When it comes to boosting school attendance in New South Wales, communities are keen to share their good ideas with each other.

School Attendance Mentors (SAMs) and Officers (SAOs) working on the Australian Government’s Remote School Attendance Strategy in Walgett and Boggabilla got together for a training workshop in Moree last month to compare strategies.

The SAMs and SAOs said it was great to meet their counterparts from other towns and reflect on why the work they do is so important.

“I would like to be a youth worker and [being a SAO] has got me one step closer to that now,” Boggabilla SAO Robert said.

“I always wanted to go to school because my friends went to school; you don't see that these days.  I went to Boggabilla School and remember the classrooms being full and lots of kids around; things are so different now. Hopefully we can make a difference.”

Boggabilla SAO Isobel said: “I want my kids to see me getting up and going to work and them going to school.”

Boggabilla SAO Nathan said: “I think because we are already in community, we can help make a difference. I didn't always attend high school and it's better for kids to stay in school and have a good education.”

Guest speakers, including renowned educator Dr Chris Sarra from the Stronger Smarter Institute and Simon Fewings from the Kids Matter Initiative, shared their knowledge and experience with the group.

“Chris Sarra was very inspirational about how he achieved a change in the community of their school in Cherbourg,” Walgett SAO Michael said.

The workshop was also an opportunity to present the SAMs and SAOs with a framed letter from Minister Scullion, thanking them for their hard work and the important contribution they make to the success of the Remote School Attendance Strategy.

A further training workshop will be undertaken later in the year for the Wilcannia SAM and SAOs.