In New Zealand learners are expected to attend school every day the school is open. In 2022, secondary school regular attendance (= 90%+) fell to 37 percent (on average) across the country. This is concerning, because the evidence is clear that regular attendance is really important for learning, wellbeing, and life outcomes. While COVID-19 certainly had an impact on attendance, there is a renewed focus in education to improve attendance rates across the country.

The Ministry of Education has established new targets for school attendance. They have divided attendance rates into four categories.

Regular attendance = 90% +

Irregular attendance = 80-90%

Moderate attendance = 70-80%

Chronic attendance = Below 70%

The 2024 target for schools is to have at least 70% of their students attending 90%+ of the time. They also want to reduce the chronic attendance rate to only 5% of a school’s roll. Currently, we have some more work to do to ensure we reach these targets.

Attendance affects wellbeing 

Going to school is important for learners’ wellbeing. The research shows that more frequent non‐attendance is associated with worse wellbeing outcomes, including schoolwork‐related anxiety, decreased sense of belonging, fewer friendships with peers, exposure to online bullying, and feeling like teachers are being unfair. The relationship between attendance and wellbeing works both ways: poor wellbeing leads to poor attendance, and poor attendance leads to poor wellbeing. (Source - Ministry of Education 2022)

We want to help to reduce any barriers associated with attending school. Please let us know if there are any issues that we can support you with regarding your young person’s attendance. The more we know about any barriers, the more we can proactively try to address these. Feel free to contact the year level dean to discuss any attendance concerns you might have.

Students and their parents can see their attendance rate on the EDGE system.

Please remember to email, phone (471 9727 direct line to Attendance Officer), or use the School App to report any absences. The Attendance Officer is Mrs Jill Grant jg@otagogirls.school.nz

Absences are divided into two categories by the Ministry of Education – Justified or Unjustified, but explained. Justified includes illness, sporting or cultural trips/school field trips/camps, medical appointments, work experience and bereavements. Holidays during term time are classified as explained, but unjustified absences.

If your young person is away for longer than three days, please email a copy of a medical letter from your GP or other health professional to Mrs Grant for our school records. Working together, we hope to ensure as many students as possible attend school regularly. Thank you for your on-going support in this area.