Bumper year for Queensland schools kickstarts new decade of learning

Education Minister Grace Grace has today welcomed in the 2020 school year, the start of what promises to be another exciting chapter for staff, students and their families.

“2020 is a milestone year for education in Queensland as we open eight new state schools across Queensland,” Ms Grace said.

“Excited students will be walking through the school gates for the first time at Fortitude Valley State Secondary College, Calliope State High School, Foxwell State Secondary College in Coomera, Mango Hill State Secondary College, Yarrabilba State Secondary College, Ripley Valley State School, Ripley Valley State Secondary College and Lee Street State Special School at Caboolture.

“This is the highest number of new Queensland state schools to open on one day in more than 30 years, and forms part of the Queensland Government’s record $1.46 billion investment in school infrastructure.

“Construction of these new schools has supported up to 1450 jobs, delivering on the Queensland Government’s commitment to not only create jobs but also provide high quality educational facilities for Queensland students.”

Ms Grace said 2020 was also a unique year as it would be the first year of six full cohorts in secondary schools and, therefore, the largest number of enrolments across the state.

“This week we will see more than 856,500 students heading back to school, the state’s highest ever overall enrolment count,” she said.

“More than 578,000 of the students are enrolled in our 1249 state schools, with the remaining 278,000 enrolled at Catholic or Independent schools.

“We will welcome six full secondary year levels in state high schools for the first time this year and thanks to our 2020 Ready investment, we are indeed ready and eager to welcome an expected additional 17,500 students.”

Ms Grace said the first day back at school is a great time to acknowledge the contribution of teachers, teacher aides, principals and other school support staff.

“As well as being a special day for students, their parents and carers, the first day of the new school year is also a day to celebrate our educators and support staff who do a tremendous job educating our next generation,” she said.

“53,000 teachers will be back in front of the classroom today

“More than 1,000 new teachers had been recruited for 2020 as part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to employ more than 3,700 extra teachers over four years.

“Another key milestone for 2020 is in senior education, with Year 12 students set to become the first to complete their senior schooling in the new Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) system,” she said.

“For these students, the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) will replace the Overall Position (OP) as the standard pathway to tertiary study.”

/Public Release. View in full here.