Family's perfect school attendance

Even chicken pox can't stand in the way of the Smith family gaining a perfect attendance record at school.

The five Smith children were among 330 other Rotorua school children being congratulated for their perfect school attendance this year, during a ceremony at the Rotorua Convention Centre yesterday.

Sisters Paige, 11, and Emily Smith, 12, from Mamaku School, won  the top awards for going six and seven years

in a row without missing a day of school.

Their siblings Daniel, 14, Sara-Jane, 9, and Aliesha, 6, also made it through the year without a mark on the absent role.

"[I put it down to] not having to wear uniforms at Mamaku and we only get sick in the holidays,'' Paige said.

Her older sister Emily said they knew it was going to be boring at home,  so they always did their best to get along to school.

Father Russell Smith said earlier this year that the four girls, who all attend the same school, survived a chicken pox outbreak at Mamaku School without catching the disease, keeping their 100 per cent attendance record alive.

"They eat a lot of meat and we have an open fruit bowl policy at home,'' he said about keeping the children healthy.

"It also makes a big difference getting to bed on time every night and getting a good sleep.''

Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters congratulated the students on stage during yesterday's 100 per cent attendance ceremony, held for the fourth time in Rotorua.

Rotorua Intermediate had the highest 100 per cent attendance for 2012  of all the schools in the area, with 40 students reaching the goal.

Number of students who made 100 per cent school attendance in 2012:

Aorangi School 6

Chapman College 9

Galatea School 3

Glenholme School 25

John Paul College 26

Kaharoa School 7

Kaitao Middle School 9

Kawaha Point School 6

Rotorua Lakes High School 11

Lynmore Primary School 14

Malfroy School 13

Mamaku School 11

Mokoia Intermediate 12

Ngongotaha School 14

Owhata School 1

Reporoa College 20

Rotorua Intermediate 40

Rotokawa School 12

Rotorua Girls High School 21

St Mary's Catholic School 26

St Michael's Catholic School 4

Selwyn Primary School 18

Westbrook School 17

Western Heights Primary School 6

Upper Atiamuri School 2