Cardwell State School is one of the oldest schools north of Townsville. It was established in 1870 and has been on the current site since 1885. The school is situated on the Bruce Highway overlooking Hinchinbrook Island, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Approximately 130 students currently attend the school from Prep through to Year Seven. Cardwell is approximately 165 km North of Townsville and is the southern most school in the Tablelands/Johnstone District. Cardwell is a Reef Guardian School and, as such, all students from Prep to Year 7 are involved with units of work on the reef, covering such topics as reef awareness, conservation, protection and best environmental practices. All the Key Learning Areas are catered for within a K.L.A. framework. There is a strong focus on literacy and numeracy across the school; however all the Essential Learnings are covered from Prep through to Year7. Learning Support and Pastoral care is offered weekly, as are specialist lessons in both music and physical education. We enjoy good community support and an actively involved Parents and Citizens Committee which helps in providing both resources and direction for the school.