Attendance | Dominion Road School

Why is regular school attendance important for students?
Regular attendance at school is fundamental to students making progress with their learning. Students who attend school regularly (at least 90% of the time) are more likely to achieve educational success, and increase their future career and life options.

If a child regularly misses school, comes in late, or leaves early, then they miss out on something. Children who miss school frequently are likely to have bigger gaps in their learning and may find it harder to reconnect with friends. This gradually compounds as a child gets older.

A child who misses school more than 5 days each term (or one day a fortnight), will have missed out on a year of schooling by the time they are 16.

If your child is going to be absent we appreciate you letting us know so that we can record the reason for absence. Unexplained absences "default" in the system to "truant" so it is important that the proper reason be recorded.

You can advise of absences by using any one of the following methods:

A phone call to the office (621 0155) where you can leave an absence message 24/7
A note or email to the school office (office@dominionrd.school.nz)
A text to our school cell phone - 027 408 9684
Pop in to the office to let us know.

We operate an electronic register which is marked in the classroom at 8.55 a.m. The school office then checks all absences and will contact the parents of any students whose absence is unexplained.

What if I want my child to leave school during the day?
Parents needing to collect children for any reason need to visit the school office first to sign them out before collecting them from the classroom. We are unable to release them from class to wait unsupervised at the gates.

We prefer that children are not going home early on a regular basis as this does impact on their learning, even if they are only missing 10 minutes.

Is my child well enough to go to school?

This information helps you decide when it is okay to send your child to school, when you should keep your child at home and when you should contact a health professional for advice.