SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER

School is out tomorrow for about 387,000 Queensland state school students from Pre-school to Year 9 who will begin their summer holidays.

Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, said they were the last of 496,000 state school students to start the annual summer school holidays.

Year 12 students finished in November, Years 10 and 11 students completed their studies earlier this month, and schools in western Queensland got an early mark last week.

“I would like to wish students a safe and happy holiday, and thank teachers and school staff for contributing to a productive and successful school year,” Mr Welford said.

“2006 has been a significant year for education in Queensland, and students, teachers and parents now have six weeks free of the daily school routine, and to prepare for the exciting opportunities of 2007.

“However, one area in which I encourage ongoing concentration during the holiday period is in the protection of school property.

“Recent fires at schools have highlighted the need for members of the community to be vigilant to help prevent damage to schools, which are essential community facilities. People who notice suspicious activity around their local school should contact the School Watch hotline on 131788.”

Mr Welford said he was proud of what had been achieved in education this year.

“The state's new 'learning or earning' laws came in to effect on 1 January 2006 heralding some of the most significant changes to senior schooling in recent history,” he said.

“Literacy, numeracy and technology initiatives received an enormous boost with a record $203 million in State Government funding, and guidelines were established for key issues such as behaviour and homework.

“New legislation was also passed providing a basis for a range of major reforms, including the universal availability of the Prep Year in 2007 and increasing the compulsory school age in 2008.”

Mr Welford said that, while 2006 has been a year of significant achievement and advancement in education, 2007 promised to deliver even greater benefits for students and opportunities for teachers.

“For example, next year will see the full implementation of the new Prep Year and the opening of two new Queensland Academies for our best and brightest students,” he said.

Media Contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985