The Ministry of Education has recently implemented STAR (Stepped Attendance Response).   STAR has been introduced to support the achievement of government targets for student attendance - which is that 80% of students to attend regularly (be at school more than 90% of the time).  The STAR framework sets out expectations for schools, parents and the ministry of education to ensure the target is being worked towards and students are supported to attend school regularly.

The programme is going to evolve over the next few years as the approaches are developed and we get closer to target achievement deadlines.  But for now, as a result of this new framework and to meet government requirements, Berkley is starting by progressively implementing some new procedures around attendance management.  Some changes that you might notice immediately, is that we are following up on absences and lateness more proactively and also starting to issue emails or letters to parents/guardians of students who are exceeding certain levels of absence. 

If you do receive any communication from us about attendance management, please understand that the intent of it is to support students regular attendance and we are providing the information for two key purposes;  firstly, to start communication with families about attendance and offer our support to work together on improving any attendance issues.  And secondly, to inform parents of data on attendance levels as we understand that sometimes it is difficult to keep track - a few days off here and there, late starts or early finishes can add up and sometimes students do not realise the impact of this on their attendance levels.

There is some more information below from the Ministry of Education, which provides a bit more detail on what STAR is.  If you have any questions or concerns in relation to the programme or attendance of your child, please feel to contact our attendance support team at Berkley

Tonisha Olsen, email - tomatara@berkley.school.nz

Joey Vainikolo, email - jvainikolo@berkley.school.nz

Why the STAR and what it means

The percentage of students attending regularly is very low in New Zealand compared to many other countries. Lifting school attendance is crucial for future success.

The STAR:

• sets the direction so that no student will be left to accumulate absences without an appropriate response to return them to regular attendance
• will help us achieve the Government’s target of 80% of students present for 90% of the term by 2030
• tells us what should happen when students do not attend school.

It sets clear expectations that school attendance is a priority, and that:

• parents will participate in the supports offered, and work with the school, the Ministry and other agencies where required, to return children to regular attendance
• schools and the Ministry of Education will take action when student absence is a concern
• students will understand why attendance is important, and that their parents, teachers and leaders will support them to be at school and learning.

The STAR helps us all to understand what should happen when students do not attend school.

Under the STAR framework, any student who reaches a clearly defined threshold of days absent will trigger an appropriate and proportionate response from their school and the Ministry. 

Activities can include the prosecution of parents for absences if appropriate support is offered and not taken up. The Ministry 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.

https://www.education.govt.nz/stepped-attendance-response-star