‘I’m proud of myself’, Hundreds of disengaged students now back in the classroom
Hundreds of Territory students disengaged from education are now back in the classroom, according to statistics exclusive to the NT News. Meet one student who has rekindled her love of learning.
Northern Territory
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IN the past year 15-year-old Philomena Clancy’s school attendance went from zero to 91 per cent and now the student, who admits she feels embarrassed for missing out on learning, is one of hundreds of Territory kids with renewed aspirations to achieve big.
According to statistics given exclusively to the NT News, more than 550 Territory students who were previously disengaged from education have made a return to school this year.
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Philomena had become disengaged because she faced certain hardships but working with holistic program Stars Foundation, Palmerston College was able to get her back to school with near-perfect attendance.
“Now looking back at last year, not going to school, it’s sort of embarrassing,” she said.
“I feel ashamed of myself, like I threw away that good education. I could have been learning last year. I’ll never do it again … I feel good. I’m proud of myself.”
Philomena is now working towards becoming a veterinarian, with plans to undertake an internship and Vocational Education and Training course. She urged other disengaged students to work with their school and spark their love of learning.
“At least give it a go, and push yourself to go back,” she said.
Palmerston College principal Natalie Banks said 19 previously disengaged students were now back in the classroom, using measures including the Elders Program, Clontarf and the Stars Foundation.
In 2020 more than 1600 students were also reconnected back into education. It comes as the average attendance rate in Term 1 this year was 80.4 per cent for government schools across the Territory, an increase from 79.9 per cent in Term 1 of 2020.
NT Education Department chief executive Karen Weston said the result was positive, there was still more work to be done.
“While this reflects the hard work our schools are doing to engage our students, attendance rates remain too low,” Ms Weston said.
“There are many complex factors that affect attendance rates in the Territory – this is why we are working on the new Education NT Engagement Strategy.”
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