We understand that families may sometimes choose to take holidays during the school term. Under the Ministry of Education’s criteria, holidays taken during term time are classified as unjustified absences, except in special or exceptional circumstances.

While family time is valuable, regular school attendance is essential for your child’s learning, progress, and social connections. Extended absences can disrupt learning and make it harder for students to keep pace with their peers.

What to Do if You Are Planning a Term Time Holiday

If you are planning to take your child out of school for a holiday during the term:

• Please notify the school in advance, including the dates your child will be away.  If it is more than 4 days, you must have permission from the Principal.

• Be aware that this will be recorded as an unjustified absence, in line with Ministry of Education guidelines, and on your return, you will receive an Attendance letter.

• Please note that teachers will not be providing specific learning plans or work for individual students during family holidays.
  
  

Supporting Learning While Away

If you would like to support your child’s learning while you are away, we recommend the following:

• Purchase Workbooks: Paper Plus and Whitcoulls stock a range of English and Maths workbooks that align with New Zealand curriculum levels. These are a great option for structured practice.

• Daily Reading: Encourage daily reading, together or independently.

• Writing Journal: Keep a travel diary or journal of experiences, reflections, or interesting facts from your trip.

• Maths Practice: Practice number knowledge and problem solving using workbooks or online tools.

• Research Projects: Explore topics connected to the places you are visiting.

• Cultural Learning: Engage with local history, geography, and cultural experiences during your travels.

• Talking with your children: Continue to build your child's vocabulary. A fun holiday idea with kids is to go on a nature scavenger hunt, encouraging them to describe what they see, hear, and feel.  

Online Resources:

• nzmaths.co.nz — fun maths activities and games

• storyberries.com — free online stories

• khanacademy.org — free lessons in maths, science, and more

• sciencekids.co.nz — fun science activities and facts

• Epic - Digital Reading Platform

NB: The PDF attachment has live links to the relevant websites.