Attendance is a shared responsibility
Going to school every day is important for students to develop skills for lifelong learning.
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There’s a clear connection between going to school regularly and doing well in the classroom. Higher levels of educational achievement can mean better health, higher incomes, better job stability, and more participation in communities. This all makes society stronger and more connected.
Students aged 6 to 16 years old are legally required to attend school every day. It’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure our children attend and engage in learning from when they first start school.
- Student attendance guide for schools and kura
- Attendance service providers
- Apply for access to the attendance service application (ASA)
- Electronic attendance register (eAR) tracks attendance
- Early notification messages about absences
Student attendance guide for schools and kura
Schools and kura must have their own attendance policies and procedures, and they must record and report on attendance. This includes a responsibility to take reasonable steps to make sure enrolled students attend whenever the school is open. This means if a student who is expected at school has not turned up then the school must notify a parent/caregiver in a timely manner so they can act accordingly.
Student attendance: Guide for schools and kura
Attendance service providers
Attendance Service providers are contracted to work with local schools, kura and communities to identify and support students on the cusp of persistent absence (attendance officers) and to work with disengaged students and their families to support them to attend school regularly (attendance advisors).
As of January 2024, there are 79 Attendance Service providers who can support schools and kura.
Electronic attendance register (eAR)
eAR is a tool that can be used to monitor attendance of students. Find out more about how to use eAR, applying for eAR, and codes for recording.
Electronic attendance register (eAR) tracks attendance
Early notification messages about absences
Early notification (EN) is a text and email messaging service that alerts parents and caregivers to their child absence. Find out how to get this service and training.
Early notification: messages about absences
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