A dynamic young school principal in outback Queensland has a novel approach to ensuring her students turn up to classes.

Krystal Stanley, 28, is principal of Boulia State School where 41 children between kindergarten and year six are currently enrolled.

She picks them up each morning in a small bus donated by the local council.

"Attendance is one of our key initiatives and key priorities that we continually work on," Miss Stanley said.

"It changes by season and by term and you've got to be on top of your game, you've got to be keeping two steps ahead, so to speak."

Isolation means leaving home for high school

Getting the kids to school and keeping them there is one of the school's biggest challenges, especially given that once they reach year six, some consider dropping out all together.

The closest high school is 300 kilometres away in Mount Isa and in order to continue their education, students have just two options.

All students at Boulia State School received a 'Because Of Her We Can' shirt during NAIDOC Week this year. ( Facebook: Boulia State School )

They can attend Mount Isa School of the Air or, for greater opportunities, children must leave their families to attend boarding schools in Mount Isa, Ingham, Charters Towers, or Barcaldine.

It does increase the risk of some kids quitting, so Miss Stanley and the school, supported by the community, have a few strategies in place.

One is the Taste of Secondary School project where staff begin conversations with parents and students in term one of year six about life after Boulia State School.

"We know it's a scary process of going from a small country town like Boulia, which is their home, their whole life, and going to the city, living away from mum and dad," Miss Stanley said.

Inspired by father's own struggle

Miss Stanley, who was brought up by her truck driver dad from age 12, said she saw the challenges of literacy he faced every day.

"My dad is the reason I became a teacher. He can't read or write, and even to this day he struggles in life," she said.

"Dad is Aboriginal and he only went to school until he was in grade five but even then, he was a little bit mischievous at school, so was never really in the school room.

"The teachers back in those days would send him outside and he would go help the groundsman.

"I find him inspirational so that's why I became a teacher, because if I can help someone read and write, I think that's really important."

Krystal Stanley enjoys being part of children's lives as they grow and work their way through primary school. ( Facebook: Boulia State School )

Miss Stanley faced her own trials in becoming a teacher after leaving school at 15 and moving to Toowoomba with her then-boyfriend before coming home to Winton to complete years 11 and 12.

"High school wasn't easy for me," she said.

I had to work hard as I wasn't book smart, but my dad taught me to work hard and I could achieve anything in life.

"I had to work my bottom off to get good OP [and] was successful in obtaining the Pearl Duncan Scholarship to attend uni, otherwise I probably wouldn't have gone."

'Good morning Miss Stanley'

As part of the school's attendance strategy, every weekday morning, Miss Stanley climbs aboard the bus and drives her route around the town, picking up her students.

There are many initiatives in place at Boulia State School to encourage the children. ( Facebook: Boulia State School )

"Everything in Boulia is only a hop, skip, and a jump, but in terms two and three, when it's a lot colder, we noticed a big decrease in attendance," she said.

"The initiative was to get that ball rolling, be consistent with it to help in the terms when we notice the kids weren't coming to school.

"And to be honest, attendance has improved with the bus but also, the social formality of catching a bus.

"The kids have to know time management, they have to know what time to be ready, waiting on the footpath for me, they have to know road safety rules so they know not to wait on the road but up on the kerb.

"And when they get on the bus, they always say 'good morning Miss Stanley' and we have a little saying to ensure they put their seat belts on: 'Click, clack, front and back, so you don't give your head a whack', and off we go."

Students in years five and six take part in Global Languages Japanese lessons on Tuesdays. ( Facebook: Boulia State School )

Reviewers find school 'exceptional'

This week, two officers from the School Improvement Unit in Brisbane have been at the school undertaking an internal review.

What else is on at Boulia school? Leadership program

Leadership program Library lessons at council library

Library lessons at council library Homework club

Homework club Garden club in school garden with chooks and orchard and bush kitchen

Garden club in school garden with chooks and orchard and bush kitchen Bilbies playgroup

Bilbies playgroup Healthy breakfast and nutrition program

"I don't really like to blow my own trumpet, but [the officers] have said that the amount of learning opportunities, the wellbeing of staff, community, and students is exceptional," she said.

"I'm very proud to be the driver but I'm definitely not the only person who works hard and goes the extra mile.

"I've got a fantastic team under me so I do have to give credit to them [and] I have an amazing community who support me, so it makes my job easier."

Watching children grow

Rebecka Britton, a mother of four children at the school, said Miss Stanley promoted collaboration in Boulia.

"Krystal is determined and driven and passionate in her role at the school and within the community," Ms Britton said.

"She's extremely supportive, she is an above brilliant teacher and there are no obstacles outside her scope of achievement."

Chairing a meeting of the Student Council, with school leaders, sport captains and student council representatives. ( Facebook: Boulia State School )

Miss Stanley is set to marry her fiancé Jack Neilson, a third generation local cattle farmer, next year.

He works three jobs, so to spend more time together the pair spent the Easter holidays this year driving a roller on a road crew and sleeping under the stars.

Her loyalty to the community and the school is evident as she speaks, as is her love for her job.

"If I can be someone consistent in a child's life and watch them grow and aspire to be whatever they want to be in life, that's definitely my aim," she said.