Te Mata School Attendance Plan

Te Mata School Attendance Plan

Our school is committed to maximizing student engagement and achievement. In line with the

government's target for 80% of students to attend school regularly (more than 90% of the time),

this plan outlines how we will partner with whānau to address barriers to attendance, including

planned term-time travel.

Our Attendance Management Plan (found in the link below) sets out Te Mata School’s strategy

to improve regular attendance, detailing processes for tracking, responding to, and coding

absences. Under Ministry of Education guidelines, taking holidays during term time is strongly

discouraged and as such will be coded as an unjustified absence.

Procedures for Notification of holidays during term time

● Prior Notification Required: Families must notify our Principal, via email, and the school

office at least two weeks before any planned overseas holiday. This allows administration

staff to correctly update the student management system (EDGE) in advance.

● Application Form: For extended absences, greater than 5 days, parents/caregivers are

required to complete an Student School Leave Form form to be reviewed by the Principal

at least two weeks prior to travelling (Student School Leave Form)

● Upon the students return to school, attendance will be closely monitored, as these

absences will lower a student’s overall regular attendance rate.

● Teachers are not required to provide individualized learning programmes, digital modules,

or homework packages for students while they are away. Parents are encouraged to have

children read daily and maintain a travel journal.

Daily Attendance Expectations

9am School starts with a whole school Karakia and Waiata on the school deck

9:05am Learning begins in classrooms

Please notify the school before 9:00am if your child is absent (via Skool Loop or our school

website https://www.temataraglan.school.nz/)

Unexplained absences are followed up by 9:30am

All attendance is recorded in our school management system (Edge)

To ensure your child's safety, please note that staff are occupied with preparation before 8:30 am

and are unable to supervise students. We ask that children do not arrive on school grounds prior

to this time.