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The challenge of being the top class for attendance is no obstacle for Kelso State School prep students, with the winning Try for 5! class receiving a special visit from North Queensland Toyota Cowboys U20s player Hiale Roycroft recently.

Proudly sponsored by Sun Metals, the Kelso youngsters – leaders of the fortnightly intra-school challenge – participated in an outdoor obstacle course and received special lunch bags as a reward for being in the top classes for attendance.

Designed to address short and long term impacts of students missing foundation learning in their primary years through poor school attendance, the program engages, motivates and rewards individual classes and schools for improving their attendance record during the challenge period, and engages students and families using the club's profile and ambassadors.

Cowboys general manager – community Fiona Pelling said participating schools had seen significant improvements in parent and student engagement, largely due to the dedication of the school Try for 5! coordinators, and for Kelso State School, Sun Metals whose management and staff have a commitment to supporting regional education.

“While the initiative aims to positively leverage the Cowboys brand and the influence rugby league has with this particular age group, its success wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiasm and passion shown by the teachers and principals involved in the program,” Pelling said.

Kelso State School has taken its commitment to raising attendance rates to another level, visiting families experiencing low school attendance on Friday afternoons, to encourage a support network to get kids to school.

Try for 5! is structured to reinforce a positive school culture, communicate high expectations of attendance, and record and follow-up student absences and provide support where required.

More info >>> Try for 5! school attendance challenge

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North Queensland Cowboys respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.