1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,360 Speaker 1: Now we know that new government data has shown school 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:07,320 Speaker 1: attendance in the Northern territories stall that's seventy one point 3 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:10,959 Speaker 1: seven percent, with enrollment dropping by over three hundred students 4 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:14,560 Speaker 1: compared to this time last year. And well we know 5 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:16,919 Speaker 1: that despite the static figures, there's been a drop in 6 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:20,680 Speaker 1: the number of chronically absent students on the intensive support 7 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: roll down three hundred and twenty eight from last year. Now, 8 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:29,400 Speaker 1: the Education Minister Joe Hersey has highlighted improvements at Mattaranka School, 9 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:34,640 Speaker 1: where attendance jumped thirteen point five percent, saying that targeted support, 10 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 1: compliance action and school led initiatives are starting to make 11 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: a difference now. Joining us on the line though for 12 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 1: their take on the latest statistics is nt cogso President 13 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: Ruth Myram's good morning to your Ruth. 14 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 2: Good morning, Katie. Lovely to be back with you. 15 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:52,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, great to have you on the show. And there's 16 00:00:52,120 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 1: been lots happening in the education space in recent weeks. 17 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:58,279 Speaker 1: I mean, what do you make of these figures? Has 18 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 1: there been improvements in school attendance rates in your opinion? 19 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:07,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, we're obviously disappointed. We'd love to see this increasing. 20 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 2: I think all parents want their kids at school and 21 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 2: they want them thriving. And we do know there's been 22 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:15,920 Speaker 2: a lot going on to support school attendance. We've got 23 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 2: the school counselors, we've got the positive police presence with 24 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:22,120 Speaker 2: the constables and the new liaison officers. We've got reforms 25 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 2: happening new facilities in Palmerstan and in Catherine. But we 26 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:31,040 Speaker 2: know this is not an overnight solution, Katie, so part 27 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 2: of it will be waiting and seeing how all of 28 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:36,160 Speaker 2: this has impact and washes through and making sure that 29 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:39,480 Speaker 2: it's consistent and universally available for all our schools. 30 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: I mean, I know when we spoke to the Chief 31 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:46,160 Speaker 1: Minister yesterday she'd said that there used to be around 32 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 1: one thousand students on this intensive support role, which wasn't 33 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: ever included in the school attendance data. They've now moved 34 00:01:55,640 --> 00:02:00,280 Speaker 1: kids off that least, steeming it significant progress. What do 35 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:02,960 Speaker 1: you know about that intensive support role and do you 36 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 1: think that makes much of a difference. 37 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 2: I think it does, Katie. We absolutely want to see 38 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:10,000 Speaker 2: those kids back in schools and they're often our most 39 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 2: vulnerable kids. What's really important, and we have plenty of 40 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:16,680 Speaker 2: them here in Tenant Creek as I'm sure you know 41 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:20,239 Speaker 2: who need that support, but it's really important that when 42 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:22,800 Speaker 2: they go back into school that they've got the right support, 43 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 2: They've got the right teachers and importantly the right learning environment. 44 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:29,200 Speaker 2: A lot of these kids are not necessarily school ready. 45 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:32,360 Speaker 2: They'll go to school, then if the environment's not right 46 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 2: for them, they haven't got the right support, they'll have 47 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 2: a bad experience. The other kids who are going to 48 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 2: school will also have a bad experience, and it can 49 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 2: really set the whole system up for failure. So it's 50 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 2: really important. I think that the focus, in addition to 51 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 2: getting them to school is to make sure the school's 52 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 2: ready to take these kids. 53 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:53,800 Speaker 1: Yeah. Hey, in terms of the school attendance offices and 54 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 1: fines being issued, are you seeing a lot of that 55 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:59,919 Speaker 1: in Tenant Greek our things tracking in that space. 56 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:05,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, I know most about the primary school, and certainly 57 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:07,800 Speaker 2: it's not something that we're discussing there. I can't speak 58 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:09,440 Speaker 2: to the high school, and I know they've got you know, 59 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:12,920 Speaker 2: it's a bit different up there. But we have a 60 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 2: lot of support and our school really is sort of 61 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 2: the community really plugs in to try and help in 62 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 2: lots of different ways to get our kids to school, 63 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 2: and that's just one part of it. I think having 64 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 2: those attendes. 65 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: I know that you know that there's been discussion as 66 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 1: well about referring parents who repeatedly refuse the you know, 67 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 1: to send their kids to school for income management, so 68 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:38,680 Speaker 1: basically they'll get referred. Do you reckon that will improve attendance? Like, 69 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 1: what's you know, what's Cogso's take on that. 70 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 2: Look, what we know is that a partnership model works 71 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:47,360 Speaker 2: and where parents are doing their bit, the community is 72 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 2: doing their bit, and we're all working together and wrapping 73 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 2: around the support with this school and the department as well. 74 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:57,800 Speaker 2: And so we would look to other approaches first that 75 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 2: are more understanding. You know, what's going on with that family, 76 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 2: Why don't they plugged into school? Who can we wrap 77 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 2: around them to make sure those kids are getting into school. 78 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:07,839 Speaker 1: One of the one of the locations where it looks 79 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 1: as though they've had a big uptick is the matter 80 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 1: Ranker School. Now they've apparently seen a thirteen point five 81 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 1: percent increase in attendance, the government saying it's due to 82 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:22,360 Speaker 1: a range of initiatives including positive communication to families, additional 83 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:26,480 Speaker 1: school bus routes, police support, and rewards for attendance above 84 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:30,279 Speaker 1: eighty percent. Do you reckon other schools should be following suit? 85 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:34,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, I think everyone can learn from each other. 86 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:36,840 Speaker 2: You know, we're all addressing similar problems while we've got 87 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:39,480 Speaker 2: our local issues and this is where So we had 88 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 2: our Cogno full council meeting on the weekend KDI and 89 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:45,840 Speaker 2: we had more than fifty people. We were oversubscribed and 90 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,040 Speaker 2: we all got together from all around the territory and 91 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:50,279 Speaker 2: these are just the kind of issues we were talking about. 92 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 2: And I think that's where we can learn from each other. So, 93 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:55,719 Speaker 2: you know, congratulations to matterankor to the school and the 94 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 2: school council what they're doing up there, and I think 95 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 2: we can all learn and share ideas. Absolutely. 96 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:03,839 Speaker 1: How did the meeting go over the weekend? The full 97 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 1: council meeting? Was it a Was it productive? What were 98 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 1: some of the main things on your agenda? 99 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:12,279 Speaker 2: It was fantastic, Katie. So we passed the whole Sweden 100 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 2: new policies around what we want to see happen, which 101 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,159 Speaker 2: we'll just finalize and make sure you get a copy 102 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:19,599 Speaker 2: actually so you can see what we were talking about. 103 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:22,799 Speaker 2: And then we had two new motions. So our motions 104 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 2: are like priorities for the next year and what the 105 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:28,159 Speaker 2: Council wants us to look at and actually relate to 106 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:31,280 Speaker 2: attendance in some ways. So the first one was from 107 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 2: Central Australia and they brought one about period pain and 108 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 2: endometriosis and they were talking about up to thirty percent 109 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 2: impact this can have on attendance for girls in that 110 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:45,760 Speaker 2: crucial age, whether they are menstruating. So there's some great 111 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:49,200 Speaker 2: education programs and we're calling for funding around that to 112 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 2: be rolled out to all. 113 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:53,039 Speaker 1: Our school I reckon that's important. You know, as a 114 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 1: parent of a teenage girl, and I know that a 115 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:59,240 Speaker 1: lot of parents listening this morning they have teenage girls, 116 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:01,279 Speaker 1: would feel exactly the same. 117 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:05,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, it was great and accommendations to Central for bringing 118 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 2: that forward. And then the second one was around Zacoli 119 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 2: and the Factor School. There is really looking to be 120 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:15,040 Speaker 2: at capacity, if not already at capacity, and you know 121 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 2: when all that Palmerston area was planned, they didn't really 122 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 2: think through the schools and there's not enough space for 123 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:23,600 Speaker 2: the growing community. So yeah, some attention and some investment 124 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:26,159 Speaker 2: was called for there, which I'm sure your Palmestan listeners 125 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 2: will be very familiar with. 126 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: So what's the go I mean, the school obviously capacity, 127 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: So what would you like to what? You know, what 128 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:34,480 Speaker 1: does that motion sort of call for. 129 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:38,120 Speaker 2: So there's a number of sub make sure you get 130 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:39,920 Speaker 2: a copycatd We're still writing it all up, as you 131 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:45,360 Speaker 2: can imagine, but yeah, they're calling for some planning, some 132 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 2: immedia investment to help right now, but also some future planning. 133 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 2: And I was a bit shocked to hear that the 134 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 2: suburb had been planned without thinking of the kids and 135 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:59,719 Speaker 2: the schools. So we're also talking to the department around 136 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:02,080 Speaker 2: you know, making sure that schools have thought of in 137 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 2: that planning process more broadly across government. 138 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:07,599 Speaker 1: Yeah, fair call. Hey, before I let you go, Ruth, 139 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:10,360 Speaker 1: I know there was reports of chaos at the Tenant 140 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 1: Creek High School yesterday, police needing to be called after 141 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:16,960 Speaker 1: apparently somebody had punched a window of the reception area. 142 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:21,000 Speaker 1: I mean, is it something that I'm assuming it's something 143 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 1: you guys are aware of. 144 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, really disappointing, you know, when these things kind of happen. 145 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 2: I'm actually heading out to meet with some of the 146 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 2: local reps a little bit later today, together with the 147 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 2: chair of the high school council, to get a bit 148 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 2: of a briefing and understand what's going on and see 149 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 2: what we can do. But yeah, you know, obviously worrying 150 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 2: for parents and in their kids, and disappointing and something 151 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 2: that we'll be looking for a clear plan for it on. 152 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean from what I'm reading, it's understood that 153 00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 1: a fifteen year old had then left after allegedly punching 154 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 1: a window and then his mum rocked up and abused 155 00:07:56,560 --> 00:07:57,440 Speaker 1: school staff. 156 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 2: Yeah. Look, I can't see whether that happened or not, obviously, 157 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 2: and it's being investigated, I understand. But if that kind 158 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:06,280 Speaker 2: of thing is happening, you know, that's not something we 159 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 2: want to see for us. Non't really disappointing that absolutely. 160 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 1: I mean at the end of the day, like the 161 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 1: school staff, the support staff that are there as well, 162 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:18,720 Speaker 1: play such an instrumental role and not only do you 163 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:21,320 Speaker 1: want the kids safe, but you want all the staff 164 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 1: at the school safe, no matter what school you're talking about. 165 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:28,119 Speaker 2: Oh, absolutely, they do such a you know, they're working 166 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 2: so hard, they do such a good job. The minimum 167 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:32,679 Speaker 2: is they should feel safe, but we should make them 168 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:36,720 Speaker 2: feel valued. So yeah, a really disappointing outcome for our community. 169 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:40,199 Speaker 1: Sport or Ruth, great to speak to you. I'll tell 170 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 1: you what we've been talking to you just about every 171 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 1: week at the moment. I don't know whether the I 172 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 1: don't know whether the education announcements are going to continue 173 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:50,280 Speaker 1: to come, but there's been some, you know, like some 174 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:52,480 Speaker 1: of them have been good ones, so it's it's been 175 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:53,320 Speaker 1: good to catch up. 176 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:55,679 Speaker 2: Yeah. No, we'll make sure you get a copy of 177 00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 2: all those documents. We're going to be really focused on 178 00:08:57,800 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 2: I think some of those announcements about what goes into 179 00:08:59,840 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 2: the school and you know, programs and support things, and 180 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:06,079 Speaker 2: we're going to really be focusing on infrastructure and making 181 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 2: sure the environment's right so that our kids can succeed. 182 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:11,439 Speaker 2: So yeah, well we hope for more announcements and we'll 183 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 2: keep you posted. Katie. 184 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 1: Good stuff, Ruth. Myram's good to speak to you this morning. 185 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for your time. 186 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:18,640 Speaker 2: Thanks so much, Katie, have a great day with you too. 187 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:19,360 Speaker 1: Thank you.