Introduction 

The Ministry of Education collects March and July roll returns from schools every year. The Ministry also collects June and September returns from state and state-integrated schools with students in funding year levels nine to 15. 

The Ministry uses the roll return data: 

• to fund and staff schools
• to support policy analysis
• to monitor the results of the New Zealand education system
• for national and international reporting.

Who are these guidelines for?

These guidelines support school staff responsible for school roll returns, including:

• principals – responsible for their school's roll returns overall
• staff that principals may delegate to complete the roll returns. 

These guidelines are for all New Zealand schools including state schools, state-integrated schools, private schools and partnership schools. 

These guidelines apply to all school types: 

• Contributing schools (years one to six). 
• Full primary schools (years one to eight).
• Intermediate schools (years seven to eight).
• Composite schools (years one to 15).
• Restricted composite schools (years seven to 10). 
• Special schools. 
• Secondary schools (years seven to 15).
• Secondary schools (years nine to 15). 
• Correspondence School.