As hordes of year 12 students descend on Schoolies events around the country, one young man is celebrating graduation without any peers.

Travis Kennell, who was born and raised on the remote Groote Eylandt township of Angurugu, has just completed year 12.

And it is a landmark achievement for his small island community.

Although many locals have completed their education at mainland boarding schools, Travis is believed to be the first Angurugu local in generations to complete year 12 on the island.

It was only possible with a daily 18-kilometre commute to the nearby community of Alyangula, as the local school only offers vocational courses.

The remote township of Angurugu has a population of about 850 according to the 2017 Census. ( Supplied: NT Police )

Travis completed his high school certificate by distance education and his computer was his only classroom companion.

"Sometimes I'd find it hard just to keep focused and work," he told ABC Radio Darwin's Kate O'Toole.

He enlisted the help of teacher Melissa Moore when he needed to.

"I guess I was a contact between the NT School of Distance Education and our school here, liaising with his teachers, checking in that he got what he needed, nagging when he hadn't," Ms Moore said.

"We're extremely proud because it's an independent schooling that he's had to do."

Bucking the trend

Poor attendance rates have continued to dog the Northern Territory's remote schools.

Tabby Fudge from the NT Council of Government Schools estimated school completion rates for Indigenous students was less than half of those of their non-Indigenous peers.

"You've got so many things going against you," she said.

"You've got the cultural obligations and responsibilities that must take priority, English as a second or often even third or fourth language, and then transport to school can be a challenge."

There were times when Travis thought he might succumb to some of these challenges and barriers and not complete his senior year.

Then the death of a grandmother nearly derailed his plans to graduate.

"I kind of took a couple of days off for the funeral and all that, and I kind of got real sick afterwards as well," he said.

"I just figured that she'd want me to finish my schooling, so I stuck my head down and tried to get my work out of the way.

"I wanted to prove to my siblings that you can do anything if you put your mind to it."

A role model for kids in the community

Now he has completed year 12, schoolchildren in Angurugu think of Travis as a role model.

"All the kids know him. They look up to him," Ms Moore said.

"I can't emphasise enough that it doesn't matter where you live, what background you have, what your family's histories or past or skeletons are, you can achieve whatever you put your mind to."

Ms Moore said she was investigating career pathways that would make use of Travis's skillset.

Asked what he wanted to do with his future, Travis said he wasn't sure.

He has also completed a Certificate II in Conservation in Land Management under the stewardship of local rangers and is keeping his options open.