Purpose

 

This Attendance Management Plan sets out Whakatāne Intermediate’s approach to identifying and responding to student absences. The plan supports improved engagement, equity, and wellbeing for all students, and aligns with the Ministry of Education’s Stepped Attendance Response (STAR).

 

To ensure that all students at Whakatane Intermediate attend regularly, supporting their right to access education and reach their full potential. Our goal aligns with the government’s national target: 80% of students attend more than 90% of the time. This plan outlines proactive and responsive strategies to improve and sustain student attendance.

 

Current Attendance Monitoring Processes

 

●      Daily Monitoring (AM & PM): Teachers mark attendance in eTAP by 9:00am and again in the       afternoon by 1:30pm .

●      Late arrivals sign in via electronic device at reception. (auto-synced to eTAP).

●      Attendance Officer - Julie, checks 'Status Today' and unexplained absences.

●      Text sent to caregivers for any unexplained absences: "Notification that ~PUPILNAME is               marked absent without explanation today. Please contact the school as soon as possible to         inform us of the reasons for ~PUPILNAME’s absence.

●      All communications and codes are recorded in eTAP.

 

1. Clear Expectations for Attendance

●      Attendance expectation: Students are expected to attend school every day they are able.

●      Attendance expectations will be communicated:

●      At enrolment interviews

●      Throughout the term at class, syndicate and whole school level

●      Through school newsletters, website, and social media updates

●      Through whānau engagement and communication when required

2. Roles and Responsibilities

Parents/Guardians

●      Ensure students attend school daily unless sick or otherwise justified.

●      Reinforce positive attendance habits.

●      Maintain communication with the school regarding any absence.

●      Engage in school attendance processes and support when attendance issues arise.

School

●      Communicate clearly and regularly about attendance expectations and processes.

●      Monitor and record attendance daily.

●      Notify parents of all absences promptly (via text initially)

●      Provide support for students to overcome barriers to attendance

●      Report attendance reports to the Board each term.

●      Use a tiered response system aligned with the STAR framework.

Ministry of Education

●      Monitor attendance data and school compliance with attendance policies.

●      Support schools with tools, data analysis, and attendance services.

●      Facilitate multi-agency responses for chronic attendance issues.

●      Provide direct support for complex cases, including legal action if necessary.

Stepped Attendance Response (STAR)

 

Step 1: Good Attendance (Less than 5 days absence per term)

●      Monitor attendance as part of normal practice.

●      Celebrate and acknowledge good attendance through school acknowledgement at weekly         assemblies.

●      Communicate with whānau about the importance of attendance.

 

Step 2: Worrying Attendance (Up to 10 days absence per term)

●      Contact parents to discuss reasons for absence.

●      Support students to improve their attendance

●      Offer in-school resources to help address barriers

●      Formal notification if concerning patterns emerge.

●      Record interventions and monitor attendance closely.

Step 3: Concerning Attendance (Up to 15 days absence per term)

●      Formal notification to parents by email and phone call.

●      Whānau hui to discuss reasons for absences.

●      Collaboratively develop a plan tailored to the student and whānau situation.

●      Engage external agencies as appropriate - Attendance Services, Oranga Tamariki, Public           Health Nurse etc.

●      Review and monitor progress regularly. This will be discussed at fortnightly attendance hui           with the attendance team.

Step 4: Serious Concern (15+ days absence per term)

●      Urgent parent meeting.

●      Initiate multi-agency response.

●      Implement and monitor an Intensive Attendance Plan.

●      Consider Ministry-led support or legal action if all interventions are unsuccessful and support     is refused.

●      Remove from the school roll if all options have been unsuccessful.

Day-to-Day Operations to Support Attendance

●      Review attendance records with the attendance intervention team.

●      Share attendance trends with staff members to identify patterns and implement strategies.

●      Ensure a welcoming and safe school environment.

●      Actively minimise disruptions

Community and Agency Collaboration

●      Work with Attendance Services, Public Health, Oranga Tamariki, RTLB, and other agencies as     needed.

●      Participate in local attendance hui with other schools in our Kahui Ako and the Ministry.

●      Share strategies and resources with whānau and community partners.

 Communication and Reporting

●      Attendance expectations and data will be reported to the Board each term.

●      Regular updates in newsletters and via the school website to inform the wider community.

●      Individual attendance reports for each student are shared with parents twice yearly at Parent       Interviews.

Review and Improvement

●      Annual review of attendance plan and data trends.

●      Gather feedback from staff, whānau, and students to improve practices.

●      Align with SchoolDocs Attendance Policy and update as required.

Key Targets:

●      80% of students attend over 90% of the time.

●      Reduction in students at "concerning" and "serious concern" levels.

●      Increased whānau engagement and partnership in attendance solutions

Review and Publication

 

This plan will be reviewed annually by SLT and the board, or earlier if required by changes to Ministry regulations.

 

The plan will be published on the school website by Term 1, 2026.