Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now we know that new government data has shown school
attendance in the Northern territories stall that's seventy one point
seven percent, with enrollment dropping by over three hundred students
compared to this time last year. And well we know
that despite the static figures, there's been a drop in
the number of chronically absent students on the intensive support
(00:20):
roll down three hundred and twenty eight from last year. Now,
the Education Minister Joe Hersey has highlighted improvements at Mattaranka School,
where attendance jumped thirteen point five percent, saying that targeted support,
compliance action and school led initiatives are starting to make
a difference now. Joining us on the line though for
(00:41):
their take on the latest statistics is nt cogso President
Ruth Myram's good morning to your Ruth.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Good morning, Katie. Lovely to be back with you.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Yeah, great to have you on the show. And there's
been lots happening in the education space in recent weeks.
I mean, what do you make of these figures? Has
there been improvements in school attendance rates in your opinion?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Yeah, Look, we're obviously disappointed. We'd love to see this increasing.
I think all parents want their kids at school and
they want them thriving. And we do know there's been
a lot going on to support school attendance. We've got
the school counselors, we've got the positive police presence with
the constables and the new liaison officers. We've got reforms
happening new facilities in Palmerstan and in Catherine. But we
(01:26):
know this is not an overnight solution, Katie, so part
of it will be waiting and seeing how all of
this has impact and washes through and making sure that
it's consistent and universally available for all our schools.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
I mean, I know when we spoke to the Chief
Minister yesterday she'd said that there used to be around
one thousand students on this intensive support role, which wasn't
ever included in the school attendance data. They've now moved
kids off that least, steeming it significant progress. What do
you know about that intensive support role and do you
(02:03):
think that makes much of a difference.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I think it does, Katie. We absolutely want to see
those kids back in schools and they're often our most
vulnerable kids. What's really important, and we have plenty of
them here in Tenant Creek as I'm sure you know
who need that support, but it's really important that when
they go back into school that they've got the right support,
They've got the right teachers and importantly the right learning environment.
(02:26):
A lot of these kids are not necessarily school ready.
They'll go to school, then if the environment's not right
for them, they haven't got the right support, they'll have
a bad experience. The other kids who are going to
school will also have a bad experience, and it can
really set the whole system up for failure. So it's
really important. I think that the focus, in addition to
getting them to school is to make sure the school's
(02:48):
ready to take these kids.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Yeah. Hey, in terms of the school attendance offices and
fines being issued, are you seeing a lot of that
in Tenant Greek our things tracking in that space.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Yeah, I know most about the primary school, and certainly
it's not something that we're discussing there. I can't speak
to the high school, and I know they've got you know,
it's a bit different up there. But we have a
lot of support and our school really is sort of
the community really plugs in to try and help in
lots of different ways to get our kids to school,
(03:20):
and that's just one part of it. I think having
those attendes.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
I know that you know that there's been discussion as
well about referring parents who repeatedly refuse the you know,
to send their kids to school for income management, so
basically they'll get referred. Do you reckon that will improve attendance? Like,
what's you know, what's Cogso's take on that.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Look, what we know is that a partnership model works
and where parents are doing their bit, the community is
doing their bit, and we're all working together and wrapping
around the support with this school and the department as well.
And so we would look to other approaches first that
are more understanding. You know, what's going on with that family,
Why don't they plugged into school? Who can we wrap
(04:02):
around them to make sure those kids are getting into school.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
One of the one of the locations where it looks
as though they've had a big uptick is the matter
Ranker School. Now they've apparently seen a thirteen point five
percent increase in attendance, the government saying it's due to
a range of initiatives including positive communication to families, additional
school bus routes, police support, and rewards for attendance above
(04:26):
eighty percent. Do you reckon other schools should be following suit?
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Yeah, Look, I think everyone can learn from each other.
You know, we're all addressing similar problems while we've got
our local issues and this is where So we had
our Cogno full council meeting on the weekend KDI and
we had more than fifty people. We were oversubscribed and
we all got together from all around the territory and
these are just the kind of issues we were talking about.
And I think that's where we can learn from each other. So,
(04:52):
you know, congratulations to matterankor to the school and the
school council what they're doing up there, and I think
we can all learn and share ideas. Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
How did the meeting go over the weekend? The full
council meeting? Was it a Was it productive? What were
some of the main things on your agenda?
Speaker 2 (05:09):
It was fantastic, Katie. So we passed the whole Sweden
new policies around what we want to see happen, which
we'll just finalize and make sure you get a copy
actually so you can see what we were talking about.
And then we had two new motions. So our motions
are like priorities for the next year and what the
Council wants us to look at and actually relate to
attendance in some ways. So the first one was from
(05:31):
Central Australia and they brought one about period pain and
endometriosis and they were talking about up to thirty percent
impact this can have on attendance for girls in that
crucial age, whether they are menstruating. So there's some great
education programs and we're calling for funding around that to
be rolled out to all.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Our school I reckon that's important. You know, as a
parent of a teenage girl, and I know that a
lot of parents listening this morning they have teenage girls,
would feel exactly the same.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah, it was great and accommendations to Central for bringing
that forward. And then the second one was around Zacoli
and the Factor School. There is really looking to be
at capacity, if not already at capacity, and you know
when all that Palmerston area was planned, they didn't really
think through the schools and there's not enough space for
the growing community. So yeah, some attention and some investment
(06:23):
was called for there, which I'm sure your Palmestan listeners
will be very familiar with.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
So what's the go I mean, the school obviously capacity,
So what would you like to what? You know, what
does that motion sort of call for.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
So there's a number of sub make sure you get
a copycatd We're still writing it all up, as you
can imagine, but yeah, they're calling for some planning, some
immedia investment to help right now, but also some future planning.
And I was a bit shocked to hear that the
suburb had been planned without thinking of the kids and
the schools. So we're also talking to the department around
(07:00):
you know, making sure that schools have thought of in
that planning process more broadly across government.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Yeah, fair call. Hey, before I let you go, Ruth,
I know there was reports of chaos at the Tenant
Creek High School yesterday, police needing to be called after
apparently somebody had punched a window of the reception area.
I mean, is it something that I'm assuming it's something
you guys are aware of.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Yeah, really disappointing, you know, when these things kind of happen.
I'm actually heading out to meet with some of the
local reps a little bit later today, together with the
chair of the high school council, to get a bit
of a briefing and understand what's going on and see
what we can do. But yeah, you know, obviously worrying
for parents and in their kids, and disappointing and something
that we'll be looking for a clear plan for it on.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Yeah, I mean from what I'm reading, it's understood that
a fifteen year old had then left after allegedly punching
a window and then his mum rocked up and abused
school staff.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Yeah. Look, I can't see whether that happened or not, obviously,
and it's being investigated, I understand. But if that kind
of thing is happening, you know, that's not something we
want to see for us. Non't really disappointing that absolutely.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
I mean at the end of the day, like the
school staff, the support staff that are there as well,
play such an instrumental role and not only do you
want the kids safe, but you want all the staff
at the school safe, no matter what school you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Oh, absolutely, they do such a you know, they're working
so hard, they do such a good job. The minimum
is they should feel safe, but we should make them
feel valued. So yeah, a really disappointing outcome for our community.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Sport or Ruth, great to speak to you. I'll tell
you what we've been talking to you just about every
week at the moment. I don't know whether the I
don't know whether the education announcements are going to continue
to come, but there's been some, you know, like some
of them have been good ones, so it's it's been
good to catch up.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Yeah. No, we'll make sure you get a copy of
all those documents. We're going to be really focused on
I think some of those announcements about what goes into
the school and you know, programs and support things, and
we're going to really be focusing on infrastructure and making
sure the environment's right so that our kids can succeed.
So yeah, well we hope for more announcements and we'll
keep you posted. Katie.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Good stuff, Ruth. Myram's good to speak to you this morning.
Thanks so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Thanks so much, Katie, have a great day with you too.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Thank you.
Now we know that new government data has shown school
attendance in the Northern territories stall that's seventy one point
seven percent, with enrollment dropping by over three hundred students
compared to this time last year. And well we know
that despite the static figures, there's been a drop in
the number of chronically absent students on the intensive support
(00:20):
roll down three hundred and twenty eight from last year. Now,
the Education Minister Joe Hersey has highlighted improvements at Mattaranka School,
where attendance jumped thirteen point five percent, saying that targeted support,
compliance action and school led initiatives are starting to make
a difference now. Joining us on the line though for
(00:41):
their take on the latest statistics is nt cogso President
Ruth Myram's good morning to your Ruth.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Good morning, Katie. Lovely to be back with you.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Yeah, great to have you on the show. And there's
been lots happening in the education space in recent weeks.
I mean, what do you make of these figures? Has
there been improvements in school attendance rates in your opinion?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Yeah, Look, we're obviously disappointed. We'd love to see this increasing.
I think all parents want their kids at school and
they want them thriving. And we do know there's been
a lot going on to support school attendance. We've got
the school counselors, we've got the positive police presence with
the constables and the new liaison officers. We've got reforms
happening new facilities in Palmerstan and in Catherine. But we
(01:26):
know this is not an overnight solution, Katie, so part
of it will be waiting and seeing how all of
this has impact and washes through and making sure that
it's consistent and universally available for all our schools.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
I mean, I know when we spoke to the Chief
Minister yesterday she'd said that there used to be around
one thousand students on this intensive support role, which wasn't
ever included in the school attendance data. They've now moved
kids off that least, steeming it significant progress. What do
you know about that intensive support role and do you
(02:03):
think that makes much of a difference.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I think it does, Katie. We absolutely want to see
those kids back in schools and they're often our most
vulnerable kids. What's really important, and we have plenty of
them here in Tenant Creek as I'm sure you know
who need that support, but it's really important that when
they go back into school that they've got the right support,
They've got the right teachers and importantly the right learning environment.
(02:26):
A lot of these kids are not necessarily school ready.
They'll go to school, then if the environment's not right
for them, they haven't got the right support, they'll have
a bad experience. The other kids who are going to
school will also have a bad experience, and it can
really set the whole system up for failure. So it's
really important. I think that the focus, in addition to
getting them to school is to make sure the school's
(02:48):
ready to take these kids.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Yeah. Hey, in terms of the school attendance offices and
fines being issued, are you seeing a lot of that
in Tenant Greek our things tracking in that space.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Yeah, I know most about the primary school, and certainly
it's not something that we're discussing there. I can't speak
to the high school, and I know they've got you know,
it's a bit different up there. But we have a
lot of support and our school really is sort of
the community really plugs in to try and help in
lots of different ways to get our kids to school,
(03:20):
and that's just one part of it. I think having
those attendes.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
I know that you know that there's been discussion as
well about referring parents who repeatedly refuse the you know,
to send their kids to school for income management, so
basically they'll get referred. Do you reckon that will improve attendance? Like,
what's you know, what's Cogso's take on that.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Look, what we know is that a partnership model works
and where parents are doing their bit, the community is
doing their bit, and we're all working together and wrapping
around the support with this school and the department as well.
And so we would look to other approaches first that
are more understanding. You know, what's going on with that family,
Why don't they plugged into school? Who can we wrap
(04:02):
around them to make sure those kids are getting into school.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
One of the one of the locations where it looks
as though they've had a big uptick is the matter
Ranker School. Now they've apparently seen a thirteen point five
percent increase in attendance, the government saying it's due to
a range of initiatives including positive communication to families, additional
school bus routes, police support, and rewards for attendance above
(04:26):
eighty percent. Do you reckon other schools should be following suit?
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Yeah, Look, I think everyone can learn from each other.
You know, we're all addressing similar problems while we've got
our local issues and this is where So we had
our Cogno full council meeting on the weekend KDI and
we had more than fifty people. We were oversubscribed and
we all got together from all around the territory and
these are just the kind of issues we were talking about.
And I think that's where we can learn from each other. So,
(04:52):
you know, congratulations to matterankor to the school and the
school council what they're doing up there, and I think
we can all learn and share ideas. Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
How did the meeting go over the weekend? The full
council meeting? Was it a Was it productive? What were
some of the main things on your agenda?
Speaker 2 (05:09):
It was fantastic, Katie. So we passed the whole Sweden
new policies around what we want to see happen, which
we'll just finalize and make sure you get a copy
actually so you can see what we were talking about.
And then we had two new motions. So our motions
are like priorities for the next year and what the
Council wants us to look at and actually relate to
attendance in some ways. So the first one was from
(05:31):
Central Australia and they brought one about period pain and
endometriosis and they were talking about up to thirty percent
impact this can have on attendance for girls in that
crucial age, whether they are menstruating. So there's some great
education programs and we're calling for funding around that to
be rolled out to all.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Our school I reckon that's important. You know, as a
parent of a teenage girl, and I know that a
lot of parents listening this morning they have teenage girls,
would feel exactly the same.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah, it was great and accommendations to Central for bringing
that forward. And then the second one was around Zacoli
and the Factor School. There is really looking to be
at capacity, if not already at capacity, and you know
when all that Palmerston area was planned, they didn't really
think through the schools and there's not enough space for
the growing community. So yeah, some attention and some investment
(06:23):
was called for there, which I'm sure your Palmestan listeners
will be very familiar with.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
So what's the go I mean, the school obviously capacity,
So what would you like to what? You know, what
does that motion sort of call for.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
So there's a number of sub make sure you get
a copycatd We're still writing it all up, as you
can imagine, but yeah, they're calling for some planning, some
immedia investment to help right now, but also some future planning.
And I was a bit shocked to hear that the
suburb had been planned without thinking of the kids and
the schools. So we're also talking to the department around
(07:00):
you know, making sure that schools have thought of in
that planning process more broadly across government.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Yeah, fair call. Hey, before I let you go, Ruth,
I know there was reports of chaos at the Tenant
Creek High School yesterday, police needing to be called after
apparently somebody had punched a window of the reception area.
I mean, is it something that I'm assuming it's something
you guys are aware of.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Yeah, really disappointing, you know, when these things kind of happen.
I'm actually heading out to meet with some of the
local reps a little bit later today, together with the
chair of the high school council, to get a bit
of a briefing and understand what's going on and see
what we can do. But yeah, you know, obviously worrying
for parents and in their kids, and disappointing and something
that we'll be looking for a clear plan for it on.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Yeah, I mean from what I'm reading, it's understood that
a fifteen year old had then left after allegedly punching
a window and then his mum rocked up and abused
school staff.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Yeah. Look, I can't see whether that happened or not, obviously,
and it's being investigated, I understand. But if that kind
of thing is happening, you know, that's not something we
want to see for us. Non't really disappointing that absolutely.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
I mean at the end of the day, like the
school staff, the support staff that are there as well,
play such an instrumental role and not only do you
want the kids safe, but you want all the staff
at the school safe, no matter what school you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Oh, absolutely, they do such a you know, they're working
so hard, they do such a good job. The minimum
is they should feel safe, but we should make them
feel valued. So yeah, a really disappointing outcome for our community.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Sport or Ruth, great to speak to you. I'll tell
you what we've been talking to you just about every
week at the moment. I don't know whether the I
don't know whether the education announcements are going to continue
to come, but there's been some, you know, like some
of them have been good ones, so it's it's been
good to catch up.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Yeah. No, we'll make sure you get a copy of
all those documents. We're going to be really focused on
I think some of those announcements about what goes into
the school and you know, programs and support things, and
we're going to really be focusing on infrastructure and making
sure the environment's right so that our kids can succeed.
So yeah, well we hope for more announcements and we'll
keep you posted. Katie.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Good stuff, Ruth. Myram's good to speak to you this morning.
Thanks so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Thanks so much, Katie, have a great day with you too.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Thank you.
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