By instilling the importance of attending school, we will transform generations to come

Improving school attendance in the Territory is a massive feat but it can be done.

IMPROVING school attendance in the Territory is a massive feat but it can be done.

Palmerston College student Philomena Clancy’s return to the classroom is just one example of how important it is that we listen to our disengaged students, find out what they need and provide this support as best as possible.

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Philomena went from not attending school at all to a whopping 91 per cent and now she’s working hard to become a veterinarian.

The 15-year-old was facing personal hardships but the partnership between her family, school and support programs has allowed Philomena to rediscover a love for learning and has gifted the world a brilliant and curious mind.

This is what we need to keep doing.

It’s a long, hard road.

There will be bumps on the way, and we might go backwards before we see positive results but we cannot afford to take a quick fix approach to attendance.

Territory kids deserve more than a bandaid solution.

They need long-term support, to realise their potential and to be assured they are worthy of a good education and a prosperous future.

By instilling the importance of attending school, we will transform generations to come.

The Territory is full of Australia and the world’s next leaders, innovators and change makers and it’s our job to help them get there.

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