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Normanton proves that School is definitely Cool

09 April 2015
Children and Schooling
Remote school attendance officers at Normanton State School

Normanton State School in North Queensland is proving that School is Cool as the community celebrated the start of the new school year.

Up in Normanton, everyone knows that school is cool, especially when it includes a visit from deadly comedian Sean Choolburra.

Located on the Gulf of Carpentaria in north Queensland, Normanton is a small community that has shown that the way to increase student attendance is to make it a community effort, with everyone working together to support the children and give them the best future possible.

As thanks to students and the community for the increase in school attendance, Normanton State School celebrated by holding a community fun day themed School is Cool!

The day brought teachers, students, parents and the community together to talk about education and support school attendance. While there was also plenty of entertainment, stalls and activities to get everyone excited for the new school term, the highlight for many students was the chance to meet top comedian Sean Choolburra.

Sean, who has Gu-Gu-Yalanji, Kalkadoon, Kandju and Bwgcolman ancestry, says that kids need an education to develop and help them later in life.

“In order for me to pursue my dreams I had to know maths, english and have great communication skills to be able to talk to people”, Sean said.

Normanton State School is part of the Australian Government’s Remote School Attendance Strategy (RSAS), which was set up to help schools increase student attendance.

RSAS employs local community members as School Attendance Officers (SAOs), who work closely with the school and the community to ensure children go to school every day.

School Attendance Officer Sherilee Douglas realises that attendance won’t improve unless everyone in Normanton is involved.

“It’s a community thing,” Sherilee said.

“It’s everybody’s business and with everybody’s support it makes school attendance much easier and it makes our job easier as well.”

At the fun day, parents had the opportunity to meet with teachers and SAOs to discuss their child’s needs and learn about the assistance the school could provide to ensure their kids go to school.

Kane Richardson is one of the Normanton students who enjoyed the fun day and realises why the community encourages him to go to school every day. 

“It’s important to go to school to get an education so you can get a good job when you grow up,” Kane said.

Watch our video here, or see it on YouTube.

Find out more

A good education is essential for a good future.  Getting children to school, improving education outcomes and supporting families to give their children the best start in life is a major priority for the Australian Government.

The Remote School Attendance Strategy is about working together with schools, families, parents, and community organisations to ensure all children go to school every day.