Badu Island State School: The issues

Some of the reasons advanced by the community for this situation included:

• Students are too young at 12 going on 13 to live away from home.
  
  
• They experience homesickness and cultural shock from living on the mainland in boarding schools or student hostels.
  
  
• Lack of moral and social support at some mainland schools.
  
  
• The need for students to attend a number of cultural and community events throughout the year.
  
  
• Issues of general academic readiness and ability to cope with the next level of schooling.
  
  
• Issues of lack of ESL support in some mainland schools.
  
  
• Financial issues for some parents, including those of Papuan background who are unable to access ABSTUDY.