Congratulations on final day for Year 12s

More than 47,000 Year 12 students are about to take the first major step in their adult lives as they enjoy their last day of high school.

Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek today bid farewell to the students from across Queensland and congratulated them on their efforts.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for all our students, along with the parents, carers, teachers and school staff who have supported their education,” Mr Langbroek said.

“I also wish our Year 12s an exciting future and encourage them to follow their dreams.

“Completing secondary school education opens up a whole range of opportunities for further education and employment.”

Mr Langbroek said as at June this year, nearly 87 per cent of students who completed Year 12 in 2013 were either studying or in paid employment, with just over 39 per cent studying a Bachelor Degree.

“This is a great outcome for Queensland and the LNP Government has a strong plan to create a brighter future for all students,” he said.

“I remind Year 12s considering an apprenticeship, traineeship or Certificate III qualification next year that fee-free training is available in a number of high priority skill areas.

“In fact, the diverse list of skill areas which range from health, engineering and hospitality to mining and telecommunications has recently been extended.”

Ms Ainslie Thompson, 2013 Bundaberg State High School graduate, is now studying a Bachelor of Education at the University of Queensland with the help of a Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarship.

“I was inspired by my primary school principal to become a teacher and now I want to give back to my community by teaching Indigenous and non-Indigenous children,” Ms Thompson said.

Student Caitlin Farrant from Southern Cross Catholic College said she planned to celebrate the culmination of 12 years of schooling by helping those less fortunate.

“I’m travelling to Cambodia in December with a group of about 20 young people to work in a Lasallian school in Phnom Penh,” Ms Farrant said.

“We’ll be helping teach English to disadvantaged students and doing general maintenance jobs around the school and I’m excited about experiencing a new culture independently as a young adult.

“I believe that my formal and graduation ceremonies are celebrations enough for the end of year 12 and I would like to help others after finishing school.”

Minister Langbroek congratulated Caitlin Farrant and other students planning similar activities.

“I commend Caitlin and a number of other Year 12s who plan to mark this important event in their lives in such an inspirational and mature way,” Mr Langbroek said.

For the past two years, Caitlin has been a member of the apolitical Queensland Youth Parliament as the member for Pine Rivers and Kallangur and has been the Youth Minister for Health and Sport in 2014.

Year 12 results will be available in each student’s learning account on ‘Student Connect’, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s website, from 9 am on Saturday 20 December 2014.

Students should ensure they obtain their Learner Unique Identifier (LUI) and password from their school before the end of term, as schools will be closed when results are released.

The Student Connect website is www.studentconnect.qcaa.qld.edu.au and students will be able to access their results more quickly if they have previously activated their learning account.

Results and certificates will begin arriving in the mail from Monday 22 December 2014.

Further information on scholarships and grants is available from: www.education.qld.gov.au/hr/recruitment/teaching/scholarships.html

Those interested in the Year 12 graduate fee-free training should visit the quicklink at: www.training.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 21 November 2014

Media contact: 3237 1000

Photo opportunities with Year 12 student Caitlin Farrant and Pearl Duncan Scholarship winner Ainslie Thompson available on request.