CLARKSON Community High School students last week welcomed visiting youth mentor David Gunter, who talked about the importance of attending school and handed out prizes with the Student Edge team.

Mr Gunter, who once lived on the streets and associated with criminals, talked to students about his teenage years.

“At 15, I was a troubled high school dropout. I’d been expelled from two schools and had been kicked out of home, forced to sleep on the beach – my life was headed for serious trouble,” he said.

“Three of my best friends went to prison and I began to see life was no longer a game and decided to get back on track.”

Mr Gunter became a top fraud investigator and his experience working in maximum security prisons encouraged him to become a youth mentor.

Student services co-ordinator Damian Croxford said Mr Gunter’s visit was part of the State Government’s ‘It all starts at school’ program, which was aligned with existing strategies at the school and had resulted in improved attendance.

“We have seen a big improvement in regular attendance in most year groups, including years 8 and 10, and a significant increase in the number of indigenous students who attend regularly,” he said.

Photo: David Gunter talks with students Amy Freeman, Rickale Mallard and Aleisha Johnston about the importance of education. Picture: Bruce Hunt