By JONATHON HOWARD
SOUTHERN Downs’ students went back to school this week for what will be a jam-packed third term.
Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said that after a busy first semester schools could look forward to some exciting new initiatives in the second half of the year.
“Last semester we farewelled five lucky Queensland high school students who travelled to Gallipoli and the Western Front as part of the inaugural Premier’s Anzac Prize,” Mr Langbroek said.
“These students shared in some incredible experiences and from today (8 July), students from all schools, state and non-state will have the opportunity to nominate for next year’s trip.
“Students are required to research and prepare a multimedia presentation about how the Anzac tradition shaped our nation, why it is still important and how future generations can contribute. Entries close on 20 September 2013.”
Mr Langbroek said that the second of the Newman Government’s Independent Public Schools (IPS) initiative would also open this term, giving schools the opportunity to have increased control over decision-making and cut red tape with greater autonomy and flexibility.
“We’ll be calling for expressions of interest from state schools that want to become an IPS from 2014, adding to the existing 26 schools opened at the start of this year.
Mr Langbroek said the new $4 million Step up into Education transition to school initiative also kicked off this week (first week of Term 3).
“The four-year project is designed to strengthen children’s school readiness and encourage parents to become involved in their children’s learning,” he said.
“We know the early years are the most important in terms of a child’s learning and that’s why we are working to make sure our youngest are better prepared for when they start school.”
“The Department is also supporting Kidsafe’s Safety in Schools week, on 26-30 August, to encourage students to recognise issues that may cause preventable accidents.”
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Term 3 highlights:
NAIDOC Week events and the official launch of Solid partners Solid futures Indigenous action plan;
Launch of the Women in Resources strategy;
The Duke of Edinburgh Awards;
Release of the Queensland Schools Planning Commission report and 20 Year Demand Map;
The Department of Education, Training and Employment’s EKKA stand;
Queensland Core Skills Tests;
Announcement of the Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools Regional Finalists;
Release of NAPLAN results;
Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage spectacular;
52nd Annual Queensland Training Awards.
