Attendance

The Education and Training Act 2020 requires that all children six years old and over must attend school. Once enrolled, it is compulsory for children to attend school regularly, unless a specific transition to school plan has been approved by the school and Ministry of Education (MOE). The MOE considers regular attendance to be 90% or above. This is the equivalent of having less that 10 half days or 5 full days off school a term. Students not meeting this threshold may be referred to Attendance Services.

Redwood School encourages students to participate fully in school life. Students are expected to attend school when required, and to be on time for classes. This policy applies for off-site activities as well, such as EOTC activities.

We monitor the daily attendance of students to:

• ensure their safety both in getting to school, and in accounting for them in an emergency
• identify students with achievement, engagement, or other issues
• meet our legal responsibilities.

Parents and guardians also have legal obligations to ensure their children attend school. The school expects parents to:

• notify the school if their child is going to be absent by phone, text, or email by 9:15 am
• try to arrange appointments etc. outside school hours or in holidays
• work with the school to manage any attendance issues.

Student absences are categorised as being Justified or Unjustified. Justified absences may include medical / dental appointments, sickness, and bereavement. Unjustified absences include: not attending because of bad weather (unless physically unable to attend), day off for a birthday, shopping trip, visiting family, a long weekend or attending a show or concert.