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. You can access your child’s attendance data through the Hero app.

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.

We also encourage children to attend Breakfast Club in the Te Whare Ako building between 8:30-8:50am as another way to help prepare for a day of learning and socialise.

sKids operate at Windy Ridge School before and after school.

Lateness and Leaving Early 

Lateness

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. Whānau must sign their child out in person at the reception, using the VISTAB system. 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' below for further information.

Once this process has been completed a 'leaving school' notice will be printed for 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...

• Call the office on 09 444 3105

• Email: office@windyridge.school.nz

• Complete the absence form on HERO or the school website before 9:10am

Attendance Processes & Follow up Procedures

Teachers take the attendance roll on Hero at the start of the day 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). 

Attendance Codes

At Windy Ridge School we follow Ministry guidelines and use specific codes when recording attendance and absences onto HERO. Absences can be either justified (e.g., for medical reasons) or unjustified (e.g., for an unapproved holiday or other reasons).