Mount Isa - School of the Air (SOTA)

If you live in town or  you are just passing through - make an effort to come into the Mount Isa School of the Air (SOTA).  You won't be disappointed - and you may learn some really interesting things.

I have a bit of a soft spot for any SOTA and all the kids who learn through the fabulous programs that are run by many dedicated teachers.  I spent many years growing up in Alice Springs, Central Northern Territory.  My school was located next to SOTA and quite a few times I would head over after school to talk with some of the kids at the end of my school day.

Queensland's first SOTA commenced operation in Cloncurry (approx 1 hours drive east from Mount Isa) in 1960 at the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS).  In 1964 the School moved to Mount Isa.

There is seven Schools of the Air, also known as Schools of Distance Education, in Queensland.  Mount Isa, Cairns, Charleville, Longreach, Charters Towers, Capricornia and Brisbane.

Schools of Distance Education aim to reduce the isolation of school children growing up on large working stations/properties, while allowing the kids to stay  home with their families rather than going to boarding school.

(NB:  to view a larger version of each image, please click or double click them)

Tours are run on School Days for $2 per person.  There is plenty of parking and alot to see.

Located on Abel Smith Parade, Mount Isa.

Ever wondered just how The School of the Air teaches its students?

Well, wonder no more.  Each student is sent printed lessons to work from.  Each school day, the students, in groups of 10, are contacted via phone for half hour lessons to supplement their printed material.  All teachers are qualified with several years of experience and are employed by the Department of Education, Queensland.

It was not all that long ago that students would be contacted via cb radio rather than the phone, as phone calls were too expensive.

Miss Bridget "Bid" O'Sullivan MBE was the First School of the Air teacher, when the school started in 1959.  It was officially opened in 1960.

In honour of Miss O'Sullivan and her contribution to the schooling of regional and remote students - Education Queensland started the Bid O'Sullivan Teaching Scholarship to assist Year 12 Students from Rural and Remote areas of Queensland, who have chosen Teaching as their career.  The scholarships were created to provide opportunities to enhance the number of Rural and Remote teachers in Queensland's education system.

This Scholarship has been in place since 1999.  Sadly, the Bid O'Sullivan Teaching Scholarship was cancelled in 2013.  All previous recipients of the scholarship will continue to be supported as per the agreement.  I find this to be such a shame.  Hopefully, one day, it will be reinstated.

More can be read on Bid here: http://www.australianworkersheritagecentre.com.au/10_pdf/bridget_osullivan.pdf

Each one of these tiles represents each of the Stations/Properties that utilise the services of School of the Air.  They have been painted by the kids of each station.

Close up of the Avon Downs tile.

Photos showing some of the kids in their 'classroom' and what their 'school' looks like.  Many of these kids will do their lessons outside under the closest tree as they could be droving with their family.  Others are lucky enough to have a dedicated room in the house and their classroom.

Some examples showing the work the SOTA Kids do.  Lessons cover all subject areas such as: Language, Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Health, Media, Research and Library.

Other lessons can also cover: Religious Instruction, Scouts of the Air, Music - inlcuding violin and recorder and eKindy for the 4yr olds.

Some examples of the Art projects the students get to complete.  I don't think art could get any cooler!!

The above image shows the front  of a great house as crafted by one of the students.  On the roof is a sign that says "Lift Carefully" (or words to that effect)

The Below image shows you what is inside!  I am not too sure why the cow is on the bed though!!

Despite the distance from the school, each year the kids will get to go on a 'school camp' with their classmates.  At the beginning of each school year Activity Days are run around the region, so that the kids, the parents and the teachers can all get together for a meet and greet and some fun before school gets really serious.

Throughout the Year, SOTA also holds "Mini Schools" in the region.  These are a week long affair for children, parents and teachers to get involved in various activities such as drama, science experiments, language games, swimming and dancing lessons.

The highlight of each school year is the "Sports Day" held in Mount Isa.  This event attracts over 170 children with their families to compete in various sporting events.  The Rotary Club of Mount Isa hosts a bbq for everyone the night before two days of 'games' begin.

The school also holds a Christmas BBQ at the end of the year and kids get to meet Santa and the Year 10 kids are given a farewell as they now embark on their Boarding School journey.

This map shows you the area which the school covers.  From the Northern Territory border in the west, North to the Gulf, West to Richmond, Birdsville in the South and Winton over to the South East.  All the pins in the above map show's you where the students of the school are located.  In total the area covered is 800,000 square km (approx 309,000m2)

It's a huge area don't you think!!!

Where do you live?  As you can see by this map - Australia is BIGGER than Texas!!!  The blue pin shows you the location of Mount Isa in relation to the rest of the country!  No - there is no beaches where we are!!

This page shows you just how far away "school" is for some kids - and that is why they use School of the Air.

From these properties there is approximately 200 children from 120 families from Prep through to Year 10 completing their schooling via School of the Air. When they complete Year 10 - most children will continue their studies at Boarding School.

This image gives you a better idea of just how big some of the stations are.
Currently (Oct 2013) this whole area is suffering from a terrible drought.
We are all very hopeful for some rain soon.
(To view this image better - please click on it to open in a new tab on your browser.)

Some of the items for sale, including a calendar of images taken by students, a cookbook of Family Favourite recipes, some stickers and other interesting items.  

For more information on The Mount Isa School of the Air head over to their website http://mtisasde.eq.edu.au/wcms/

All information in this blog was taken from the Tourist Information Brochure that can be found here: http://mtisasde.eq.edu.au/wcms/images/Tourist/tourinfo.pdf

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