School Attendance

Attendance: Every Day Matters

At St Patrick’s Catholic School, we believe that regular attendance is essential for your child to feel a sense of belonging, build strong friendships, and reach their full potential. We work in partnership with our whānau to ensure every student is present, engaged, and supported. You can find more on our policies page.

Our Expectations

The Education and Training Act 2020 requires that parents ensure their children attend school every day the school is open.

• Morning Bell: School starts at 8:50 am. Please ensure your child is on time to start their day with their peers.

• Recording: Attendance is recorded twice daily (9:00 am and after lunch) via eTap.

Reporting an Absence

If your child is unable to attend school, please notify the office before 9:30 am. You can reach us via:

• Phone or Voicemail: Call the school office directly - 078714669.

• Text Message: Send a message to the school mobile phone - 0212761228

• Email or App: Send an email to the office - office@stpatta.co.nz

• In-Person: A face-to-face explanation or a written note.

Note: If a child is absent without explanation, our office staff will contact you via phone or text to ensure your child is safe. If an absence remains unexplained after seven days, it must be recorded as "Truant" (Code T).

Justified vs. Unjustified Absences

The Ministry of Education provides strict guidelines on how we code absences:

Justified (Accepted)

• Illness or medical reasons

• Bereavement (Tangi or funeral)

• Exceptional family circumstances

• Representing the school/region in sports or culture

Unjustified (Explained but Not Accepted)

• Family holidays (domestic or overseas)

• Staying home to mind younger siblings

• Birthdays or "days off" with parents

• Attending concerts or professional sports games

• Having a day at home to spend time with the parent 

Planned Absences

If you know your child will be away (e.g., for a medical appointment), please notify the school in advance. For extended absences like family holidays, please be aware that these are recorded as Unjustified, as they sit outside the legal requirements for school attendance. 

If your child is away for 5 days in a term you will receive communication from the school. You will still receive this even if you have been in communication with the school or your child has been away for justified reasons.