A distance education program set up to encourage teenage students to complete their school certificate is also drawing adult learners back to the classroom in Baryulgil.

Members of the isolated community, north-west of Grafton, are studying for their HSC through the program, which is supported by Southern Cross School’s distance education centre.

Two days a week, 14 adult learners and high school-aged students attend Baryulgil Public School for a class known as the Nganyaa Learning Community.

Baryulgil Public principal John Duroux said the classes have “had a really positive effect on the community” and the students.

“Their self-esteem is higher, they’re more confident and the community is right behind it,” he said. “This has been made easier due to the fact that the Kindergarten to Year 6 students have been very flexible and welcoming.”

The school education director for Clarence, Ron Phillips, said the class was established last year to encourage high school students to complete their school certificate.

There was a trend where students from the mostly Aboriginal-populated community were leaving school due to difficulties they faced travelling to Grafton to attend the nearest high school. For some students the commute involved leaving home before 7am and not returning until close to 6pm.

Southern Cross School deputy principal David Cox said the class catered to all, “with students working on English literacy and adult learners working on photography, visual arts or Aboriginal arts”.

The class features videoconference sessions with the distance education centre in Ballina and students can get additional support by using the centre’s freecall number.

Mr Cox said about eight high school-aged students accessed the program and other distance education students from surrounding properties sometimes attended the class for tutorial support.

“[But] one of the nicest outcomes … was the interest of adult learners to actually become role models for the younger students,” he said.

Sloane Donnelly, 38, a casual administration assistant at Baryulgil Public School who is studying for her HSC, said the adult learners were setting a good example for the school’s 16 primary students.

“It makes it easier for kids when they see mum and dad learning and interested in learning,” she said.

Oswald Robinson, 39, also studying for his HSC, said: “We’re building self-esteem here in the community and trying to encourage young people to continue with their education.”