The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Try for 5! program is an intra-school challenge, designed to address short and long term impacts of students missing foundation learning in their primary years through poor school attendance.
Poor school attendance has been linked to lower academic outcomes, early school leaving, substance abuse, poverty, unemployment and negative health outcomes.
The program motivates and rewards individual classes and schools for their attendance record during the challenge period, and engages students and families using the club’s profile and ambassadors.
Try for 5! is structured to:
• Reinforce a positive school culture
• Communicate high expectations of attendance
• Record and follow-up student absences and provide support where required
Following up our 2020 win, Heatley students again came out on top in the Try for 5 challenge in 2021 - this year's challenge measured the improvement in attendance each week compared to 2020. Our prize - a signed & framed 2021 North Queensland Cowboys jersey!
In August 2021, Gavin Cooper co-hosted Chappy's pancake breakfast!
In 2020 - despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, Heatley won the Try for 5 challenge with Wulguru and Townsville West State Schools. Our prize - a signed & framed 2020 North Queensland Cowboys jersey - hangs proudly in the library where all students can enjoy it! Thanks to AON Australia for sponsoring the challenge.