Every Minute Matters – Arriving at School on Time
At Ashburton Primary School, learning begins promptly at 9:00am. While we understand that occasionally being late is unavoidable, our attendance data shows that an increasing number of students are arriving after the school day has begun.
Even arriving a few minutes late can have an impact. Between 8:45am and 9:00am, students are settling into their classrooms, organising themselves for the day, connecting with their teacher and classmates, and preparing for learning. This allows teachers to begin instruction promptly at 9:00am.
When students arrive late, they can miss important information, instructions and learning opportunities. Late arrivals can also disrupt the learning of others, as teachers often need to pause instruction to assist students who have entered after the lesson has commenced.
While a few minutes may not seem significant, these minutes add up over time. For example, arriving just five minutes late each day equates to more than three full days of learning lost across the school year.
We recognise that some families face genuine challenges that can make getting to school on time difficult. If this is the case for your family, please know that we are here to help. We encourage you to reach out to the school so we can work together to identify any supports that may assist.
Thank you for your ongoing support in helping all students start their day calmly, confidently and ready to learn.
Rachel Roberts
Assistant Principal