General News
21 December, 2025
Small school, mighty results
LOWER Tully State School might be small but the community-minded primary school champions real resilience and celebrates individuality within a genuine team culture.
The school is a vibrant, forward thinking state primary school in Lower Tully, just 10km south-east of the township of Tully.
The school is lead by experienced principal Ms Cyndi Bowyer who has spent many years as an educator in both the Northern Territory and Queensland.
Sense of belonging
“We understand the importance of promoting positive culture, care and collaboration, focusing on the fact that children learn when they feel a sense of belonging, are happy and valued,” she said.
LTSS students are taught in two composite classes, both led by experienced senior teachers and operates successfully under the operandum of loyalty, tolerance, strength and success.
“We understand that we are all unique and celebrate our individuality. Whatever our students are passionate about, we encourage, and the success of this is reflected in their joy at being here at school,” Ms Bowyer said.
Relaxed nature
“Everyone who visits our school comments upon the relaxed nature and happy disposition of our students and I think this is because our staffing team feel this way too,” she said.
“Because we are a small school, we are privileged that we operate in an environment where we genuinely have the time and energy to truly invest in all of our students.”
Year 4-6 class teacher Rae Daniel said each class had a full-time teacher-aide. “Our teaching and non-teaching team know each student by name and know what their hobbies are, who their siblings are and how they spend their weekends,” she said.
This year, Lower Tully students have enjoyed numerous sporting events including hosting the annual Cassowary Coast Southern Zone District Athletics Carnival.
Variety of events
The 4-6 class enjoyed their camp at Daradgee Environmental Education Centre. LTSS hosted under-8s’ day, a science fair, multiple LTSS family breakfasts, a halloween disco, a create a scarecrow competition and an Easter bonnet parade.
Students enjoyed visits from Deadly Australians, renowned Indigenous performer Sean Choolburra (formerly of the Bangarra Dance Theatre), multiple school performance tours including ‘Ghana Beat my Drum’ and the Jelly Theatre Company’s ‘The Grumpiest Boy in the World’.
“Students recently were fortunate enough to meet Petero Civoniceva and Romy Teitzel of the Broncos and celebrate in their success. Having the opportunity to meet their sporting heroes in person is so important,” said Mr O’Brien, P-3 class teacher. LTSS is also a Reef Guardian School.
Many upgrades
The school secured significant federal and state funding to build a new upper school adventure playground and is currently having the amenities block refurbished, a new sports shed built and the basketball court is also being refurbished.
The school has an active P&C whose kind donations have afforded new iPads and desk top computers for students and LTSS is blessed to have kind volunteers who run a tuckshop each Thursday.
The school also runs a playgroup each Wednesday from 9-11am, run by teacher aide Leah Isaac.
Many upgrades
The school secured significant federal and state funding to build a new upper school adventure playground and is currently having the amenities block refurbished, a new sports shed built and the basketball court is also being refurbished.
The school has an active P&C whose kind donations have afforded new iPads and desk top computers for students and LTSS is blessed to have kind volunteers who run a tuckshop each Thursday.
The school also runs a playgroup each Wednesday from 9-11am, run by teacher aide Leah Isaac.
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