This is an article from the latest parent newsletter. It may be useful to discuss with your ako classes - especially in the context of our school values and the impact on others. Being absent, late to school and late to class can have a significant impact upon a student’s chance of success at school.
The more learning a student misses, the more they miss out on opportunities to make connections with their peers and teachers. This can have a huge impact not only on academic success, but engagement and wellbeing too.
Avonside Girls' High School starts our formal learning time at 8.30am each morning (8.45am on Thursdays). Students need to be in class at this time and ready to learn. Being late means students miss a vital part of the lesson - often where teachers are reviewing knowledge, explaining content and giving instructions for the work that lesson.
Lateness also does not align with our school values. Kia manawanui especially focuses on perseverance and determination; the ability to face challenges and difficulties and keep going through. Kia Manaaki focuses on caring for others and creating a place they feel they belong. Lateness does impact on others: the teacher, who has to stop working with other students to update late students, and other students who miss time with the teacher.
Students who are late to school must sign in at Student Services. Their attendance will then be marked as late. This may not be automatic, as this lateness places a demand on the teacher to change attendance. Teachers should be focused on the learning of their students, and updating attendance for late students places additional demands on their time. However, if students are over half the period late, their attendance remains recorded as truant.
Pouako (form teachers) will monitor student lateness and if there are issues of lateness developing, they will contact whanau and issue community service for students.
If you have concerns about your young person's attendance, please contact their pouako in the first instance.