Who's not here...? Working towards keeping "absentee students" at school

Appendix One : Background to Participating Schools

These descriptions of schools and the communities they serve are included here to assist other schools who may wish to implement programmes to monitor attendance and follow up absences, to compare their circumstances with those taking part in the study. Most of the information was provided by the schools themselves at the time the interviews were carried out. The figures given for rolls are from the annual returns as at 1 July 1990. These schools have indicated various forms of help they are prepared to give. In order to coordinate this assistance, please contact your Liaison Officer in your local Ministry of Education District Office or Elspeth Preddey, Equal Educational Opportunities Adviser, National Office, Ministry of Education. Wellington.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Cannons Creek School

This school is a state contributing primary school located in a residential suburb of a light industrial and manufacturing city. In 1990 it had a roll of 281. Ethnically, the school is predominantly Pacific Islanders (60% of the school’s community are Pacific Islanders with a further 35% of its population being Māori and 5% from other ethnic groups). The school draws students from an area of very high unemployment and low socio-economic status. Many students come from homes where parents are on Social Welfare benefits. There is also a large number of children who live with only one parent.

FernIea School

Fernlea School is a state contributing primary school in a residential suburb which is physically separated from its city by surrounding hills. The community is thus well defined. The school had a roll of 163 in 1990. Ethnically, the school community is predominantly non-Māori; however, 21% of the school roll is Māori and 7% Pacific Islands.

Hamilton East Primary School

This school is a state contributing primary school located in a residential area near the centre of a provincial city. The school serves a diverse community with a stable group of mainly higher income earners, as well as a more transient group of families. Ethnically, the community is predominantly non-Māori, with 19% of the school’s population being Māori and 2% Pacific Islands. In 1990 the school roll was 328.

Insoll Avenue Primary School

This school is also a state contributing primary school in a provincial city. Its roll was 358 in 1990. Ethnically, the population is predominantly non-Māori: however, 40% of the school’s population is Māori and 6% Pacific Islands. The school serves a low socio-economic area, which is characterised by high unemployment (50% of families) and there is a large proportion of single parent families. The school has a large number of ‘at risk’ children and runs a large number of special needs programmes.
 

Kaiapoi North Primary School

Kaiapoi North School is a state full primary school with a roll of 423 in 1990, in a small town which is satellite to a city. The principal industries are based on the surrounding farming district which it serves. These activities are mainly dairying, mixed farming, and market gardening. The school draws students from an area of very high unemployment and low socio-economic status. Many students come from homes where parents are on Social Welfare benefits. There is a large number of children who live with only one parent. The population is also very transient.

Miller Avenue Primary School

This school is also a state full primary school in a town of approximately 4000 people. The school had a roll of 333 in 1990. The school is situated in a town which serves the surrounding dairying and sheep farming districts. The school community is ethnically 66% non-Māori, and 34% Māori. Families are mainly from middle to lower socio-economic groups. Increasing unemployment features significantly with the closures of industrial sites and the down-turn in the farming industry.

Ngaruawahia Primary School

Ngaruawahia School is a state full primary school in a town of approximately 4600 people. The school had a roll of 333 in 1990. The school is situated in a town which serves a predominantly dairy and sheep farming area. Ethnically, the community is predominantly Māori, and 57% of the school’s roll is Māori and 43% non-Māori. The school draws students from an area of very transient population experiencing high unemployment and low socio-economic status. Ninety percent of students come from homes where parents are unemployed, beneficiaries, or on a low income (ie. under $15,000).

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS

Brandon Intermediate

This is a state intermediate, having a roll of 329 in 1990. The school is located in a residential suburb of an industrial and manufacturing city. The suburb is a multi-ethnic lower socio-economic one and is perceived by the school to be a very caring community. It includes a large number of Pacific Islands born immigrants who have come to New Zealand to give their children more opportunities (56% of the students are Pacific Islanders). Thirty-four percent of the school population is Māori. Approximately a third of people are on Social Welfare benefits. Accommodation is largely state housing, with a third of the residents owning their homes.

Dargaville Intermediate

Dargaville Intermediate is a state intermediate school in a town of approximately 5000. The school had a roll of 228 in 1990. The town is a service and distribution centre for a large rural area. Ethnically, the community is predominantly non-Māori 73% and 27% are Māori, but the school roll is between 30% and 45% Māori. Students from both urban and rural communities attend this school with approximately a third of students being bussed to school and some coming as far away as 12 kms. Over 50% of students come from lower SES families, with a number of families living an Social Welfare benefits.

Melville Intermediate

Melville Intermediate is a state intermediate school in a provincial city. The school is located in a main suburb of a major commercial and industrial centre of the country’s richest agricultural and pastoral areas, and in 1990 had a roll of 544. Ethnically, the school’s community is predominantly non-Māori; 28% of its population is Māori and 5% Pacific Islands. There is also a small number of new immigrant ESL children (Asian). The school caters for children from a wide range of socio-economic classes but more from the lower Elley-Irving levels (4/5/6). There is some unemployment, and there is a high proportion of solo parents or split families. The school perceives their community to be strong, supportive, and with a clearly defined community identity.

Parkway Intermediate

This school is a state intermediate school located in a residential suburb of a city. The school had a roll of 269 in 1990. Ethnically, the school community predominantly non-Māori; 15% of its population is Māori and 5% Pacific Islands.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Avonside Girls’ High School

Avonside Girls’ High School is a state form 3-7 secondary school with a roll of 939 in 1990 and is located in a residential suburb close to the centre of a major city. The school community is predominantly non-Māori; 10% of the school roll is Māori, and 2% is Pacific Islands. This school serves a wide geographical area. Students come from a cross-section of SES levels, although the majority would be ‘working class’.

Cashmere High School

This school is a large state co-educational form 3-7 Secondary school with a roll of 1205 in 1990. It is located in a residential suburb on the outskirts of a major city. Ethnically, the school is predominantly non-Māori, with only 4% of the school population Māori, and 1% Pacific Islands. The school serves a very wide community both geographically and in terms of socio-economic status. However, the majority of students come from a reasonably affluent area (although this is changing a little with the tougher economic times and increasing redundancy amongst ‘professional’ people).

Hastings Girls’ High School

Hastings Girls’ High School is a state form 3-7 secondary school with a roll of 805 in 1990. Hastings, the city in which the school is located, is the main service centre for the surrounding district, an important fruit and wine producing area. Another major industry in the locality us that of food processing. Forty-four percent of the school population is Māori, 4% Pacific Islands, and 52% other ethnic groups. This school serves a wide geographical area, with students coming from a cross-section of SES levels.

Huntly College

Huntly College is a state co-educational form 3-7 secondary school located in a town of approximately 6000 people. This school is situated in a residential area, with a surrounding area which focuses on farming, mining, and electricity production. The school serves a large Māori community with 45% of the roll being Māori. The roll for 1990 was 513. The school community predominantly has a very low socio-economic status with 60% to 70% of third formers coming from families who live on Social Welfare benefits or are employed in low paying jobs. A proportion of the families are second and third generation beneficiaries. Bus pupils tend to come from farms, to be non-Māori, and to come from middle class families.

Karamu High School

This high school is a provincial city state co-educational form 3-7 secondary school. The surrounding district is a large fruit and grape producing and food processing area. Thirty percent of the school population is Māori, and 2% Pacific Islands. Sixty percent of its roll (763 in 1990) is female. The students attending the school come from predominantly middle to low socio-economic backgrounds although all levels of SES are represented.
 

Mairehau High School

Mairehau High School is a state co-educational form 3-7 secondary school located in a residential suburb on the outskirts of a major city. It serves a very wide community both geographically and in terms of socio-economic status. Approximately 67% of students’ parents are either on a Social Welfare benefit or on a low income. A number of parents currently on low incomes had held higher paid jobs but were made redundant. The community is mobile with a tenth of the school moving in and out of the school every year. (The school roll for 1990 was 634.)

Northland College

This school is also a state co-educational form 3-7 secondary school, with a roll of 568 in 1990. It is located in a town of approximately 4000 people which is a servicing and distribution centre for the surrounding rural area which supports sheep, cattle, dairy farming, and market gardening. Students from a wide area attend the school with approximately half of the students being bussed to school, some travelling 60 kms to school. Ethnically, the school community is predominantly Māori with 66% of the students being Māori. There is an increasing number of families not on the telephone. Approximately 42% of students come from families who live on a Social Welfare benefit, and 40% of students have applied for a remission of fees on solid economic grounds.

Parkway College

This is a state co-educational form 3-7 secondary school located in a residential city suburb. The school had a roll of 502 in 1990. Ethnically, the school community is predominantly non-Māori; 15% of the school roll is Māori and 6% Pacific Islands.

Porirua College

Porirua College is a state co-educational form 3-7 secondary school located in a residential suburb of a light industrial and manufacturing city. Ethnically, the school community is predominantly Pacific Islands, with 64% of the school population being Pacific Islands, 28% Māori, and 8% other ethnic groups. The school is located in a multi-ethnic, lower socio-economic area, perceived by the school to be a very caring community. The age structure of the community is comparatively young. The area is one of high unemployment and a large number of families live on benefits. The school roll for 1990 was 815.

Queen Elizabeth College

This college is a state co-educational form 3-7 secondary school located in a light industrial/commercial area of a provincial city. The school had a roll of 928 in 1990. Ethnically, the school community is predominantly non-Māori, with only 25% of the school population Māori. There is a large group (6% of the roll) of Asian students and the school has a number of ESL and adult students. The school also has an experience unit. A quarter of the students come from families who are on a Social Welfare benefit, mainly the unemployment benefit. The school draws its students from all over the city.

Thames High School

This is a state co-educational form 3-7 secondary school with a roll of 634 in 1990 and is located in a town of approximately 6000 people. The town is the commercial and servicing centre for the surrounding areas. The town is a long way from tertiary institutions. Ethnically, the school community is predominantly non-Māori, with only 12% of the school population Māori. Forty percent of the students travel to school by bus. The school community is predominantly working class. Few youth employment opportunities exist in this area which has meant the school has had to offer a wide range of courses.
 

Tikipunga High School

This school is a state co-educational form 3-7 secondary school located in a suburb of a provincial city which is primarily a servicing and marketing centre for the region. It had a roll of 576 in 1990. Forty-four percent of the school population is Māori, with six Vietnamese refugees. The school has two attached ‘special units’ and a Kura Hou. Students come from a wide geographical area. The community while largely consisting of lower SES groups, also has a small upper middle class group. Seventy-two percent of families are living on Social Welfare benefits.