On Thursday, Shoalhaven High recognised the importance of input from parents, community groups and local businesses, by holding a thank you morning tea.

There are more than 230 people who have been thanked by the school for their help in 2017, and though not all of them made it to the morning tea, they will each be issued with a certificate of appreciation.

Marie Barker, from Shine, an organisation that connects community members with young women in the school with aims to boost their self esteem, said it was a privilege to interact with the school.

“We feel honoured to be able to sew into these young girls, to make them feel values,” Mrs Barker said.

“They do have their walls up to start with, but it’s not long before they open up.

“We have become like a little family.

“We would like to thank the school for letting us in.”

Master Builders Association industry careers coordinator Steve Magner said he was working hard to prevent kids from dropping out before they had set themselves up with job prospects.

“I’m trying to break that bubble,” Mr Magner said.

“I help students to find pathways into trades, there’s a lot a careers adviser doesn’t cover.

“There’s a lot of talk about the ATAR losing its importance, I think schools need to be ranked on outcomes, on how many students go on to do a trade, or to study, rather than ATARs.”