Queensland's resources boom provides a unique opportunity for all Queenslanders to benefit for years to come, particularly our children and young people.

The State Government has launched a proposal paper, From Mines to Minds: A Queensland Education Trust, to establish a multi-billion dollar Queensland Education Trust using 50 per cent of royalties from Liquefied Natural Gas projects to provide additional education and training opportunities for the next generation.

Options for the Queensland Education Trust include:

• Establishing Individual Trust Accounts for Education - every child born on or after 1 July 2012 would have a nest egg valued between $7800 and $9500 when they turn 18; or

• Establishing a Dedicated Education Fund - an investment fund where the proceeds would be reinvested by government in education and training initiatives beyond the basics throughout the schooling years and potentially beyond.

You are invited to have your say on the proposed Queensland Education Trust and how it should operate at a community forum, to be held at the following locations:

Cairns State High School -Wednesday February 1 2012 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm (The forum will be hosted by the Honourable Curtis Pitt, Minister for Disability Services, Mental Health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Member for Mulgrave. A light supper will be served.)

Townsville State High School, 36 Boundary Street, Townsville- Tuesday, February 7, 2012 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. (The forum will be hosted by the Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe, Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining. A light supper will be served.)

Brisbane South community forum, to be held at Mount Gravatt State High School- Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. (I will have pleasure in hosting the forum. A light supper will be served.)

Gold Coast community forum, to be held at Varsity College, 198 Varsity Road, Varsity Lakes- Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. (The forum will be hosted by the Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining. A light supper will be served.)

Rockhampton community forum, to be held at Rockhampton State High School, Campbell Street, Rockhampton, on Thursday, February 9, 2012 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. I will have pleasure in hosting the forum. A light supper will be served.

To learn more and register your interest in attending the community forum visit the Queensland Government website at www.educationtrust.qld.gov.au.

The Government looks forward to hearing your views and discussing this exciting proposal with you at the community forum.

Yours sincerely

CAMERON DICK MP

Minister for Education and Industrial Relations

31 January 2011

The final 14 schools have been selected to take part in the Year 7 into high school pilots. 20 schools in total will take part in the the trials

The following 20 schools have been selected:

• Murrumba State Secondary College, Murrumba
• Springfield Central State High School, Ipswich
• Varsity State College, Gold Coast
• Crows Nest State School, Darling Downs
• Glenmore High School, Rockhampton
• The new high school planned for Eimeo Road, Mackay
• Clifton State High School, Darling Downs
• Glenden State School, Central Queensland
• Toolooa State High School, Gladstone
• Northern Beaches State High School, Townsville
• Southport State High School
• Alexandra Hills State High School
• Cleveland District State High School
• Meridan State College, Caloundra
• Bray Park State High School
• Nambour State High School
• Bremer State High School, Ipswich
• The Gap State High School
• Gordonvale State High School
• The new Pimpama secondary school

The schools chosen represent a cross-section of school types and will ensure that the pilot provides a comprehensive range of data to inform the statewide move of Year 7 to high school in 2015.

25 November 2011

The timelines for the revised program are dependant on whether the school is:

a) continuing with your current arrangement (can be lodged up to 9 December 2011);

b) expanding your current arrangement (the expansion round will be conducted in two opening periods - Opening 1 opens 20 October 2011 12.00 pm AEST and must be submitted by 8.00 pm AEST on 22 December 2011 and Opening 2 opens 5 January 2012 12.00 pm AEST and must be submitted by 8.00 pm AEST on 2 March 2012);

c) applying for the first time (expressions of interest are due 5:00 pm Friday 16 December 2011 AEST).

For Guidelines please visit http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/NSCSWP/Pages/GuidelinesandDocuments.aspx

15 November 2011

The Queensland Government has developed important tips for parents to help support children during the dangerous weather season. With the season upon it, this timely information can help with children's anxiety about the weather and the upcoming anniversaries.

click here 

07 November 2011

As a result of the government's recent review of public holiday allocations the Premier has announced the following changes:

• The Queen's Birthday holiday will be moved to first Monday in October
• One-off Queen's Diamond Jubilee holiday to celebrate on June long weekend
• Student free days will not be spread over terms and some will help create two-week Easter break
• Students and teachers will get one extra day of holidays
• Extra public holiday when Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day fall on weekend

"Queenslanders have voted overwhelmingly in favour of moving the Queen's Birthday public holiday to the second half of the year," Ms Bligh said.

These changes reflect the feedback provided by QCPCA on behalf of our members. Thank you to all those who contributed.

For more information about the changes click on the following link: www.justice.qld.gov.au

07 November 2011