Twenty-four Year 12 distance education students from across the Territory have come together this week to take part in the second residential program at the new Northern Territory School of Distance Education.

The residential program gives Year 12 students the opportunity to work with their teachers and peers in a face-to-face learning environment as they prepare for their final exams.

Principal of the NT School of Distance Education Marcia Harvey said “this is a critical component of the teaching and learning program for distance education students in their final year.”

“The main focus for this week is for students to work with teachers to complete any final coursework and prepare for exams,” Ms Harvey said.

“The program provides an excellent opportunity to enhance student engagement and enables collaboration between students who are in the same education situation.

“The co-location of the school with Darwin High School further enhances the social experiences for our distance education students with the use of gymnasium, science labs and school canteen.”

Students have travelled from remote parts of the Territory to participate in the program, including Yuendumu, Dundee Beach, Alyangula, Bathurst Island, Jabiru, Ngukurr, Lakefield Station near Katherine and Ambalindum Station near Alice Springs.

Year 12 student from Alyangula on Groote Eylandt Michael Gill said “we are all here for one reason – to finish our NTCET.”

“The residential program and the lessons involved are great and I really enjoy the extra opportunity for after school study as the teachers are able to concentrate on us completely,” Mr Gill said.

“We are able to make great use of our study time here in Darwin in this new facility which is pretty cool and in an amazing location.”

The new NT School of Distance Education was officially opened in August by the Northern Territory Government, in partnership with the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG project.

INPEX General Manager Darwin Sean Kildare said “the Ichthys LNG Project will be operating in the Northern Territory for at least 40 years and will continue to deliver opportunities for generations of Territorians.”

“Our investment in the NT School of Distance Education will help young Territorians, particularly those in the bush, access state of the art education systems to help reach their full potential,” he said.

Media contact: Kat Acampora – 0401 119 215