1. Information
  2. GENERAL
Attendance, Absences, Lateness, Leave

At Orewa College, we work closely with families to support regular attendance and student wellbeing.

Regular attendance plays a vital role in learning, connection, and achievement at school. Clear communication between home and school helps us support students to engage fully in learning throughout the year.


Attendance

Why being at school every day matters

Regular attendance is essential for learning, wellbeing, and success at school. For families, 90% attendance simply means no more than one day away from school each fortnight.

We look forward to working alongside parents and caregivers to support their child to attend school regularly and stay actively engaged in learning throughout 2026. 

Your child’s attendance can be monitored using the SchoolBridge App. Attendance percentages are printed on student reports and are calculated based on students being present at school or on a school-based activity. Explained absences, including sickness, will lower this percentage.

Poor attendance affects eligibility for inclusion in restricted courses, school trips, and activities.

We are required by the government to send mandatory communications to parents and caregivers regarding student attendance. This means some communications will be sent at the start of the year.

View our school's attendance management plan here.


Absences

Letting the school know

If your child is unable to attend school, please inform us as soon as possible by emailing [email protected] or by submitting the absence through the SchoolBridge App.

If a student is marked absent for the morning without prior notice, a text message will be sent to the first primary caregiver’s mobile phone. Please reply to the message on the same day. Unexplained absences will be treated as truancy.


Lateness

Arriving on time and ready to learn

From 2026, the school day begins with a subject class rather than a form class. Students are expected to arrive on time and go directly to their first class of the day. We appreciate parents and caregivers supporting punctual arrival so students can start the day settled and ready to learn.

If a student arrives late to school, they must sign in at the Deans’ Hub and bring a note from their parent or caregiver explaining the lateness, or have their parent or caregiver email [email protected].


Leave

Planned time away from school

If a student will be absent from school during the term, we require a letter or email from the parent or caregiver in advance outlining the dates and reason for the planned absence. Please email this information to [email protected] and review the Student Leave During Term Time procedure.

​Click here to complete the Student Request for Leave Form.

Students may not be eligible to complete NCEA assessments scheduled during their absence. If this occurs, please follow the extension request form process.

Follow the Extension Request Form process for NCEA assessments.


Appointments

Leaving school during the day

For appointments during school hours, such as doctor, dentist, specialist or physiotherapy visits, please order an exit pass in advance using the SchoolBridge App. The pass will be emailed to the student so they can show their teacher if they need to leave during class time.

Year 7 and 8 students must be collected from the Deans’ Hub by a listed caregiver or a pre-arranged authorised adult.

Where possible, please schedule appointments so your student can attend school for most of the day. All exit pass requests should be submitted before 12.30pm.


School hours

Daily timetable

Monday to Thursday: 8.50am to 3.15pm
Friday: 9.00am start
Interval: 11.10am to 11.45am
Lunch: 1.40pm to 2.20pm


Contact

Find out more about attendance at Orewa College

For more information about attendance, absences, or wellbeing support, please contact:

Attendance Coordinator: Mary Reihana
Email: [email protected]

Attendance and Wellbeing: Cara Lunn
Email: [email protected]