% and percentage attendance will be recorded in students’ fortnightly reports. School engagement reports containing attendance data will be sent weekly. Families are to ensure these are reviewed when received, as they are the first step in our collaboration to support students to succeed.
Our key aim is to work with families to ensure that learners do not fall behind in their learning. Learners are expected to be present, participating and progressing. Both home and school have a role to play in this.
Furthermore, attending school regularly relates directly to our school values:
- Rangatiratanga (Become your best you):
When students attend school regularly, they give themselves the best chance to grow, learn, and reach their full potential. Being present means being part of opportunities: academic, cultural, sporting, and social in order to help them become their best selves. Regular attendance is a key step in personal empowerment and striving for excellence. - Kaitiakitanga (Look after our future):
Turning up to school is also about taking responsibility for our collective future. Just as we care for the environment and school resources, we also need to care for our own learning journeys. Attending school regularly enhances each student’s future opportunities and contributes to a stronger, more sustainable community where everyone has the chance to succeed.
Regular school attendance is important for students to achieve their educational potential. The government’s target is that 80% of students will be regularly attending school by 2030.
Escalation
Response
The following escalation approach reflects the Government’s “Stepped Attendance Response” (STAR) system.
REGULAR ATTENDANCE 0-4 days absent: Your child is regularly attending school, and students will receive positive acknowledgement throughout the term.
IRREGULAR ATTENDANCE 5-10 days absent: whānau will receive an email/letter from your child’s whānau teacher. This is an opportunity to make the whānau teacher and dean aware of any barriers that your child has with attending school. Together you will create a plan to make sure your child can attend school regularly and any barriers to attendance can be addressed positively. The student may not be able to participate in extracurricular and cocurricular activities until the student returns to regular attendance.
MODERATE ATTENDANCE 11-15 days absent: Whānau will receive notification from your child’s dean and/or our School Attendance Support – Navigator/Kaitakawaenga. We will organise a time to discuss the current barriers to regular attendance. Any support/s we can put in place internally and externally of the school will be arranged. Together, we will create a Whānau Action Plan. We will continue to monitor and support your child until they return to regular attendance.
CHRONIC ABSENCE 15+ days absent: You will be asked to attend school and meet with your child’s Deputy Principal in person, alongside your child, to discuss the challenges you are facing as a whānau. Other agencies may be asked to attend this meeting along with a possible referral to our truancy officer via Tupuranga Attendance Services. This service supports students and their families who have not attended school for a while.
