More than 1600 of Queensland’s best and brightest teaching minds have gathered in Brisbane for a leader’s conference to discuss the future of education in the state.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk addressed the 2019 Principals’ Conference reiterating her government’s commitment to education and investing in school infrastructure to support growth in our communities.
“My government is leading from the front and creating a world-class education for all students in Queensland, wherever they live,” the Premier said.
“We’re spending $14 billion on education and training and building eight new schools worth more than $400 million and our 2020 Ready program is meeting the demands created by having six full levels of students in Queensland’s secondary schools for the first time.
“For this new school year, we’ve recruited more than 1500 new teachers, and we’re on track to meet our commitment to employ more than 3,700 additional teachers over four years.
“We’re also investing more than $81 million to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in state primary schools, skilling the students of today for the jobs of tomorrow.”
The Premier also addressed the complex issue of cyberbullying and the challenges our school communities are facing.
“There is not one thing we can do to address cyberbullying, we have to do everything,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Schools have a role but so do parents and the community as a whole.
“That is why I established the Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce last year and released the Taskforce report and the Government’s Response in October 2018 including $3.5 million in funding.
“The new advisory committee will meet for the first time at Parliament House tomorrow.”
Minister for Education Grace Grace formally launched the Teaching Queensland’s Future Strategy (TQF) on day one of the 5th biennial conference.
“It’s wonderful to announce this five-year, $136 million strategy to employ and retain highly capable teachers and principals now and into the future,” Ms Grace said.
“Leading a school is an important yet demanding job which is why the Palaszczuk Government is investing in the wellbeing of our principals.
“This Strategy will make sure we put human resources where they’re needed most, giving our principals as much support as they need to do their job.
“We know that that the state of Queensland is making the most gains for students across Australia with the Grattan Institute labelling Queensland the Star Performer.
“There’s a high level of confidence in our public schools and this is thanks to the hard work and determination of our principals.”
Features of the TQF Strategy include a $10 million investment in the professional development of school leaders.
An $8 million partnership between the Department of Education and Australian Catholic University Associate Professor Philip Riley will be funded, delivering a multi-faceted range of initiatives.
A partnership between Headspace, the Department of Education and Queensland’s state principal’s associations will be extended, increasing to $500,000 a year in recurrent funding.
Queensland Association of State School Principals President Leslie Single applauded the partnership with Professor Riley.
“This partnering clearly demonstrates a recognition by the Government of the importance of working together with school leaders to ensure that every Queensland state school is a great school.”
Queensland Secondary Principals Association President Mark Breckenridge welcomed the overall TQF investment.
“This announcement recognises the importance of principal wellbeing in building healthy and successful school communities across Queensland.”
Queensland Association of Special Education Leaders (QASEL) President Roselynne Anderson said she was thankful for the Minister’s support.
“QASEL has been advocating for real support for principals’ wellbeing for some years,” Ms Anderson said.
“The Minister has listened, and more importantly, heard the reality of the challenges for our Special School Principals and all of our very dedicated and passionate disability education leaders.”
The conference wraps up on Wednesday.
