Important information regarding NCEA  Policies and Procedures (especially self-interest absences) follows...

NCEA policies and procedures

Over Term One Years 11, 12 and 13 students are updated about the policies and procedures which we operate to ensure that our NCEA practices are valid, fair and consistent.  The policy on absence is included below. Please read it. I draw your attention particularly to self-interest holidays in term time and our policy of students forfeiting any internal assessments that occur during an absence in this category. We are now required to inform the Ministry of Education about such absences. 

Absences Fall Into Four Basic Categories:

1. BEYOND STUDENT CONTROL

   In this category students have no control over the circumstances and there is no element of self-interest involved e.g. accident, illness, bereavement. Under these circumstances a student is legitimately absent and, where feasible, the student will be allowed to attempt the assessment or a full reassessment opportunity will be available. This may not always be possible and no estimates of grades can be given. For short-term absences of this nature parents should verify this by a letter to the Form Tutor. For long-term absences independent documentation should be supplied to the House Tutor. If an assessment task is missed then independent documentation (i.e. medical certificate, etc) must be supplied.

2. SCHOOL AUTHORISED

   This category involves absence for authorised out of class activities such as EOTC trips, sporting and cultural fixtures, involving representation of the College and representation at a national level. For absences of this nature prior approval should be gained from the Rector and such absences will be considered legitimate. This means that for any assessment tasks that are wholly completed during this period of absence then the student, where feasible, will be allowed to attempt the assessment or a full further assessment opportunity will be available. This may not always be possible and no estimates of grades can be given. However, for assessment tasks that extend beyond this range of absence, providing a fair and reasonable length of time is available, then these tasks should be submitted on the due dates, i.e. no extensions will be granted.

3. SELF-INTEREST

   This category involves absences in which a degree of self-interest occurs, e.g. family travel, sporting events for non-school teams, holidays during term time, etc. For this kind of brief, planned absence, parents should consult the Rector in advance for approval. This type of absence should not exceed 10 – 15 school days for the year. Students should make every effort to ensure that they do not miss any assessment task since any absence in this category will lead to the award of ‘Not Achieved’, with no further assessment opportunity. Work will not normally be set for students who are absent under this category.

4. WILFUL ABSENCE

   This category occurs when a student has the option of attending school and chooses to be absent (self-interest absence which is not regarded by the Rector as reasonable would fall into this category) e.g. family business requirements, bunking. Assessment items that occur in these circumstances will be awarded ‘Not Achieved’, and no re-assessment will be available.