Tennant Creek locals find walking the first step to better school attendance

In Tennant Creek, locals have found that the simple act of walking their kids to school has increased attendance and made children more excited about education.  

The remote Northern Territory town had experienced years of poor school attendance and became part of the Australian Government’s Remote School Attendance Strategy (RSAS). The Strategy, which involves local community members working with schools to help students get to school and stay there during the day, has seen attendance increase here after parents started walking their children to school.

Tennant Creek community member Reanna Bathern is one of the parents contributing to the rise in attendance by walking their children to school. Reanna, a single mum and a full-time receptionist with the local Anyinginyi Aboriginal Health Corporation, says ‘it’s a nice thing to do.’ 

“The early part of the morning is a good time to chat with your own kids, talk about the day ahead, talk about the birds and the flowers you see along the way, and generally have some real quality time together,” Reanna said.

Sometimes we see other families along the way:  we join up, and then we have a big chat.”

While attendance has started to increase, Reanna has noticed some other benefits.

“Walking to school is a great way to start your day,” Reanna said.

“Kids are happier, we are getting some exercise and everyone is talking to each other. I’ve seen a great improvement in the attitude of children since we started walking to school. When we get to school, I farewell them and I then continue to walk to my office.”

Another local who has seen the improvements brought by walking is Steven Lawton. Born and raised in Tennant Creek, Steven is a Student Attendance Officer (SAO) with RSAS and found that walking to school with students and their families will be good practice for his own future.  

“I originally took the job as a SAO because I needed the work but I have come to really enjoy helping kids. I have a one year old daughter and this is great practice for when she starts school,” Steven said.

“Thanks to walking, there are lots more children going to school now and you can see that they are happier at school. At first, the kids weren’t sure why I was walking with them but once I built up their trust, they realised I had their best interests at heart, and now we all have a good time walking to school together,” Steven said.