‘This is complex work and shifting the Territory-wide results will take time’: Education Department chief executive
EXCLUSIVE DATA: In Term 3 a huge number of students across remote government schools were reconnected back into education in an effort to improve attendance. READ THE DATA HERE
Northern Territory
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IN Term 3 more than 1600 students across 36 remote government schools were reconnected back into education in a targeted effort to improve attendance.
This year, the NT Education Department introduced the Own Our Own program that helps empower schools to provide individualised responses to students’ attendance and engagement needs.
The initiative has reduced the number of students at risk of disengaging, with more than 1600 remote pupils reconnected back into education in Term 3. Attendance for the term Territory-wide was recorded at 76.9 per cent.
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Education Department chief executive Karen Weston said the results would have long-term benefits for attendance, but that the effort needed to continue.
“This is complex work and shifting the Territory-wide results will take time,” she said.
New data showed in Term 1 at Shepherdson College in Galiwin’ku, 123 students were chronically disengaged for various reasons.
The school worked with each student and their family, and as of Term 4, 122 of the students were re-engaged.
Principal Joe Hewett said a range of programs such as Sunset School, which uses cultural activities, sport and recreation to re-engage secondary students, had tremendous results. “It is exciting to see these students re-engage with education and we will continue to look at ways we can further support our students, families and school community to be more engaged in learning across our region,” he said.
“We are proud of the way the school and community are working together and the difference that is being seen in our community. We look forward to seeing our programs and initiatives continue to make positive changes for our school.”
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Education Minister Lauren Moss said while the results were impressive, Territorians could not afford to be complacent.
“Any increase in student attendance and engagement is extremely pleasing however the hard work certainly doesn’t end here,” she said.
“We are focused on getting kids to school every day, but also making sure they are engaged in the classroom.”
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