This is an example of letter # 1,2,3,4
sent by a school to a parent/caregiver
The North, Central and South Taranaki District Truancy Service's agreed at a recent hui/meeting, that Primary student's attendance falling below 90% and Secondary falling below 85% were at risk.
It was agreed that this lack of attendance could impact negatively on students, therefore disadvantaging them in their future.
Continued absence from school in New Zealand is regarded as Truancy and is against the Law.
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LETTER #1
Board of Trustees school logo address etc
Dear Mr and Mrs xxx
The school notes that (name of student) has developed a concerning pattern of non-attendance.
Please find attached the attendance record for the following (give time frame)
The Board of Trustees is concerned that this absence pattern may be the beginning of a negative attitude toward school
The school would appreciate it if you could please visit (school name) to discuss the matter with (Teacher/Deans name).
It would be appreciated if contact with the school could be made before (give a 9 day timeframe - 7 days and allowing for weekend & letter travel)
Yours Faithfully Principal/BOT
Chairperson or Secretary
* The school (Teacher/Dean) meets with parent/caregiver
* They discuss issues/causes of truancy
* They agree on strategies with the parent/caregiver to improve attendance
*If after this if there is no change and the student continues to be truant send letter #2,
You could consider using the Central or South Taranaki District Truancy Services they will check the students situation and insure that letter #2 is sent by the school.
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LETTER # 2
Board of Trustees school logo address etc
Dear Mr and Mrs xxx
It is apparent that (name of student) has not been attending school regularly despite our previous letter dated (give date of last letter).
Please note below the attendance record for the following period....(give time frame)
The Education Act (1989) requires all children & young people to be enrolled and attending school from their 6th to their 16th birthday whenever the school is open. (s20)
All absences are to be explained and illness should be the principal reason for non-attendance.
Absences over three days should be covered by an explanation note or a Doctors certificate.
It has been suggested that (name of student) absences are not always due to sickness. We would like to resolve this issue of non-attendance.
Please visit (name of school) to discuss this matter with (Teacher/Dean's name)
Please contact the school before....(give date - as per letter #1).
A copy of this letter has been sent to the local District Truancy Service.
(If you send a copy of this letter to the DTS provider, they will check back with your school the outcome of the meeting and take the student on as a referral, AFTER the time-framed date of the propossed meeting)
Yours Faithfully Principal/BOT
Chair or Secretary
* By this stage the student should have been referred to a District Truancy Service.
*The Truancy Officer will interview the student at their school to ascertain the reasons for NON attendance.
*Following this interview the Truancy Officer will send a letter to the caregiver of the outcome of the meeting.
Dear Caregiver
Re: (name of student, DOB, NSN)
On the 00/00/0000 I interviewed your child in regard to their NON attendance at school.
The reasons given were -------------
I am available for you to discuss this matter (Date and times)
I have enclosed a current attendance sheet and pamphlet for your perusal.
Please understand that a call to a District Truancy Service is the first part of a legal action which may end in a referral to the Rock On process and a prosecution following a Family Group Conference.
Kind Regards
Truancy Officer
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By this stage the case has been referred to Rock On.
The CTDTS and STDTS are involved in this.
Following continued truancy by a student the committee will call a Family Group Conference (FGC) ASAP to discuss the issues and resulting outcome.
When an FGC is NOT successful the case leads to prosecution.
This is the end of our current process.
The Rock On process in Taranaki has Court recognition and support.
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*This system can only work with 'buy in' by a school.
* It is hoped by all concerned that a case does not reach the end of this process leading to prosecution.
Stephan Dyer - Senior T.O. CTDTS and STDTS
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The following is an example of the system developed by Hamilton Rock On - WE currently DON'T use this.
______________________________________________________________________
This letter (3) will be actioned through the school system by the Prosecuting Officer
But again protocols are still pending from MoE.
LETTER # 3 Currently this is NOT used.Board of Trustees school logo address etc
Dear Mr and Mrs xxx
The Board notes with concern that (name of student) attendance remains unsatisfactory.
The school has contacted you previously expressing concern regarding the attendance at school of (name of student).
Please refer to letters sent to you on (give dates or Letter #1 & Letter #2).
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I must inform you that the Board, under the Children Young Persons & their Families Act (1989) has now referred this matter to a Care and Protection Co-coordinator at Child, Youth and Family for the purpose of convening a Family Group Conference to address the concerns.
Should you wish to discuss this matter, please contact (name, phone number)
Yours Faithfully Principal/BOT
Chairperson or Secretary
Response after letter # 3.
* Hold a care & protection Family Group Conference.
Central & South DTS use the Rock On process for this.
* If the student continues to be Truant after this process.
This part of the protocal may change. Again waiting for MoE.
LETTER # 4 Currently this is NOT used.
Board of Trustees school logo address etc
Dear Mr and Mrs xxx
As a result of the Family Group Conference held for (students name) on (date), a plan was implemented.
The Board of Trustees has noted that conditions of this plan are not being met, namely
We have now forwarded this matter to the Police with the view to prosecution.
Your Faithfully Principal/BOT
Chairperson or Secretary
Response following letter # 4..........PROSECUTION
