About $500 was raised for the Cancer Council by staff through their own Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea last Thursday.

Deputy principal Janeen Fricke said the school had donated more than $5000 throughout the past decade to help those sick with cancer and fund research for a cure.

The money raised would help people like remote families affected by cancer and staff members and their spouses who had fallen ill with the disease.

“We have hosted this morning for a decade and raise about $500 each year,” Ms Fricke said.

Remote families and students, some based out of Mount Isa, also visited for the morning tea fun.

Ms Fricke said it was only fair plenty of cakes and hot drinks were offered given how well distance educators were looked after by families during remote visits.

The Mount Isa School of Air is one of seven distance education schools run by Education Queensland, Ms Fricke said.

The school has about 150 students, enrolled in kindy to year 10, who are taught via correspondence.

Principal Tim Moes said advances in technology meant distance education had changed significantly from when lessons were first transmitted via radio.

Black spots in internet coverage sometimes made teaching a challenge.

“It’s gone from radio to phone to internet,” he said.

“It’s been overwhelmingly positive but not without its frustrations.”

Students enrolled in the school are scattered across remote Queensland, south past Birdsville and in the Northern Territory.

One student is also based in Perth.

For more information about Mount Isa School of the Air, visit their web page here.