Tambo's Outstanding Achievement

THE Federal Government has presented Tambo State School with an award for its fostering of student identity and academic performance.

Tambo was the only school in rural Queensland to receive a Highly Commended National Achievement Award, as part of the Federal Government’s National Awards for Quality Schooling.

School principal Brendan Smith was presented with the award and a $10,000 cash prize by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, at a special ceremony held at Parliament House in Canberra last week.
“I was very fortunate as principal to have the honour of receiving the award on behalf of the school, students, staff and community,” Mr Smith said.
“We are all extremely proud of this achievement.”

Mr Smith said the award recognised a program the school had developed to increase student’s identity within the community, as well as improve academic results.

“The theme of our submission focused on our Developing Positive Change program that has been gradually improving the school for the past two years,” Mr Smith said.

“The program includes lifting our school profile in the community, improving and creating a identity for the secondary school students, offering alternate career pathways, creating positive community relationships through student participation at events like Anzac Day, and focusing on strategies to lift and improve literacy confidence.
“We have seen great results, especially academically with student’s OPs [overall positions for tertiary entrance] increasing and an overall increased satisfaction with their school work and community involvement.”

The National Awards for Quality Schooling were presented to 80 schools from across Australia, including 13 from Queensland, and recognised outstanding achievement.

Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott congratulated Tambo State School for improving its community.

“Students produce higher standards of work when the entire school community has a high level of satisfaction and enthusiasm,” Mr Scott said.
“I am delighted to see Tambo State School receive the recognition it deserves and I join with the community in celebrating its achievement.”