‘I am incredibly proud of the work of our staff and the work that Curtus and his family have put in’: New strategies lead to increased attendance in remote schools

Changing the way remote Territory kids learn has helped some students increase their attendances by more than 50 per cent.

CHANGING the way remote Territory kids learn has helped some students increase their attendances by more than 50 per cent, new data shows.

Maningrida School is one of many remote schools to introduce new strategies to more broadly engage students, community and culture.

The changes have encouraged year 6 pupil Curtus Brown to increase his attendance by more than 50 per cent.

Principal Petrina Hayward said working with families and implementing strategies inside and outside the classroom to engage students was key to attendance improvements.

“For example, core subjects like mathematics and science can be blended into outdoor and field-based learning,” Ms Hayward said.

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“We also provide support in connecting other agencies with our families so that if there are other challenges that might be affecting them and their ability to send their children to school, we are there to support.

“I am incredibly proud of the work of our staff and the work that Curtus and his family have put in to ensure that he is at school, and we will continue to engage all of our students, whatever the challenges.”

New data revealed Maningrida School’s attendance for Term 1, 2021, was 49.8 per cent, an increase of 4.7 per cent from Term 1, 2020.

It was also a jump of 18 per cent on Term 4 last year.

The average attendance rate in Term 1, 2021, was 80.4 per cent for Northern Territory government schools, an increase from 79.9 per cent in Term 1, 2020.

Other NT remote schools also recorded increases.

Alcoota School rose to 64.6 per cent in Term 1, an increase of 16.6 per cent on the same ­period in 2020.

Mutitjulu School’s attendance grew to 57 per cent last term, an increase of 13.4 per cent in Term 1, 2020.

Education Minister Lauren Moss said while the attendance numbers were encouraging, significant barriers still needed to be overcome.

“The majority of our students in the NT are engaged learners who attend school every day,” Ms Moss said.

“But for some students, ­social, health and economic barriers make it difficult.

“Our communities play a key role in leading our schools, and that is why key partnerships like these between our schools and families and the wider community will make positive and sustainable changes.”