A Rockhampton-based study is seeking ways to help Indigenous students progress beyond their junior high school years.

ABS data shows Indigenous students have been twice as likely as others to leave school before the end of Year 10 and half as likely to complete Year 12.

It is important to change this pattern across Australia, since education and literacy are vital to help people engage with society and avoid welfare reliance.

CQU researcher Dr Danielle Helbers said it was common for Indigenous students to thrive in primary school and then struggle in junior high.

For this reason, 50 students from 10 Rockhampton district schools (public and private) are being tracked from Year 7 through to Year 10. Data is also being collected from families, teachers and principals.

The research team includes Dr Helbers (from CQU’s Centre for Social Science Research) and Margaret Hornagold and Sue Hudson from Darumbal Community Youth Service.

Dr Helbers said the project aims to determine the factors that assist or hinder students from achieving their aspirations held at the end of primary school.

“It is also an action research project, and as such, if there are concerns about students now, this project will enable the research team to work with schools to devise strategies and solutions,” she said.

The research team has gained funding from Education Queensland to start the project but it is keen to broaden its funding support and involve other organisations to ensure the project can reach its full potential.

Caption: Researcher Danielle Helbers, research assistant Sue Hudson and Darumbal Community Youth Service manager Margaret Hornagold.