Published Tuesday, 30 January, 2007 at 02:09 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
PREMIER LAUNCHES NEW SMART STATE ACADEMY
Queensland’s first Smart State Academy providing opportunities for the best and brightest students in Mathematics and Science has been officially opened in Brisbane by Premier Peter Beattie today.
Mr Beattie said the new Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology at Toowong pushed the boundaries of senior education.
“This innovative approach to senior schooling breaks new ground and reflects our Smart State philosophy,” he said.
“It opens a new era for education in Queensland where senior school students have an opportunity to accelerate their studies and take advantage of tertiary links.
“The Academy will have an internationally-recognised curriculum, industry partnerships, and links with the University of Queensland.
“In this, the first year of its operations, the Academy has 242 students taking subjects for Year 10 and Year 11.
“There will be a bigger student population in 2008 when Year 12 commences for the first time.”
Mr Beattie said the Academy incorporated an array of technological innovations which would give students new learning opportunities.
“This is the only state school in Queensland with a wireless campus – students can use online technologies wherever they are on the campus,” Mr Beattie said.
“Students will be using a graphic Tablet PC – a special notebook computer - instead of traditional notebooks for all their subjects.
“There are purpose-built state of the art science laboratories designed in collaboration with the University of Queensland.”
Mr Beattie said other cutting-edge features included:
• Computer and power outlets carved into sandstone boulders in the school courtyard to enable students to work on computer packages;
• Smart cards which allow students to access science laboratories and other academy facilities after hours; and
• Close links to the University of Queensland, allowing students to work on robotics, biomedical, forensic science and gene technology.
Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, said the innovative learning environment for the Academy students would give them every opportunity to achieve their potential.
“There are tremendous opportunities for students - they can fast track their learning and combine their schooling with tertiary studies,” Mr Welford said.
“Students will benefit from close links with the University of Queensland and an enriched program that enables them to accelerate their education.
“By undertaking the International Baccalaureate diploma, students will have a senior schooling qualification recognised around the world.
“We have invested $10.5 million to get the Academy up and running and I want to acknowledge the Commonwealth’s support of $9.5 million.”
Mr Welford said the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries at Kelvin Grove was also commencing operations for Year 10 and Year 11 students.
“The Creative Industries Academy will operate out of temporary accommodation at the Kelvin Grove campus of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) with a 2007 enrolment of 91 students,” he said.
“We will be able to offer more places next year when Year 12 commences and our permanent facilities are complete.”
The State Government is also developing a Gold Coast-based academy focusing on allied health which is due to commence in 2009.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Education Minister’s office 3235 4593
January 30, 2007
Mr Beattie said the new Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology at Toowong pushed the boundaries of senior education.
“This innovative approach to senior schooling breaks new ground and reflects our Smart State philosophy,” he said.
“It opens a new era for education in Queensland where senior school students have an opportunity to accelerate their studies and take advantage of tertiary links.
“The Academy will have an internationally-recognised curriculum, industry partnerships, and links with the University of Queensland.
“In this, the first year of its operations, the Academy has 242 students taking subjects for Year 10 and Year 11.
“There will be a bigger student population in 2008 when Year 12 commences for the first time.”
Mr Beattie said the Academy incorporated an array of technological innovations which would give students new learning opportunities.
“This is the only state school in Queensland with a wireless campus – students can use online technologies wherever they are on the campus,” Mr Beattie said.
“Students will be using a graphic Tablet PC – a special notebook computer - instead of traditional notebooks for all their subjects.
“There are purpose-built state of the art science laboratories designed in collaboration with the University of Queensland.”
Mr Beattie said other cutting-edge features included:
• Computer and power outlets carved into sandstone boulders in the school courtyard to enable students to work on computer packages;
• Smart cards which allow students to access science laboratories and other academy facilities after hours; and
• Close links to the University of Queensland, allowing students to work on robotics, biomedical, forensic science and gene technology.
Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, said the innovative learning environment for the Academy students would give them every opportunity to achieve their potential.
“There are tremendous opportunities for students - they can fast track their learning and combine their schooling with tertiary studies,” Mr Welford said.
“Students will benefit from close links with the University of Queensland and an enriched program that enables them to accelerate their education.
“By undertaking the International Baccalaureate diploma, students will have a senior schooling qualification recognised around the world.
“We have invested $10.5 million to get the Academy up and running and I want to acknowledge the Commonwealth’s support of $9.5 million.”
Mr Welford said the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries at Kelvin Grove was also commencing operations for Year 10 and Year 11 students.
“The Creative Industries Academy will operate out of temporary accommodation at the Kelvin Grove campus of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) with a 2007 enrolment of 91 students,” he said.
“We will be able to offer more places next year when Year 12 commences and our permanent facilities are complete.”
The State Government is also developing a Gold Coast-based academy focusing on allied health which is due to commence in 2009.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Education Minister’s office 3235 4593
January 30, 2007