Family says Cape Tribulation student, Reuben Blockey, is learning the hard way as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper

Families are doing their best to navigate landslides on their way to school in the Far North town, but in some cases it’s logistically impossible to get an education.

Cape Tribulation mum, Madeleine Parsons with her son, Alexandra Bay State School's Reuben Blockey are calling on Premier Steven Miles to keep a promise made to the family.

An isolated Far North Queensland mum is calling on Premier Steven Miles to keep his promise and help her child get to school.

But the Queensland leader said he has responded with a new plan in place to transport school children from the disaster-affected region in partnership with Main Roads and the Department of Education.

Following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Alexandra Bay State School’s Reuben Blockey and a fellow student spend hours each day travelling around a landslide on Noah Range south of Cape Tribulation to get to class.

Nestled in the heart of ancient rainforest, Cape Tribulation is a popular Far North Queensland tourism destination with the industry considered the "lifeblood" of the region's economy.

The weekday journey generally starts before dawn which involves a trek by foot, boat ride, at least two different journeys by car and a bus ride, takes up to two hours each way.

The exercise is a carefully planned logistical challenge with family, friends and community members all pitching in to help the adventurous six-year-old “beat the bell” on weekdays.

But after two weeks of relying on her close-knit community to get Reuben to school, Madeleine Parsons said her son would be forced to skip class indefinitely starting next week.

“From Monday, I’m not sure how I’m going to get him home because there isn’t anyone to mind him for two hours in Cow Bay after school finishes (each weekday),” she said.

“I can’t keep relying on friends to care for him because it’s not fair to them.

“It’s hard because he’s very social and I know he really enjoys going to school.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles speaks during a press conference in Brisbane. Image: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

During a visit to Cape Tribulation last month, Reuben’s family said the Premier “personally guaranteed” access to school for Cape Tribulation children despite the road closure.

Under a revised scheme, Mr Miles said parents can now drive children to Noah’s camping ground where they will meet the school bus driver at 7.30am.

The bus will take the children back each afternoon to meet their parents.

“I want to thank the local families who raised their concerns with me about accessing school-based learning, during my visit to Cape Tribulation,” Mr Miles said.

“I am really pleased the Department of Education has been working with families to help get kids to and from school everyday.

“Of course we want Queenslanders to be able to live in remote and beautiful locations like Cape Tribulation and still be able to access services.

“Severe weather events present hurdles, but we will always do everything we can to ensure no Queenslander is left behind.”

Access across the range has recently been upgraded with four-wheel-drives allowed over the range at specific times of the day.

Massive landslides caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and floods have scarred the landscape throughout the Daintree.

But Ms Parsons, who doesn’t own an all-terrain vehicle, said 50 days and counting without a way to drive out isn’t good enough.

“It’s been extremely hard,” she said. “Reuben is so tired and getting grumpy most days.

“He’s waking up early to get to school and not getting home till late.

“It’s tough because he’s only little and they’re such long days.”

Road closures caused by landslides during ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the subsequent floods are forcing workers to leave town.

Currently, three Cape Tribulation children attend school, with two at Alexandra Bay and a teenager attending high school in Mossman.

It’s understood the year nine student’s family resorted to renting a room for their child for $200 per week this term in Mossman.

The Department of Education will work with school principals to monitor and support students impacted by the weather events.

Ex-TC Jasper was the wettest cyclone in Australian history with more than 2,200mm recorded in the Daintree. The cyclone and subsequent floods devastated several communities in the region, including Wujal Wujal, Degarra, Ayton, Bloomfield and Cape Tribulation.

Originally published as Family says Cape Tribulation student, Reuben Blockey, is learning the hard way as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper