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Palm Island students meet Minister Scullion

26 September 2014
Children and Schooling
Year 6 and 7 students from Palm Island met with the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, on their recent trip to Canberra as part of the Cathy Freeman Foundation’s (CFF) Horizons Program.

Eight lucky students from the Bwgcolman Community School in Palm Island were rewarded with a trip to Canberra as part of the Cathy Freeman Foundation’s Horizons Program.

Eight lucky students from the Bwgcolman Community School in Palm Island were rewarded with a trip to Canberra as part of the Cathy Freeman Foundation’s Horizons Program.

Palm Island is a small tropical island situated off the North-West Coast of Townsville in North Queensland, and has an Indigenous population of about 5,000 people.

Bwgcolman Community School is the only Prep-12 school and is situated right in the middle of Palm Island. The school, in partnership with the Cathy Freeman Foundation (CFF), rewards students who have high achievement and attendance rates with interstate trips.

These annual trips help guide students to a successful career pathway, while promoting self-esteem, confidence and social skills to help them later on in life.

This year, eight lucky students were rewarded with a trip to Canberra as part of the programme. As part of the visit, the year 6 and 7 students sat down with the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, to present a speech on what they had learnt about Canberra and ask the Minister a question.

“One of the students asked the Minister what he could do for Palm Island,” CFF acting CEO Jamie Howden said.

“Minister Scullion said it was more important to hear what the students thought, and invited them to send him a letter on what exactly they wanted for Palm Island. The teachers and students have agreed to follow up this invitation.

“Another student explained to the Minister that she was looking forward to studying to be a teacher at university and how visiting the University of Canberra had reinforced her desire to achieve this dream.

“These types of experiences best highlight the value in the Horizons trips.”

Bwgcolman Community School teacher Rosalie Tennant said the impact of the trip was clearly evident during the week away and even more noticeable when they returned.

“The girls are more confident and have developed a passion to travel,” Rosalie said.

“They are not complaining about learning being too hard anymore. More than anything else, their stories and photos are encouraging other students to lift their game so that they can have the same experience as well.”

Find out more

For more information about the Horizons Program visit the Cathy Freeman Foundation website.

Getting children to school is the Australian Government’s number one priority for Indigenous children and their families. That’s because going to school and being at school every day gives every child the best chance for a good start in life.

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. It is designed to be driven by the community to suit local needs. Palm Island is one of many communities working to improve school attendance through this Strategy.