Taking part in the program for their 4th year, Townview's recent Under-8's Day showed how the school working far beyond the classroom to get students through their school gates.

Improving school attendance is "everybody's business" according to Townview State School's head of wellbeing, Laura Gavin.

"Our students definitely thrive on any opportunity to get out on the field with professional footballers, and we find Cowboys visits are something our parents engage with too," Ms Gavin said.

"We've got really good families here, but I do understand some of our families may have had bad experiences with education and there might be a bit of resistance in coming to school or engaging with staff, so tying it in with the Cowboys is big for us."

At Townview for the event was North Queensland Gold Stars captain and program ambassador Romy Teitzel.

Ms Gavin said it was an opportunity to bring parents in, bring outside agencies like police and firies in and get everyone together to celebrate.

"I think to see a female footballer out here is amazing for them, but even just for our girls who maybe aren't into sport, having that female empowerment is so important for them in seeing what's possible."

Students enjoyed a range of activities for Under-8s Day celebrations including an obstacle course, painting, arts and crafts and a treasure hunt, with the kindy's involvement introducing and getting kids used to the school environment from a young age.

Try for 5! strives to immerse students and their families in the program message of "school every day", with the whole of community approach aiming to remove difficult obstacles.

"Some of our older students do have a lot of responsibility within their family to get their younger siblings to school, which is really hard on them because sometimes they're fighting with themselves to get to school," Ms Gavin said.

"That's incredible to do at the age of 12."

Students who attend school five days per week go into the running to win fortnightly prizes, with special family prizes and end of term prizes also up for grabs to provide further incentive.

Pancake Tuesday is also running at the school for the remainder of term 2, offering free breakfast to every student who attends school that day.

Staff at the school attend weekly attendance meetings to identify trends in data and individual students who need extra help and encouragement.

The Try for 5! program is partnering with 14 schools across North and Far North Queensland in 2022, addressing short and long term impacts of students missing foundation learning in their primary years through poor school attendance.

- originally published at cowboys.com.au

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