Program raises Aurukun attendance
AN EDUCATION program tailored to the Aurukun community has been credited with contributing to a 9.6 per cent increase in school enrolments following a spike in youth crime two years ago.
Run in conjunction with Education Queensland, Aurukun Shire Council and Queensland Library, the Flexi School program was introduced this year, aimed at supporting disengaged youths through a flexible learning approach.
Departmental figures show 228 students are enrolled at Aurukun State School this year, a 6.5 per cent increase in full-time enrolments compared to 2017. The school’s attendance rate also jumped to 55.9 per cent last year, following the lowest attendance recorded in at least five years in 2016 (47.8 per cent).
Teacher Noel Waterman said since the 2016 youth crime spike, which resulted in teachers and staff having to be evacuated from the community, the school had undergone an intensive improvement program, with a focus on boosting attendance.
“The flexi program is a result of people wanting to see things done in a better way, making better ways for kids to get to learn,” he said. “The kids come in for a bit of numeracy and literacy support and then some more flexible approaches to learning.”
Mr Waterman, who is working with about 14 students at the Indigenous Knowledge Centre, said the “organic” approach was proving a success.