Children attending this school travel from the Whitsunday Islands, Shute Harbour and Airlie Beach to the cane fields of Riordanvale and nearby localities.

Most people in the community are either directly or indirectly employed in industries which are in some way dependent on tourism or the cane industry. People often choose to live here because of the unique beauty of the Whitsundays, one of Australia’s leading tourist destinations. From the school one can look towards the Whitsunday Islands and the Coral Sea, the home of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

There is a strong partnership between Cannonvale State School and the parents/carers of its students. Parents are invited into the classroom to provide expertise and assistance with reading and other school activities. Parents are also invited each term to their child’s culminating activity which showcases both students’ and teachers’ achievements.

Workshops in literacy and numeracy are offered to parents throughout the year.

Parent involvement is also encouraged through the P & C Association.