Heads down, thumbs up for school readiness day

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A group of first nations kids posing for a picture in SQoE
First Nations kids at the Back to School Resource Day

Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence (SQCoE) recently marked the third year of its transformative School Readiness Day, aimed at providing First Nations children from Prep to Year 12 with the resources and support needed for a successful school year. This annual event, in partnership with Kummara, addresses critical gaps in the educational and health services available to First Nations children in the community, ensuring they are equipped with everything they need to thrive both in the classroom and beyond.

The program was born from the desire to challenge the unfair labelling and disadvantage faced by First Nations children in the education system. Previous conversations between SQCoE and Kummara highlighted the need for a holistic approach to address barriers to school attendance and participation. The initiative focuses on ensuring that children are resourced with the necessary educational materials, undergo health screenings, and are referred for further services when required.

One of the program's primary goals is to remove roadblocks that could prevent children from attending school, including untreated vision, or hearing issues. By addressing these concerns early on, the School Readiness Day aims to ensure that First Nations children have the best possible start to their education, fostering equal opportunities for success.

“The main benefit of the program is that our children are not disadvantaged,” said Denise Hookey, Operations Director from SQCoE.

“We want to make sure that our children are not only receiving an education, but that they are positioned for success in life. By preventing disease and addressing health needs early, we’re setting them up to thrive in the long term.”

In addition to providing essential health screenings, such as vision and hearing tests, the event also offers a wide range of support services to families. This includes school resources from Kummara, as well as healthcare services from SQCoE’s team, including oral health workers, child health nurses, audiologists, and optometrists. The mental health team and community staff are also involved, helping to provide a wraparound support system that benefits both the children and their families.

Feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many families expressing relief over the practical support provided during such a financially challenging time.

“The high cost of living has been a significant burden for many, and the School Readiness Day has helped alleviate some of that pressure by ensuring that children have the tools and resources they need to succeed in school.”

“The feedback from families has been fantastic.”

“It’s clear that this event is making a real difference, not just for the kids, but for the whole family. It’s a day that brings the community together, where everyone works towards one goal—ensuring that our children have every opportunity to thrive.”

For Peter Carlo, who some of you may know as the artist who has adorned the walls of SQoE it was a good opportunity to get a checkup on all his grandkids all at the same time.

“The location, we know it and we’ve been here many times. It’s just a good chance to check them out and make sure they’re all good for school. Having them all come together is great and easier for me too,” said Peter.

“We get everything we need in one go, and we can find out about health stuff before it can impact them. It’s really important.”

Looking ahead, SQCoE is committed to continuing the program's growth, expanding its reach, and ensuring that even more children benefit from the support available. The goal is to maintain a focus on health prevention, engage families in both health and education, and continue fostering the positive community connections that have made the event so successful.

“Our hope is that we keep growing, supporting our families, and ensuring that our kids are set up for success,” said Denise.

“Every year, we’ve seen progress, and we’re excited for what the future holds for our children and the community as a whole.”

As School Readiness Day continues to expand, it stands as a powerful example of how targeted community support, collaborative partnerships, and a holistic approach to education and health can help First Nations children reach their full potential.