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Stand-down, Suspension, and Exclusion

Paparoa Street School may need to stand–down, suspend, or exclude an ākonga. This is part of the poari matua responsibility to maintain a safe and effective learning environment.

We approach any stand-down, suspension, or exclusion in a fair and flexible manner. We consider all the circumstances and options available to us before making a decision. Our poari matua and tumuaki consider learning support or other behavioural needs as part of their decision-making. Every situation is different and requires a different approach. Our tumuaki and poari matua seek advice when needed.

In the proceedings, we ensure everyone:

• understands the processes, practices, and procedures
• respects each other, including New Zealand's cultural diversity and recognises the unique position of Māori
• understands that our tumuaki and poari matua use our charter/strategic plan as guidance.

In any case of stand-down, suspension, or exclusion, we follow Ministry of Education guidelines. This includes giving parents/caregivers relevant information. See Stand-downs, suspensions, exclusions and expulsions .

We do not use informal imposed absences for disciplinary reasons. The only way the kura removes an ākonga from the kura is through stand-downs, suspensions, or exclusions.

Key roles in a stand-down, suspension, or exclusion

The tumuaki is responsible for standing down or suspending an ākonga. They must have reasonable grounds that gross misconduct or continued disobedience is:

• harmful to the ākonga or others
• a dangerous example to other ākonga
• likely to be seriously harmful to themselves or other ākonga.

The tumuaki has a duty to ākonga who have been stood down or suspended. The tumuaki must take reasonable actions to make sure the ākonga has guidance and counselling, provide an educational programme to help the ākonga returning to kura, and minimise educational disadvantages from the absence.

As soon as practicable, the poari matua provides the ākonga and their parents/caregivers with the following in writing:

• notice of when and where the suspension hui will be held
• information on the potential results of the suspension
• procedures that will be used during the suspension hui
• information from the report of the tumuaki or any other material that the kura has no grounds to withhold under the Privacy Act, such as personal information.

The ākonga and parents/caregivers must receive the material at least two days before the hui.

The ākonga may:

• speak at or phone/video call during a poari matua hui to have their views considered before the poari matua makes a decision about the suspension
• continue to attend kura during the stand-down or suspension period:
  • if the tumuaki believes attendance is the best way to provide guidance and counselling
  • to continue their education, which may include fulfilling a course requirement or sitting an exam
  • if the parents/caregivers request their tamaiti still attend and the tumuaki believes it is a reasonable request.

Parents/Caregivers may also attend the poari matua hui. They may also be directed by the Ministry to enrol their tamaiti at a distance kura if their tamaiti cannot return to the kura or attend a new kura.

Stand-down

The tumuaki tells the Ministry and parents/caregivers of the ākonga the reason for the stand-down and the stand-down period.

A stand-down can be for more than one specified period. The period(s) cannot exceed five days in a term or 10 days within a kura year. The tumuaki can lift the stand-down early or shorten it for any reason. If the tumuaki decides that there were not reasonable grounds, they must withdraw the stand-down on ENROL. The tumuaki must inform anyone who was informed about the stand-down that they've withdrawn or shortened it.

After an ākonga is stood down, the tumuaki, ākonga, and/or their parents/caregivers may request a stand-down hui. If the parent/caregiver requests the hui, the tumuaki arranges the hui as soon as practical. The purpose of this hui is to discuss the stand-down and share information about it. We may also use the hui to decide next steps for the ākonga.

Suspension

After suspending an ākonga, the tumuaki informs the poari matua, Ministry, and parents/caregivers of the reason for the suspension. The tumuaki also provides the poari matua with a written report that includes all relevant information.

The poari matua convenes a hui to consider circumstances relevant to the suspension. A quorum of the poari matua is required for a suspension hui, or the poari matua may delegate the power to make suspension decisions to a committee of at least two poari matua members. The poari matua must carefully consider every available statutory option available to them. The statutory options available to the poari matua are:

• lifting the suspension early and choosing to include any reasonable conditions
• extending the suspension for a reasonable period that must include conditions to help with the ākonga return to kura
  • The poari matua monitors the progress of the ākonga towards returning to kura. The tumuaki shares this report with the ākonga and their parents/caregivers.
  • If the ākonga does not comply with the conditions, the poari matua may reverse or modify the previous decision at the request of the tumuaki after holding a reconsideration hui. The same rules apply to a reconsideration hui as the first suspension hui.
• excluding the ākonga and requiring them to enrol at another kura.

The poari matua:

• may require the tumuaki, the ākonga and their parents/caregivers, and any other representatives to withdraw while the poari matua decides on the outcome
• may try to reach an agreement with everyone involved in the decision
• must record its decision and reason in writing.

If the suspension is lifted, the ākonga must return to kura on the next kura day.

If the hui is not held or a decision is not reached, suspensions automatically end after seven kura days or 10 calendar days if the ākonga is suspended within seven days before the end of the term.

Exclusion

If an ākonga is excluded, the tumuaki tries to find a suitable and convenient kura for the ākonga to attend. If a kura cannot be found after 10 kura days, the tumuaki informs the Ministry about the steps they've taken to find one. The Ministry may:

• arrange for or direct another kura to enrol the ākonga
• direct the parents/caregivers to enrol the ākonga at a distance kura
• direct our kura to allow the ākonga to return if there is no suitable alternative kura.

  The Ministry must take steps to consult with the ākonga, parents/caregivers, the poari matua, and other relevant people/organisations before the ākonga returns to the kura.

Until the ākonga enrols at another kura, they remain on our register.

We may refuse to enrol an ākonga who has been excluded from another kura unless the Ministry directs otherwise. Our kura complies with any direction from the Ministry to enrol an excluded ākonga from another kura.

The tumuaki assures the poari matua that the kura complies with the correct procedure and reporting requirements relating to stand-down, suspension, and exclusion. See Review Schedule and Poari Matua Assurances.

Related policies

• Māori Educational Achievement
• Learning Support
• Behaviour Management
• Kura Records Retention and Disposal

Legislation

• Education and Training Act 2020
• Privacy Act 2020
• Protected Disclosure Act 2022
• Official Information Act 1982

Resources

• Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga:
  • Stand-downs, suspensions, exclusions and expulsions guidelines - Part 1
  • Stand-downs, suspensions, exclusions, expulsions (information for parents and caregivers)
  • Appendix 4: Information for parents and guardians (see parent/guardian information sheets)
• NZSBA | Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa: Student behaviour management

Release history: Term 2 2024, Term 3 2023, Term 4 2022, Term 3 2022, Term 4 2021, Term 4 2019

Topic Number: 12786	Last Modified Date: 05/08/2025 09:21:34
Topic Version: 3	Published Date: 30/01/2026