Minister thanks students and teachers for a great Term 2

Education Minister Kate Jones has wished Queensland students and teachers a relaxing winter break after a successful Term 2.

Minister Jones commended Queensland school students, teachers, staff and communities for their hard work in Term 2. 

“I recognise the big effort that students and teachers put in during Term 2 and they all deserve a well-earned break in preparation for a busy and productive second semester,” she said.

“I applaud students and teachers for their hard work, dedication and achievements which help make our state schools, great schools.”

Ms Jones said Term 2 highlights included:

• 21 state secondary and special schools received funding through the $8 million Collaboration and Innovation Fund (CIF).
• 150 teachers attended the Languages: Keys to the global village conference in May.
• Launch of Languages Innovation and Improvement Grants totalling $700,000 to build the capability of Queensland state schools in delivering high quality language programs.
• Launch of first Queensland primary school French-Australian bilingual program at Tingalpa State School.
• Establishing a team dedicated to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in state schools to help improve performance in these areas and encourage more students to choose STEM pathways in senior schooling and beyond.
• The Peter Doherty Awards have been expanded to become the Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education and now include new categories for Mathematics and Technology and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
• The Premier’s Reading Challenge is underway encouraging more students to read and improve literacy skills.
• Recognition of the Centenary of Anzac with 70 secondary school students rewarded with a trip to Gallipoli and the World War I battlefields of the Western Front as part of the Premier’s Anzac Prize.
• New teaching excellence standards, with Queensland state, Catholic and independent schooling sectors to adopt common standards to assess and evaluate teaching graduates
• Schools were encouraged in Term 2 to enter the Showcase Awards for Excellencein Schools, which celebrate innovative teaching practices in Queensland state schools and give schools the chance to share in more than $350,000 in development grants.
• In May, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sat the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).
• Nominations opened for the 2015 Jack Pizzey Awards for state schools, which recognise teachers and schools who help deliver excellence in state education. Nominations close on 17 July.
• Nominations opened for the Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art. Visual arts teachers have until 22 July to nominate their students.

Ms Jones said schools would return from holidays on Monday 13 July.

“During the holiday period I encourage the community to keep a close eye on our school properties and report any suspicious activity to 13 17 88 or the police,” she said.

Media contact: Minister Jones’ Office 3719 7530