A new interagency truancy project that is a first in Central Otago is already achieving results, those behind the initiative say.
"Rock On" (Reduce Our Community Kids Offending Now) started at Dunstan High School and Cromwell College in March and involved a joint team working together to support families to get students to school — on time, every day — and stay at school until the end of the school day, Central Otago youth aid officer Constable Tamah Alley said.
Rock On, which was established in New Zealand in Hamilton in 2003, operated in Balclutha and Invercargill but nowhere else in the southern district, Const Alley said.
Those involved in the Central Otago initiative are school representatives, police, Ecase (Every Child Attending School Everyday — previously non-enrolled truancy services), the Ministry of Education, the Ministry for Vulnerable Children/Oranga Tamariki and local public health nurses.
The Rock On members, who were meeting twice a term, were excited about the collaborative approach and already seeing good results in the two Central Otago schools, Const Alley said.
Engagement with families had been good and, although precise figures were not yet known, attendance overall had improved, she said.
"It’s just having a really positive effect."
Const Alley said the intention of the project was "not about punishing parents/caregivers or students" but working together to address the underlying causes of truancy and improve pupil engagement with education.
If a pupil was identified as having a problem with attendance, Rock On would work with the family/caregivers to develop strategies to get the student back on track and attending school on a regular basis, Const Alley said.
