Published Monday, 29 January, 2007 at 01:49 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
QUEENSLAND PREP STUDENTS MAKE HISTORY
More than 29,000 children made Queensland history today when they arrived for their first day of the Prep Year at schools right across the State.
Premier Peter Beattie and Education and Training Minister Rod Welford celebrated the occasion by meeting new Prep recruits at North Lakes State College, north of Brisbane.
“Prep will have a significant impact on the future of Queensland,” Mr Beattie said.
“It will give young Queenslanders the best possible start to their schooling and provide a solid foundation to build their lives and future successes on,” he said.
“For the past four years we’ve been working on the infrastructure, curriculum, legislation and policy framework to implement and support this important education initiative.
“A specially designed curriculum based on cutting-edge research, along with expert teachers and classrooms created just for Prep will give these kids a great start.
“Getting ready for Prep has also meant we’ve taken on one of the largest ever capital works programs in education’s history.
“There are 416 new classrooms and 420 refurbished existing classrooms, as well as 1000 minor upgrades of pre-school classrooms and small schools.
“The introduction of the new Prep Year in all State and non-State schools is a major investment in increasing educational opportunities for young Queenslanders.”
Mr Welford said the State-wide introduction of Prep followed a successful four-year trial and phase-in program involving more than 120 schools.
“Evaluations of the Prep program have been carried out in trial schools across Queensland over the past four years,” Mr Welford said.
“Principals, prep teachers and teacher aides in State schools have undergone specialist training to ensure they are equipped to deliver the new curriculum, with more than $2 million allocated for professional development programs and $15.8 million for curriculum resources,” he said.
“We have also employed about 100 new teachers to support the introduction of Prep.
“Prep classes will use the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines which feature an active learning approach, based on inquiry and play, and are designed to provide the foundation that each child needs for success in Years 1 to 3.
“The trials show that attending class for five full days a week has enabled students to experience a wider variety of routines, develop their attention and concentration, and maintain their interest in learning, ensuring they are better prepared for the transition to Year 1.”
Children born between January 1 and 30 June 2002 are eligible to begin Prep in 2007.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 32371000
Premier Peter Beattie and Education and Training Minister Rod Welford celebrated the occasion by meeting new Prep recruits at North Lakes State College, north of Brisbane.
“Prep will have a significant impact on the future of Queensland,” Mr Beattie said.
“It will give young Queenslanders the best possible start to their schooling and provide a solid foundation to build their lives and future successes on,” he said.
“For the past four years we’ve been working on the infrastructure, curriculum, legislation and policy framework to implement and support this important education initiative.
“A specially designed curriculum based on cutting-edge research, along with expert teachers and classrooms created just for Prep will give these kids a great start.
“Getting ready for Prep has also meant we’ve taken on one of the largest ever capital works programs in education’s history.
“There are 416 new classrooms and 420 refurbished existing classrooms, as well as 1000 minor upgrades of pre-school classrooms and small schools.
“The introduction of the new Prep Year in all State and non-State schools is a major investment in increasing educational opportunities for young Queenslanders.”
Mr Welford said the State-wide introduction of Prep followed a successful four-year trial and phase-in program involving more than 120 schools.
“Evaluations of the Prep program have been carried out in trial schools across Queensland over the past four years,” Mr Welford said.
“Principals, prep teachers and teacher aides in State schools have undergone specialist training to ensure they are equipped to deliver the new curriculum, with more than $2 million allocated for professional development programs and $15.8 million for curriculum resources,” he said.
“We have also employed about 100 new teachers to support the introduction of Prep.
“Prep classes will use the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines which feature an active learning approach, based on inquiry and play, and are designed to provide the foundation that each child needs for success in Years 1 to 3.
“The trials show that attending class for five full days a week has enabled students to experience a wider variety of routines, develop their attention and concentration, and maintain their interest in learning, ensuring they are better prepared for the transition to Year 1.”
Children born between January 1 and 30 June 2002 are eligible to begin Prep in 2007.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 32371000