This week I would like to share with you some important National Attendance Data provided by the Ministry of Education. My motivation for bringing this to our communities attention is the increased number of casual absences being reported by our Attendance Officer. A particular concern is a growing expectation that students can take a "day off" on their birthday. Put simply, this is truancy. I want to raise it as a concern so that caregivers are clear about our expectations and feel supported to say "no" to these requests.
The graph below shows the link between attendance and achievement of NCEA credits in secondary school. The link is dramatic. What is even more striking is the strong link between arriving late and failure to achieve. Getting to school on time and not taking unwarranted days off are central to setting the scene for a successful education. This is a partnership between home and school and is endorsed by myself as Principal and the Board of Trustees of our College.
Can I ask parents and caregivers to reflect on this information and use it in your discussions about attendance the next time you get a request for a "day off".
God Bless you all
Paul Olsen, Principal
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