Attendance
Attendance Procedures
We know that consistent and regular attendance at school supports academic outcomes as well as the development of strong relationships with peers and teachers. We aim to ensure all students are provided with the opportunity to engage in high quality teaching and learning through regular attendance at school.
At Willow Park School, we have clear procedures for recording and monitoring attendance and we work to identify and follow up on any attendance concerns.
School Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:55am - 3:00pm
Children are welcome in classrooms from 8:30am, and we encourage children and their whānau to be at school prior to the bell going at 8:55am as we know children who arrive before the official start of the day are able meet with their friends, connect with their teachers and to settle into the day, ready for learning.
sKids operate at Willow Park School before and after school.
Lateness and Leaving Early
Latenes
We understand that mornings can be busy, but it’s important for students to arrive on time. Starting the day on time helps them get settled and prepared for their day of learning. When students are late, it can be harder for them to catch up on important routines that help them stay organised throughout the day. Regular lateness can build up over time and affect their learning progress and confidence. We appreciate your support in helping your child arrive on time.
Leaving Early
For safety reasons, students must follow the correct procedures when leaving school during the day. Parents or guardians must sign their child out in person at the reception. The reason for leaving must be clear and specific. If the reason doesn’t meet the Ministry criteria for a justified absence, it will be marked as E (Explained and considered unjustified). Please see the 'attendance codes' tab for further information.
Once this process has been completed a 'leaving school' slip will be given to you to hand to the class teacher. No child is permitted to leave without having been signed out at the office first.
Reporting an Absence
Whānau are required to communicate with the school if their child can not attend school, explaining the reason for their absence.
Whānau can...
The first is via our school app called Hero. You can download this from your app store onto your phone and report the absence directly from there. This is the preferred option for the school.
You can also text us on 022 043 4792, or
Email the school on office@willowpark.school.nz
For notice of absences in advance, please email the school on office@willowpark.school.nz or fill in a form at the office.
Attendance Processes & Follow up Procedures
Teachers take the attendance roll on Hero at the start of the day (8:55am) and again after lunch at 1:30pm.
Students who arrive after the school bell, need to collect a late slip from the office and the office enters the student as Late (L) into the roll.
The office monitors these rolls and makes contact through phone calls to whānau of students who have not communicated with the school to explain an absence.
If the office does not receive a response from whānau by 10am, the student is marked as Truant (T).