By Kelly Hamer | Posted: Wednesday August 26, 2026
A Practical Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Why attendance matters
School attendance is often something that plays on the minds of parents/caregivers and young people alike. It is not unusual for young people to prefer a sleep-in, a day on the couch or gaming to school. However, most young people know that in order to reach their academic goals and take part in the extra-curricular activities they enjoy, they need to get to school on time and stay there for the duration of the day.
By 2030 the NZ Government wants to see 80% of students attending school 90% of the time, each term. REMEMBER: If regular attendance feels difficult for your young person, you do not have to work it out alone. There are people at school and in the community who can work collaboratively with you and your young person. School Refusal vs. Truancy These terms are often confused for one another, but they describe two very different reasons for non-attendance.
TRUANCY
A student chooses to miss or leave school without a valid reason and without informing their parents/caregivers, or the school. Parents/caregivers may not know until the school makes contact. Often linked with disengagement from school and/or learning.
SCHOOL REFUSAL
A young person has a legitimate barrier preventing attendance, such as emotional distress, bullying or learning difficulties. Parents/caregivers are often aware and may already have tried multiple strategies. Truancy may include genuine physical responses such as headaches, stomach aches, nausea, panic and severe shifts in mood. Truancy is when a student chooses to miss or leave school without a valid reason and without informing their parents/caregivers, or the school of their absence. Students who are truant are often disengaged from school and/or their learning. Who is responsible for managing truancy? Schools have disciplinary procedures they will follow when a student has been truant.
If the problem is not resolved, there will be a process of escalation and parents/caregivers will be contacted. The school seeks to work alongside parents/caregivers to help students arrive on time and stay for the duration of the school day. Attendance services may become involved if the issue is not resolved through strategies at home or at school. School Refusal School refusal is when a young person has a legitimate barrier preventing them from attending. Barriers may include mental health challenges or distress, bullying or learning difficulties.
What might school refusal look like?
Headaches Stomach aches Nausea Panic or intense distress Severe shifts in mood or difficulty managing emotions Repeated difficulty getting through the school gates or staying at school
WHAT CAN PARENTS/CAREGIVERS DO?
Make contact with the school and have an honest conversation about your concerns. This helps the school understand the barriers and put the right supports in place. Who is responsible for managing school refusal? It is the responsibility of the school and the parents/caregivers to work together in supporting the student's attendance. This may result in a referral to mental health services, an attendance plan, a visit with the school health nurse, or other support services that may help the young person create realistic goals around attendance. It is important that the school and parents/caregivers work together to develop a plan that is agreed upon by all parties.
Support at Timaru Boys’ High School
If you have concerns about your child's attendance, you can get in touch with their Dean or the Guidance Counsellor to discuss the school's processes and build a plan to support your child.
● DEAN — Discuss attendance concerns and next steps.
● GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR — Discuss barriers, wellbeing concerns and support options.
● PARENT/CAREGIVER + SCHOOL — Work together to develop realistic attendance goals and a shared plan.
