Cowboys partnership helping Doomadgee kids stay in school

The Palaszczuk Government and North Queensland Cowboys are working together to help boost school attendance rates amongst students at Doomadgee State School.

Minister for Communities and Ministerial Champion for Doomadgee Coralee O'Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government has provided more than $190,000 over two years to the Cowboys to expand and customise its Try for 5 program to Doomadgee.

“This program will see the Doomadgee community, Queensland Governmentand organisations such as the North Queensland Cowboys working together to increase school attendance and improve life outcomes for students in Doomadgee,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“It will build on existing work the school is leading in partnership with the community and community leaders. 

“The two-year strategy includes North Queensland Cowboys players encouraging Doomadgee State School students to go to school daily by holding attendance challenges.

“Current and former North Queensland Cowboys players will do fortnightly video messages to congratulate the winning class and winning student of the challenges.

“Players will also visit each school term to hand out certificates to students, club merchandise and vouchers to the value of $100 that the school can distribute to families to recognise their efforts.

“The Cowboys will work closely with the school to not only lift attendance but encourage and support students and families to engage with the school in learning.”

The Cowboys Try for 5 program is currently operating in 23 Queensland schools to address short and long term impacts of students falling behind during their primary years through poor school attendance.

In each community the program is tailored to the specific needs of the community in partnership with the school.

Data from 2017 shows schools that participated in the Try for 5 program experienced an increase in school attendance compared to 2016.

Mrs O’Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government’s support for the Cowboys Try for 5 program was part of its vision to build thriving communities across Queensland.

“We are committed to creating thriving communities where Queenslanders, regardless of who they are or where they live, can participate in their community, be resilient and enjoy social and economic wellbeing,” she said.

ENDS

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389