A major push to improve school attendance rates across Tasmania is underway with the launch of the next phase of the ‘Every School Day Matters’ campaign.
The initiative aims to highlight the importance of regular school attendance and showcase the valuable experiences students miss when they’re absent.
Minister for Education Jo Palmer said attendance plays a crucial role in children’s development and future prospects.
“We know there’s a strong link between regular attendance and positive outcomes such as achievement, wellbeing and completing school,” Palmer said.
“When students miss school, they miss out on lessons, learning, friendships and opportunities that help shape their future.”
Former Richmond Football Club star Jack Riewoldt has joined the campaign as its first ambassador, emphasising education’s importance for young Tasmanians.
“Whatever they want to do in life, a great education lays the foundations for success. But, like anything worthwhile in life, you only get out what you put in,” Riewoldt said.
The campaign was officially launched at Montrose Bay High School by Clark MP Madeleine Ogilvie.
Montrose Bay High School Principal Tim Nicholas highlighted the challenges many families face in getting children to school regularly.
“We know that … it is hard for students to get to school … Sometimes that’s the hardest thing for our students to do, whether they’re getting organised on their own or they have separate challenges outside of school,” Nicholas said.
The principal said partnerships between schools and families is vitally important, saying home environments significantly impact attendance patterns.
“There’s only so much that we can do in the five or six hours at school and we need them as partners to support us,” he added.
The campaign will be rolled out across television, social media and digital platforms, supported by a new website offering resources to help schools, families and students improve attendance.
For more information, Tasmanians can visit www.anything.tas.gov.au.
