Around 34,000 Government school students are returning to Territory classrooms today.
This year 2,575 pre-schoolers and 2,600 transition students will start their schooling journey.
More than 200 new teachers and 22 principals will also officially commence their NT schooling career as well.
The Territory Labor Government is focused on providing the best start to schooling in 2024, with a $1.37 billion education budget invested into improving school services and programs, infrastructure, and easing cost of living.
Hundreds of students in the Barkly will today be boarding the regions first ever dedicated school bus service, making getting to school a whole lot easier across Greater Tennant Creek.
Students at Dripstone Middle School will kick off the school year with a new $2 million STEM Centre unveiled late last year, a Kiss-n-Go Car Park will improve safety for students and efficiency for parents at Bakewell Primary School, while the Back to School Payment Scheme increased to $200 per student assists all families right across the NT.
Road users are reminded that school zones are in force as of tomorrow. School zones are signed and are generally set to 40km/h limits between 7am and 5pm on school days. Police can and do monitor school zones and issue infringements.
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister, Eva Lawler:
"Today is a very special day for many families with children beginning an incredibly important chapter of their lives.
"I know this back to school period can be stressful and expensive, that is why the Territory Labor Government continues to support families through increased $200 Back to School Vouchers, $100 sports vouchers, new bus services and quality educators.
"Good luck to all students for the 2024 school year, but especially for our students starting their schooling life and those in year 12 who are about to embark on the final year of their High School journey."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Mark Monaghan:
"The Territory Labor Government is committed to investing in our students, as we know a good education gives young Territorians the correct tools to succeed in life."
"This year we have seen 210 new teachers and 22 new principals enter our schools alongside 34,000 students. Our Teachers, school staff and leaders do an incredible and very important job educating and engaging our children to become the best of their ability, for that I thank you all.
"Good luck to each and every student heading back to school today, the importance of going to school each and every day cannot be understated.
Quotes attributable to Bakewell Primary School Principal, Ali Brady:
"Bakewell Primary teachers and staff are prepared for and looking forward to starting the new school year.
"We have been working to strengthen our Explicit Instruction Teaching Framework and provide students with real life skills to be critically curious about their world.
"As a new Principal, the focus of orderly learning environments and respectful relationships has been invigorated and we are looking forward to many community events including our school concert and Bakewell fair.
"This year we are particularly focused on enhancing teaching of reading through contemporary, evidence-based practices when learning phonics to build strong foundations for academic excellence.
"Being respectful, responsible and part of the solution is how our Bakewell community stay connected and caring of each other."
Northern Territory Government
