The Art of Attendance program was designed by the NSW Department of Education and sponsored by NSW Sport and Recreation as a way to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

NSW Department of Education attendance officer and program co-ordinator Troy Lenihan said part of the program involved engaging students with local police and the PCYC.

“The 11 students have designed and decorated a sport and recreation trailer which will be donated back to the PCYC for the local community to use,” he said.

“The program includes cultural activities, addresses non-attendance and looks at issues and barriers kids face in and outside of school.

“The program ran over a school term and really aims to teach students the importance of school.”

Mr Lenihan said because of the program’s success they hoped to implement the program in other schools across the Shoalhaven next year.

“It has been really beneficial and we have seen the positive impact the program has had,” he said.

“If you’re not achieving that then you’re not really capturing the goal.”

NSW Police Aboriginal community liaison officer Ben Wellington said he helped connect with the students by writing a hip-hop song about truancy.

“It’s about the effects and consequences skipping school has on a student and teenager,” he said.

“Next year we hope to create a short film to further engage students and positively reinforce the importance of education.”

The program included students from years 7 and 8.