State schools are ready for historic Year 7 move

“We are ready!” is the message Benowa State High School is spreading along with more than 300 Queensland secondary schools as they prepare to welcome thousands of Year 7 students in 2015.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek congratulated the school community for its hard work in preparing for hundreds of new students in 2015.

“The Newman LNP Government is providing the facilities, teachers and resources to make sure all students receive a quality education,” Mr Langbroek said.

“It’s part of our strong plan to revitalise frontline services and improve outcomes for students.

“Moving Year 7 is a significant reform that will benefit students at all Queensland schools and with only a few weeks of the school year left, we want to assure the community that our schools are ready.

“The move brings us into line with almost every state or territory, with South Australia the only state in the country to still have Year 7 remain in primary school.”

Mr Langbroek said 271 Queensland schools, plus 38 special schools were finalising their preparations to welcome a double intake of students in Years 7 and 8 next year.

“We’ve delivered on more than 600 new classrooms and 1100 refurbished classrooms and recruited almost 1300 extra teachers for the Junior Secondary years,” he said.

“We’re ensuring that all Junior Secondary teachers – including those transitioning from primary settings – have access to quality professional development and educational resources.

“We’re also providing schools with direct grants which can be used for minor works or to purchase teaching and learning resources and IT devices and equipment. 

“This also includes grants to cover extra administration costs and to ensure further support for transitioning students with additional needs.”

Benowa State High School Principal Mark Rickard said his school’s new three-storey $6.72 million building will have a positive impact on the school’s learning environment, particularly for the 260 students who will start Year 7 in 2015.

“Our new building gives us a wonderful opportunity to engage in collaborative learning, which is something a bit different for the secondary environment,” Mr Rickard said.

“With 16 general learning areas, two flexible learning areas and space for project and collaborative work, our incoming Year 7 and 8 students will be able to engage in the sort of team work that is central to our Junior Secondary model.”

The Queensland Government is investing up to $640 million over four years on a series of education reforms which take in the move of Year 7 to high school. This includes a capital investment of up to $328 million in state school infrastructure and a further $110 million for the non-state sector.

Visit www.flyingstart.qld.gov.au for more information about the move of Year 7 to high school.

Fact sheet attached. 

[ENDS] 2 December 2014

Media contact: Amy Cobb 0418 996 503