You have seen in the news a focus on attendance rates. Going to school is critical for our children’s futures. The evidence is clear that every day of school matters.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, learners are expected to attend school every day the school is open – yet many don’t. Our attendance rates are falling and are worse than in other comparable countries. In 2022 primary school regular attendance fell to 42 percent. ERO looked at research from Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas, to find out about the difference that attendance makes for children. Even missing just two days a term is linked to not doing as well. They found lots of evidence that regular attendance has a big impact: the more often children attend school, the better they do at school, the happier they are, and the better they are set up for life.
Regular attendance is 9 days out of 10 which is a rate of 90%. This means a student is attending school for 9 days each fortnight.
And so on, 8 days out of 10 = 80%. 7 days out of 10 = 70% etc.
A day here and there adds up to a lot.
Learners who miss a week of school each term will have missed out on a year of schooling by the time they are 16.
I regularly report our attendance data to the Board of Trustees and we discuss initiatives to encourage regular attendance. I am sharing with you some information from a recent ERO report around learner attitudes to attendance and engagement;
Why do children miss school?
We know that children’s and parents’ attitudes, and how children experience school impacts on attendance. We have identified the most important things.
For parents the most important attitudes are:
- how comfortable they are with their child missing school
- how likely they are to keep their child home:
- if their child is being bullied
- if their child is unable to participate in school activities
- for a family or special event
- for mental health reasons.
For your child the most important attitudes are:
- if they think going to school every day is important
- if they see school as helpful for their future.
What happens in school matters as well. For your child the most important things are:
- how hard they find their schoolwork
- if they can participate in activities
- if they like or don’t like the people in their class
- if they like or don’t like their teacher(s)
- if they like or are interested in what they are being taught.
With this in mind, we are always looking for ways to ensure that our programmes meet the needs of our students across the school. That they want to be here!
Make sure that if you as a parent see any issues related to any of these barriers that you communicate this to the school. (Teacher/DP Melanie Morris or myself). We are here to help.
This term we will be sending out attendance data to parents so that you can see how your child is tracking for the year.
Our current 'regular attendance' rate is 48%, meaning just under half the school are attending 90% (or more) of the time.
Below are some things that you can do which help.
- It is your responsibility to get your child to school – if transport is hard for you, let us know. There may be support available in your area.
- Talk to your child about how school is important for their future, and how it is important to go every day. Be positive about school!
- Make sure your child knows that you care if they are going to school.
- Only take your child out of school when there is a really good reason, like if they are sick.
- Have a consistent morning routine, not too rushed.
- Help your child to be prepared for school, like making sure they have things ready for school the night before.