Kia ora whānau

I wanted to draw your attention to our updated procedures and expectations regarding Cell Phones, Vaping and Attendance.

 

Cellphone Expectations

The Cellphone Expectations Procedure has been updated in line with the government’s 2024 regulations focusing on ‘phones away for the day’:

From the start of Term 2 2024, your school must make sure ākonga | students do not use or access their phone while they are attending school unless it is required for learning purposes, health reasons or you have been directed by a teacher or the principal. Phones away for the day includes during lunch time and breaks, and when you are on a school course or visit outside the school grounds. 

The key change to our Raglan Area School procedure is around consequences for using a phone at school; we will now stand-down students who are repeatedly non-compliant; if they have been caught using a phone at school three times.  Please click here to see our full procedure RAS Procedure: Cell Phone Expectations

Please also see the Ministry of Education’s Phones away for the day Whānau FAQs.

We really appreciate your support to ensure our students follow our expectations of them regarding cellphones.  In particular we ask you to not call or text your child when they are at school.

Vaping Expectations

It is against the law in New Zealand for people under the age of 18 to buy cigarettes and vaping products and our Vaping Expectations Procedure supports this expectation. Students who are caught vaping at school will have an immediate one day-stand down. Please click here to see our full procedure RAS Procedure: Vaping Expectations

Student Attendance Expectations

Students aged 6 to 16 years old are legally required to attend school every day. It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure our children attend and engage in learning. Our Attendance Expectation Procedure is designed to ensure that the learning of all students is maximised, while minimising any potential for distraction.

Please click here to see our full procedure RAS Procedure: Student Attendance Expectations

One of the key points is that students who are found to be truanting i.e. deliberately missing class, will make time up after school the following day from 3pm.  Office staff will confirm the “make up” time with the student’s whānau.

We appreciate your support of these expectations in helping the children in your care to do the right thing.  Making our school learning environment Cell Phone and Vaping Device free really does help to reduce distractions, and encourages our students to be more engaged with their learning at school.

Ngā mihi

Louisa Barham (she/her)

Tumuaki / Principal