THE final bell has sounded for the school day.
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But the Oxley High Clontarf Academy students are still there getting an invaluable lesson which will set them up for life.
Clontarf operations office Athol Munro is leading a group of boys in a traditional Gomeroi dance in the school's quad.
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Mr Munro said it was all about teaching values which filter down into all aspects of life.
He has been involved in the program for about six years where he has seen a number of children grow into leaders with the skills and confidence to follow their dreams.
The Clontarf Foundation is a non-for-profit organisation which mentors Indigenous boys through high school while improving their "education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects".
The foundation recently received a $192,500 grant from the Greater Charitable Foundation to continue the roll-out of the program in seven regional areas including Tamworth.
It is aimed at areas where it will assist many at-risk male students who may otherwise have very low school attendance.
"Our ethos is all about getting in school and keeping them at school," Mr Munro said.
The program uses cultural lessons, sport and camps as an adjunct and drawcard to traditional education.
It also puts a focus on the boys gaining employment or entering further study after graduating from year 12.
The New England North West region has great strike rate in this department with up to 80 per cent of students hitting this goal.
Mr Munro put it down to "setting standards" and carrying them on into other aspects of life.
He also said it was valuable to have culture taught in setting like high school.
"There is already a strong cultural community in Tamworth, the culture of the Gomeroi people," he said.
"They see it a lot, so they can learn about what they are seeing as well."
The foundation's regional manager for NSW Hunter North West, Mick Riddle, said the program is making changes in Tamworth.
"We have seen first-hand how our program provides significant positive effects for participants in Tamworth when these young men complete school, participate in the workforce and improve their lifestyles," Mr Riddle said.
"Thanks to the continued support of the Greater Charitable Foundation, we have seen 30 students continue through to Year 12 and graduate from our program and expect that this latest round of funding will enable 90 students to participate in this life changing initiative."