Parent Information
Absences – Parents must notify the school each day their child is absent. If your child has a prearranged appointment, please inform the office in advance. For extended absences, such as holidays or trips, the office requires the dates your child will be away.
Teachers and office staff mark attendance in the morning and afternoon. If a student is absent when the roll is taken, parents will receive a text message. This process helps us ensure the safety and whereabouts of all students.
Attendance Goal – Attendance is closely monitored at Whenuapai School. In 2026, our school’s attendance goal is for 70% of our students to be attending school regularly (regular attendance is defined by the Ministry of Education as students attending school 90% of the time).
In order to support that, we are utilising the new STAR (Stepped Attendance Response) system. Below is an infographic of the steps that we will use to support students and whānau with regular school attendance.
Lateness – Students are expected to be on time, as per school hours in the morning. Continued lateness is recorded and followed up on by our teachers and team leaders. We want every student at Whenuapai School to have the best possible start to their day. Our morning routines are key for establishing the organisation and focus needed to succeed in their many learning and extracurricular activities. Lateness, even by a few minutes, adds up quickly, resulting in a meaningful impact on a student’s valuable learning time.
Leaving school early – In the event that your child needs to leave school early, the parent/guardian collecting them must sign them out at reception through VISTAB. It would be appreciated if parents could inform the class teacher and office of an upcoming early pick up, so that we can support the student to be prepared.
Attendance Codes
Bereavement and/or Exceptional Family Circumstances (Justified) – We understand and respect that bereavement or exceptional family circumstances require significant time and attention. Your willingness to keep us informed about the challenges you and your family are experiencing, whether it’s a family emergency, a loss, or an important cultural event, is highly valued.
Medical (Justified) – For any medical absence lasting more than three consecutive school days (excluding weekends), the school requests an official medical certificate. This is necessary to continue coding the absence under the Medical Code (M – Justified). If a medical certificate cannot be provided by the parents or caregiver, any subsequent absence will regrettably be marked as E (Explained and considered unjustified).
Appointments (Justified) – We understand that medical appointments may need to be made during school hours. If students miss either the morning or afternoon roll call, their absence will be recorded under the Appointment Code (D – Justified). I If they miss both the morning and afternoon roll, their absence will be recorded under the Medical Code (M – Justified).
Overseas Trips – Our school is strongly committed to both maximising attendance and upholding the academic progress and well-being of all students. Although we appreciate the enrichment that family leisure and travel provide, we recommend, guided by the Ministry of Education directives, that holidays and trips be taken during the school holidays.
In the event that this is not possible, we request that you contact the school office before your holiday to inform us of the dates that your child will be absent. As much as we value academic progress, our teachers are not able to provide home learning or learning to be completed while you are away, as the value of our learning programs are within our structured programs.
Please note: Events such as birthdays or special outings are not considered justified absences. If a student is absent and the reason provided does not meet the school’s policy for a justifiable reason that can also be considered as an unjustified leave.
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Access of Parents / Caregivers to Children During School Hours
Students cannot be taken out of school by a parent, guardian, or family friend without prior permission. If a student arrives late, they must sign in at the office. Similarly, if a student needs to leave before the end of the school day, they must sign out at the office before departing.
For the safety of all students, children are not permitted to walk through the car park. Parents are expected to support this rule by using the designated walkway when accompanying their children.
Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe environment for everyone.
- All cell phones must be handed in at the start of the school day and collected at the end. Phones will be securely stored.
- If a student is found with a phone during the school day, it will be confiscated and handed to the office. Parents will need to collect it.
- The school is not responsible for any loss or damage to cell phones.
We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a focused learning environment.
Student photos and work may be published on school-related websites to promote learning, collaboration, and celebrate achievements. However:
- Images and student work will be posted without identifying captions or full names.
- Parents/guardians must provide written consent upon enrolment for Whenuapai School to publish their child’s photo or work.
- Under no circumstances will student photos or work be identified with both first and last names.
- Years 0-4: Students are encouraged to engage in junior reading, learning heart words, and reading with parents/caregivers—especially those needing extra support or acceleration. This will be arranged by the classroom teacher, but additional support can be requested.
- Project-Based Learning: Home learning may occasionally coincide with projects designed to extend classroom learning.
We acknowledge the importance of family time, sports, and extracurricular activities, which contribute to a child’s development. Parents are encouraged to communicate any challenges in managing homework commitments.
- Lost items are displayed in the school hall foyer and periodically outside the main office building.
- Teachers can be contacted by email, letter, or through the school office.
- Due to meetings and commitments before/after school, appointments must be scheduled in advance.
- Parents will receive an electronic copy via HERO.
- Additional family members can subscribe via the school website to receive newsletters electronically.
- Previous newsletters are available on the school website.
- Lunchroom help, coaching, classroom support, reading/maths tutoring, library assistance, uniform shop, working bees, discos, and fundraising.
If you are available to help, please inform the school.
- Morning: 8:30 – 8:50 AM
- Afternoon: 2:55 – 3:20 PM
Parents are asked to respect the role of the supervising staff member and follow their instructions for safety. Any concerns can be directed to the school office.
- Senior Council, Librarians, Bus Monitors, Travelwise Team, Environmental Team, Junior Support Team, Cool Schools Peer Mediators, and PE Gear Monitors.
Strict codes of behaviour apply. Failure to meet expectations may result in losing the role.
- Mana – Respect for self
- Kotahitanga – Respect for others
- Ako – Respect for learning
- Kaitiakitanga – Respect for the environment
For further information, visit the PB4L – School Wide website.
Note: A list of staff members who have completed restraint training is available at the school office.
Students can collect their lunches from the school office at 1.15pm.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
8:30am |
School Opens |
|
9:00am |
Learning Block 1 (Pupils arriving late must report to the school office). |
|
10:45am |
Morning Tea Play |
|
11:05am |
Morning Tea Eating |
|
11:15am |
Learning Block 2 |
|
12:45am |
Lunch Time Play |
|
1:15pm |
Lunch Time Eating |
|
1:25pm |
Learning Block 3 |
|
3.00pm |
End of Day |
|
3:08pm |
Tamariki to Bus Lines |
- Year 7 students participate for half the year, rotating every six weeks through Hard Materials, Soft Materials, and Food Technology.
- In Year 8, students select two of these areas for deeper study.
The programme helps students develop problem-solving skills and technological knowledge.
- In the event of serious accidents or illness, parents will be contacted.
- Please ensure the school has up-to-date emergency contact details.
- If urgent care is needed, the school may take a child to an Accident & Emergency Clinic if parents cannot be reached in time.
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