Bell Times & Attendance

Student Attendance at Glenfield Primary School

At Glenfield Primary School, our goal is to ensure every student is present and engaged in learning.  We recognize that attendance is linked to a child’s well-being and we respond to absences with empathy.  One of our key focuses is maintaining regular attendance, which the Government defines as being at school more than 90% of the time.

Missing just one day of school every two weeks adds up to over a year of lost learning by the time a child is 16 years old.  Parents and caregivers play a vital role in building strong attendance habits.  It is a shared responsibility to ensure students attend school every day.  If you are struggling to get your child to school, please talk to us so we can work together.

 

The Stepped Attendance Response (STAR)

We utilise the Ministry of Education’s STAR system to monitor and respond to all absences.  This plan helps us set clear expectations and provide a graduated approach if attendance begins to decline.

Our school fosters a positive culture by:

• Building strong partnerships between staff and whānau.
• Prioritizing student well-being and acting with empathy.
• Using early intervention to address concerns quickly.
• Celebrating strong attendance and punctuality.

 

How We Support Attendance

When a student reaches certain absence thresholds, we follow a tiered response model to provide support:

Tier 1 (Universal): We celebrate excellent attendance and monitor school-wide trends.

Tier 2 (Targeted): If attendance falls between 80% and 90%, the classroom teacher will contact whānau to listen to concerns and develop a support plan.

Tier 3 (Intensive): For attendance below 80%, a Deputy Principal or the Principal will meet with whānau to create a detailed plan. This may involve internal support or external agencies like the Ministry of Education Attendance Service. 

 

Communication and Absences

Clear communication helps us understand why a child is away. Please notify the office of any absences.

Unexplained Absences: The office or classroom teacher will call home after 2 days of unexplained absence.  Continued unexplained absences will result in formal letters, meetings, and potential referrals to Attendance Services.

Holidays: Parents must email the office and Principal regarding holidays during term time.  These are recorded as unjustified absences and may trigger a response under the STAR plan

If you have any questions or need support, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or our Deputy Principals.  We are here to help remove barriers and ensure your child has a good chance of success.