SCHOOL INFORMATION

Absences need to be rung through each morning on (09) 406 8830

These  can also come through via email to office@waiharara.school.nz 

Please notify the school (and advise the bus driver) if a child is to be absent. This allows the school to know that your child is safe. The school endeavours to contact parents/caregivers over un-notified absentees as a matter of standard procedure.

Parents occasionally ask to have children away from school for important or urgent family business. Parents are trusted to use their discretion and common sense regarding absenting their children from school.

WAIHĀRARA SCHOOL

Attendance Management Plan link

Board-approved framework for prevention, response, monitoring, and review of student attendance

At Waihārara School, attendance is about more than being present - it is about belonging, connection, hauora, and giving our tamariki every opportunity to thrive. We work in partnership with whānau, upholding mana, strengthening relationships, and supporting each child’s success.

This framework outlines how we identify, investigate, respond to, monitor, and review attendance patterns in a way that is respectful, proactive, and grounded in our kura values. It has regard to the Ministry of Education Attendance Management Plan requirements and the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR).

The Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) framework is designed to lift school attendance by:

• setting clear expectations

• guiding effective responses

• supporting schools and communities to act early and consistently.

The STAR supports schools to:

• set a clear direction – no student should be left to accumulate absences without a timely and appropriate response

• support Government goals – the STAR helps us work toward the Government’s target of 80% of students attending at least 90% of the term by 2030

• define expectations and actions – it outlines what should happen when students are not attending school regularly.

The STAR clarifies:

• that attendance is a shared priority for students, whānau | families, schools and us

• that parents are expected to engage with the support offered and work with schools, with us, and with other agencies to return their children to regular attendance

• that schools will take action when attendance becomes a concern

• why attendance matters to students, and demonstrates that they are supported by their parents, families, teachers and school leaders.

The STAR and Attendance Management Plans

Subject to regulations being passed, all state and state-integrated schools in New Zealand will be required to implement an attendance management plan. This must have regard to the STAR framework and be in place by the start of Term 1 2026.

In an attendance management plan, a student reaching a certain number of absences will trigger an appropriate school response. The STAR framework supports schools to develop these plans. It outlines escalating actions to address non-attendance. This may include:

• tailored support for the student and their families

• collaboration with external agencies

• in some cases, legal action, such as prosecution of parents, if appropriate support has been offered but not taken up.

We will not prosecute parents of students who are absent because of chronic illness or health conditions associated with a disability, or who are genuinely engaging with a school and the supports offered.

What will matter most is how schools use this framework to develop their own school specific response to attendance.

We are part of the Books in Homes programme.  Children receive a brochure once a term and bring it home so that you can help your child select free books that they can keep at home.  These usually arrive near the end of each term and are given out at special book promoting assemblies.  Often special role models come to assembly to give them out.

These have included children’s authors and top New Zealand athletes.  We also invite local role models who promote a love of reading.  You can support this programme by spending time helping your child select good quality books and then reading them with them when they come home.

Extend this interest by taking them to the local library and role modelling by letting them see you reading too.

Duffy Books also provides gift books for ‘caught being good’.  These are given out as part of our positive behaviour management at Assemblies.  Books for younger siblings’ birthdays and parent & grandparent promotions are also given out.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, positive behaviour, resilience, and wellbeing are strengthened through Kaupapa Māori, Hauora Māori, everyday expectations, and targeted support programmes that uphold the mana of each child.

This includes programmes such as Mana Potential and Mauri Oho, which support tamariki to grow in confidence, strengthen their identity, build positive relationships, and develop strategies for managing challenges in healthy ways.

We take concerns such as bullying seriously and respond in ways that seek to restore safety, dignity, wellbeing, and mana. Our goal is for every child to feel safe, valued, supported, and connected at kura.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, we believe tamariki thrive when they are surrounded by strong, respectful, and caring relationships. Our kura values of Rangatiratanga, Ako, and Kaitiakitanga, together with the principles of Tika, Pono, and Aroha, guide the way we support learning and behaviour.

Students are expected to follow the learning and safety expectations of the kura, show respect and care for others, and take responsibility for their choices. When concerns arise, our approach is restorative and focused on preserving the mana of all involved. We work alongside tamariki to reflect, repair harm, and restore relationships.

If behaviour impacts learning or safety, whānau will be contacted so that we can work together on the best way forward.

Concerns and Complaints

At Te Kura o Waihārara, we value respectful communication and strong relationships with whānau, hapū, and iwi. If you have a concern, we encourage you to raise it early so that we can kōrero together and work towards a positive solution for our tamariki.

Please speak first with the classroom teacher or staff member most closely involved. Many concerns can be resolved through early, respectful conversation.

If the matter is not resolved, or you would like further support, please contact the Tumuaki / Principal to arrange a time to meet.

To protect teaching and learning time, we ask that concerns are raised outside of class time and not in front of tamariki.

If a matter becomes a formal complaint, a written complaint can be made after these first steps have been followed. A copy of the kura complaints policy is available from the school office.

We ask that all communication with kura staff remains respectful and safe at all times. Our goal is always to work together in a way that upholds the mana of everyone involved and supports the wellbeing of our kura community.

Do you have to pay school fees at Waihārara?

Schools may ask parents or caregivers for donations/fees, which are voluntary contributions to help with running the school. It is not compulsory to pay donations. 

Our kura does not ask whānau to pay fees.

Milk and Fruit in School 

Our school is fortunate to be part of both the Fonterra Milk in Schools project and the Fruit in Schools project.  This means your child will have access to fresh fruit and milk daily at school.  The Kick start Breakfast programme began in 2017.

Waihārara School promotes healthy eating and we are a water only school and filtered, chilled water is available to your child all day.

School Lunches and Snacks 

Waihārara School is part of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme which aims to reduce food insecurity. This means we provide a healthy, nutritious lunch every day. The name Ka Ora, Ka Ako is about being healthy and well in order to be in a good place to learn.

The school operates a free bus from within the local area.  Please advise the school if this service is required so that times and collection points can be organised.  

There are designated spots where the students can be picked up.  The bus delivers and collects students to and from our school gate.  

We have high expectations of behaviour on these buses and all students and their parents are expected to agree to and students are expected to comply with these expectations at all times as a condition of travel.  

A bus behaviour contract is provided for all students to discuss with their parents and sign when enrolling. If you are unsure whether transport can be provided from where you live, please contact us we are only too happy to help.

Please note that, unless the school receives a note or phone call notifying any change of travel plans by 12.00 pm. Your child will be dropped off at their normal stop.

We also run a school van. If your child is not on the school bus route we may be able to help with transport. Please enquire when enrolling.

We have our own pool on site. 

Weather permitting; the pool is open in Term 1 and Term 4.  Children have the opportunity to swim daily during these school terms and lessons with a  qualified swim coach can be included in the curriculum programme. 

Students must wear appropriate swim wear and bring a towel daily during the swimming terms.