Attendance matters: a student perspective

By law, kids in New Zealand aged from six to 16 are required to go to school every day - but the reality is that many aren’t. Absenteeism has been an issue for years and, although the country saw a small lift in attendance last year, more action is needed. Over the past two weeks, Kate Russell has been looking at school attendance. This week, it’s time to speak to the students. We ask Year 9, 10 and 11 college students what drives them to go to school – or what doesn’t, and what they think needs to change.

What makes a teenager want to go to school?

Well, after meeting with students from Nelson College, Nelson College for Girls, Waimea College, Nayland College and Garin College, three words stand out.

Friends, teachers and subjects.

And could shaking up the school week with a later starting time or a four-day school week also play a part in motivating ākonga (students) to attend more regularly?

Here’s what the students had to say:

“If I have good subjects and teachers on a certain day, it makes going to school more enjoyable” - Liam Rodley, Year 10, Nayland College

“My friends are what push me to go to school - if students have a good group of friends, it can help them to show up in the first place. Flexible learning options also help, but school starting a bit later in the morning would be good” - Daisy Filby, Year 10, Nayland College

“Having classes with some of my mates helps. No school on Wednesdays with the other days being a bit longer would be good” - Lucy Young, Year 10, Nelson College for Girls

“I know a lot of kids in Samoa who don’t even get the opportunity to go to college so I believe students here should make the most of the opportunities at school” - Toto’a Vitaoa, Year 10, Nelson College for Girls

“Nelson College is a good school with lots of opportunities - that drives me to want to go. It makes the day go quicker when you have good teachers, but schools should maybe have more classes that fit with people at the same level, so you are not comparing yourself to others” - Brad Kershaw, Year 10, Nelson College

“More flexibility with what we can study would be good… classes I enjoy, and my friends, help” - Jermaine Traberth Hape, Year 10, Nelson College

“I know how important it is to go to school. Starting half an hour later would make a huge difference, the early morning is the hardest part for me” - Ciara Davis, Year 11, Garin College

“Having teachers that make the learning engaging helps. I know how it is important to go to school now, so I can get the benefits later” - Solomon Denny, Year 11, Garin College

“I honestly don’t mind going to class, and having good teachers really motivates me. I think a later start on some days would help some students, and being able to choose a friend to have in your class. Also – seating plans – a lot of people don’t go to class because they don’t want to sit next to someone they don’t know” - Madalyn Ogden, Year 10, Waimea College

“One thing that motivates me is thinking about my future, but I think we should be able to choose the majority of our subjects from Year 10” - Ben Smith, Year 10, Waimea College

“I think it would help if students could choose a wider range of subjects or choose at least two people to be in a class with” - James Deuchrass, Year 9, Waimea College

“Seeing friends on the bus and knowing the teachers motivates me, but I think shorter classes and longer breaks would help, and more choice in subjects” - Maci Rameka-iti, Year 9, Waimea College

“Seeing friends and having good subjects helps” - Lillie Lyon, Year 10, Waimea College

“Playing sports with my friends at break time, seeing friends and the teachers I have. Shorter days would help some students” - Harrison Lee, Year 10, Waimea College