Information for communities
School - don’t miss a day!
All families want a good education and a better future for their kids. 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.
WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE PRIME MINISTER
Why do children need to go to school every day?
It’s the law that all children in Australia go to school every day. Going to school every day
and getting a good education leads to a better future.
The only time it is okay for children to miss a day of school is when they are too sick to go, or
have permission from the school to be away for religious, ceremonial and cultural times.
Parents need to let the school know if their child is sick and won’t be going to school.
Parents also need to check with the school that it’s okay for their child to be away for
religious, ceremonial or cultural times.
What about children living in remote communities?
It is just as important for children in remote Australia to go to school every day as it is for
those in the city. Many children in remote communities are not going to school every day,
with attendance in some communities very low. We need to increase attendance rates in
remote schools so all children get a good education.
How will the Remote School Attendance Strategy work?
The strategy started in Term 1, 2014, and is being implemented in partnership with
communities and schools in locations in New South Wales, South Australia, Western
Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. It is designed to be driven by the
community to suit local needs.
The strategy works with local providers to employ school attendance teams to help kids get
to school, offering real jobs to local people too.
What do school attendance teams do?
School attendance teams will work with schools to help parents and families make sure kids
have what they need to go to school each day. Team members are local people from your
community. They may be mums, dads, caregivers, aunties, uncles or grandparents who
want to work to help kids in the community get to school.
They can help with things like:
• Talking with children and families about the importance of regular school attendance.
• Working with families where children are not attending school to find out why and what can
be done to help them get there.
• Walking children to school or making sure they get on the bus.
• Providing practical support like transport to school or helping to organise school lunches,
uniforms, homework and after-school care.
• Working with the school to monitor attendance and follow up on student absences.
• Celebrate and reward improved attendance.
All school attendance team members will obtain working-with-children checks and participate
in work-related learning activities.
How will the Remote School Attendance Strategy work with other activities in the
community?
Getting kids to school is everybody’s business. Local councils, shops, sporting groups and
other organisations will all need to get involved and help out.
Visit www.indigenous.gov.au or search #SchoolEveryDay on social media to see stories
about how school has helped people be the best they can be!