From 2015 Year 7 will become the first year of high school in Queensland.
This change is part of an exciting 10-year journey of reform. It follows the successful introduction of a Prep year in 2007. In 2008 the entry age for Year 1 was raised by six months, bringing Queensland into line with other states.
Moving Year 7 is a significant reform that will benefit students at all Queensland schools. We consulted widely before introducing this change, which is supported by Queensland's state, Catholic and independent school sectors.
By 2015 more than half the children in Year 7 will turn 13. Educators agree that young teenagers are ready for greater independence and the depth of learning that high schools provide, which is why in most other states and territories Year 7 is already the first year of high school.
Introducing a Prep year in 2007 greatly benefited our children and they now enjoy an additional year of schooling. By 2015 Queensland Year 7 students will be in their eighth year of school, and this is the right year for high school to begin.
It makes sense that teenagers should be in high school. As 13-year-olds they are becoming more independent. Teenagers are ready for the challenges of high school which provides the best environment for academic, emotional and social development. The majority of states and territories, including New South Wales and Victoria, have had Year 7 in high school for a long time. Currently only South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland have Year 7 as the last year of primary school.
In December 2011 the Western Australian Government announced that from 2015 Year 7 in all public (state) schools would become the first year of secondary school. The majority of non-government schools in Western Australia already have Year 7 in secondary, along with eight Western Australian public secondary schools and 55 district high schools around the state.
From 2012 Queensland is adopting the new Australian Curriculum for the subjects of English, mathematics and science. Every Australian school student will learn this core national curriculum. In high school, our Year 7 students will have access to specialist resources, such as science labs and teachers.
We are managing this important change to our education system with exceptional care. This is why we will pilot Year 7 in 20 state high schools before 2015. To ensure a smooth transition, the Queensland Government has planned a comprehensive package of measures, backed by significant financial resources for state, Catholic and independent schools.
The government will provide substantial additional funding to upgrade facilities at state, Catholic and independent schools to ensure classrooms and other learning environments are the best they can be, and give students the learning opportunities they need.
State school teachers will be supported through a comprehensive professional development program and scholarships for further qualifications. Extra funding that Catholic and independent schools will receive may also be used for professional development.
Moving Year 7 to high school is part of wider improvements to our education system. From 2013, Years 8 and 9 will become Junior Secondary in all state schools, with Year 7 becoming part of Junior Secondary in 2015. We will strengthen support for students in Years 7, 8 and 9.
Catholic and independent schools will also ensure Year 7 students moving to high school are well supported.
There will be a strong emphasis on pastoral care for our students, and parents will be encouraged to become even more involved in their children's schooling in the high school years.
Families living in rural and remote parts of the state have a number of choices when it comes to the best educational options for their children.
Where there is no local school close by, geographically isolated families may opt for their children to attend boarding school, live with a relative closer to a school, live in a student hostel, or use distance education.
The Queensland Government recognises this and has committed to providing rural and remote families with the support they need. This includes increasing the Living Away From Home Allowance for Year 7 students to the secondary student rate.
This page was last reviewed on 23 November 2011
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2011.