Police Vetting Consent Form

Parental Participation in School Camps - Police Vetting Required

Kia ora parents, caregivers and whanau,

I am writing to inform you of an important update that the Awakeri School Board has made to our policy regarding parental participation in overnight school trips, including camps, beginning in 2026.

Policy Change: From 2026 onwards, parents/caregivers/whanau who wish to attend and assist with overnight school trips will need to undergo a police vetting process. This measure is being introduced to enhance the safety and well-being of all students under our care during these extended activities.

Reason for Change: The decision to implement this policy stems from our commitment to child safety. Ensuring that all adults supervising our students at camps are vetted helps maintain a secure environment. This step aligns with best practices in child protection and reflects our ongoing efforts to safeguard our pupils in all settings, especially when away from the school premises.

Action Required: Given that police vetting can take some time to process, we encourage any parents or caregivers interested in participating in future camps to start the vetting process now. Forms for police vetting are available at the school office. Please collect one at your earliest convenience to ensure there are no delays in your ability to participate in the great camps that we offer to students (Year 3-8). As police vet results are valid for three years, parents of Year 1 children do not need to do this just yet.

Processing Cost: Please note there is a processing fee of $8.50 for the police vetting, which unfortunately, the school is unable to cover. Payment can be made via EFTPOS at the school office or through internet banking. When using internet banking, please use 'police vet' as the reference for your payment to ensure it is credited correctly.

Privacy:

The results of the police check will only be seen by the principal and deputy principal, and in some cases the presiding member of the board. If the police check returns a result, this does not mean automatic exclusion. It depends on the nature of the result, when it occurred and its relevance to school activity. The principal, and at least the deputy principal and/or the presiding member, has the discretion to make the final decision.

Next Steps:

• Collect the police vetting form from the school office.

• Complete the form with accurate and detailed information.

• Return the form to the school office, where we will handle the submission.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. This policy is part of our broader commitment to maintaining a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for all our students. Please note, we can only accept police vetting results processed by the school.

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of our leadership team.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the well-being of our school community.

Ngā mihi,

Craig McDonald-Brown

Principal