Queensland Department of Education

Queensland Department of Education Visit facebook.com/TeachQLD

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🏫Connecting our state schools with families and communities. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Supporting your children through their educational journey.

👩‍🏫Teacher or aspiring teacher? Our primary role is to give all children a great start, engaging young people in learning, creating safe and inclusive workplaces and building Queensland’s communities.

Sing to us, Paolo!!! 🎤Say ciao to Leonard, who was a recipient of our StuditaliA Prize in 2025 and traded the classroom ...
12/06/2026

Sing to us, Paolo!!! 🎤

Say ciao to Leonard, who was a recipient of our StuditaliA Prize in 2025 and traded the classroom for a three-week Italian adventure. That’s truly what dreams are made of. 💫🌍✈️

From walking the streets of Italy to fully immersing himself in the language and culture, the Year 12 Kelvin Grove State College student said the experience pushed him beyond his comfort zone and helped him grow in ways he hadn’t expected.

'I was challenged to fully immerse myself and was able to rise to that challenge with the help of a truly top-tier teacher chaperone and a great bunch of young people,' Leonard said.

While he didn’t stumble upon a look-alike Italian pop star, he did make lifelong friends.

'I made lifelong friendships with both my group and my classmates. The StuditaliA Prize is for anyone passionate enough to make a difference and brave enough to put themselves out there.'

Is your child studying Italian in Year 11 or 12? The StuditaliA Prize could take them on an immersive study tour to Italy – a unique opportunity to enhance their language skills, delve into Italy's rich historical and cultural heritage, and forge meaningful connections with local institutions and communities.

📅 Applications for StuditaliA 2026 are open until 24 July 2026.

🔗 Apply and register at: https://education.qld.gov.au/schools-educators/international/global-opportunities/explore/italy-studitalia-prize

Two Year 11 students from Bowen. One wants to engineer rockets. The other is already training for his pilot's licence. ✈...
12/06/2026

Two Year 11 students from Bowen. One wants to engineer rockets. The other is already training for his pilot's licence. ✈️

Neither of them would have access to Aerospace Systems without a teacher based more than 200km away.

Thomas and Jake are students at Bowen State High School. Thanks to the Queensland Virtual Academy (QVA), they're studying a subject that would simply never have run locally. Their teacher, Joel, delivers the class virtually from Northern Beaches State High School - Townsville, connecting with students across Queensland each week.

For Thomas, the motivation is right on his doorstep. Gilmour Space Technologies spaceport sits near Bowen, and he's set his sights on aerospace engineering. For Jake, every lesson feeds directly into the real-world training he's already doing.

‘Studying Aerospace Systems gives me a strong foundation in aviation knowledge, which directly links to my current training for my pilot's licence,’ says Jake.

‘It helps me understand concepts related to aircraft, flight, and aviation systems, which makes my practical flying training more meaningful.’

The learning goes beyond textbooks, too. Joel recently took the class on a virtual excursion to Aviation Australia's training facilities at Brisbane Airport. Students explored a real hangar live via camera and Teams while an industry instructor walked them through the flight preparation process for a Boeing 717. 🛩️

For students in regional Queensland, experiences like that aren't a given. QVA is changing that.

‘The best part of learning with the Queensland Virtual Academy is the opportunity to study subjects that may not be available at my school,’ Jake says.

‘It allows students like me to access specialised courses, which directly connect to my interests and future goals.’

Their parents are on board, too. The arrangement fits around existing timetables with minimal disruption, while opening doors their local school couldn't open on its own.

The QVA is an initiative designed to increase all students' access to curriculum pathways, learning opportunities, and teaching expertise across the state. Stories like Thomas and Jake's are exactly what it looks like in practice. 🌏

The sky's the limit, boys! 🚀

For years, Jana operated dump trucks, water carts and graders. 👷🚧Now she's teaching Year 1 students how to read and writ...
10/06/2026

For years, Jana operated dump trucks, water carts and graders. 👷🚧

Now she's teaching Year 1 students how to read and write. ✏️

At 40, with three children and two careers behind her, Jana didn't take the average pathway into teaching. After working in the travel industry, she moved into mining as a multi-skilled operator. Then she went looking for something more.

‘I was looking for a way to contribute,' Jana said.

‘I always seek purpose in life, whether it's personal, professional or educational. My “why” is to make a difference.’

Getting there wasn't simple. Between studying online through CQUniversity Australia, relocating from Glendon to Mackay partway through her degree, and family commitments, Jana questioned whether she could keep going.

'There were moments when I just wanted to give up because it was really, really hard. But I thought, I’m not quitting.' she said.

'That's the value I instil in my children. You dig a little deeper. You try a little harder. You ask for help. You don't admit defeat. You don't throw in the towel.’

That same lesson now shapes her classroom at Fitzgerald State School in Mackay, where she encourages her students to embrace mistakes rather than fear them. 🌱

‘When students say “Look, I've made a mistake and now I've fixed it”, I explain to them why that's so important. It shows us they're having a go and mistakes are how we learn.’

‘In hindsight, it would have been awesome to start earlier, but I think I was scared of failing. I'm super proud that I did it, my family are proud and I'm where I need to be.’

What a journey! Proof that it's never too late to rewrite your own story. 💛

When teacher Abie proudly stepped onto the global stage at the Mrs International World competition in Kuala Lumpur this ...
09/06/2026

When teacher Abie proudly stepped onto the global stage at the Mrs International World competition in Kuala Lumpur this year, she wore something deeply personal — a dress designed by one of her own students. 🌏👗

Abie teaches at Bentley Park College, a Prep to Year 12 state school in the south of Cairns.

The striking piece was created by Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student Yoshikita ‘Yoshi’ Atu for last year’s Cairns International Art Fair Fashion Performance, ‘Look & Listen’, a celebration of First Nations culture.

‘When the competition organisers told me to wear a cultural dress I decided I was going to wear one of my students' designs,’ Abie said.

‘I wanted to show the world what it looks like to wear a First Nations-inspired dress.'

For Yoshi, the confidence to express her culture through art and fashion was nurtured through a special program at the school. 🎨

The Yaburu Bulmba program mentors and teaches the girls both academically and socially, helping them successfully complete their schooling.

‘Yaburu Bulmba means a "girl’s world" in local Yidinji language,’ Yoshikita said.

‘Yaburu Bulmba gave me an opportunity to learn and explore more options in the world. We're just like one big family. The ladies in the group are very supportive and encourage all of us to get out there and have a go.’

‘This dress is a representation of who I am and where I come from,’ she explained.

‘I'm both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. For this design I decided to focus on my Torres Strait Islander heritage because that is what I grew up knowing.

‘Through this design I wanted to tell the audience a story of my culture while also sharing a message of unity and respect.

‘I chose the feathers because it expresses how we are all connected in a way and how we are all one in Australia, no matter our background.’

Abie was also crowned Mrs Congeniality and placed in the Top 3 for Talent, using her platform to advocate for education, educators and students. 👑

From a Cairns classroom to an international stage, Yoshi’s design carried a message of culture, connection and pride across the world. 💛

Big congrats to Yoshi and Abie. Now that's how you wear your story!

Victoria's teachers once saved her life. Now she's making sure school staff are the ones being looked after.In 1988, 14 ...
05/06/2026

Victoria's teachers once saved her life. Now she's making sure school staff are the ones being looked after.

In 1988, 14 year old Victoria boarded the Jupiter cruise liner alongside 475 other British students and teachers for a week-long educational voyage. Less than an hour in, a freight ship struck the vessel and it began to sink off the coast of Athens.

Fortunately her teachers got her to safety. Decades on, that day still shapes the work she does.

It led her to a Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Coordinator role at Pine Rivers Special School Community.

'I'm passionate about safety, because my teachers saved my life and now, I want to give back to them,' she said.

Before roles like hers existed, safety work landed on teachers on top of their classroom and leadership duties. WHS Coordinators now help schools strengthen safety practices, respond to incidents, identify risks before they escalate, and support staff to return to work safely after a work-related injury.

This year, coordinators have been recruited across all 46 of Queensland state special schools- a first step towards an additional new 139 WHS Coordinators delivered over four years.

'Most schools we work with have never had this specialised support before, so it's critical we keep connected, share expertise and learn from each other along the way.

Victoria is now helping induct the newest cohort.

'These days are incredibly important. Because I've been in the role for a couple of years, I can pass along my learnings and give specific examples of what has worked so new co-ordinators can hit the ground running.'

Thank you, Victoria. The profession is lucky to have you!

870 students. 65 schools. One giant virtual classroom.Earlier this week, hundreds of our students from across the state ...
04/06/2026

870 students. 65 schools. One giant virtual classroom.

Earlier this week, hundreds of our students from across the state logged in together for Queensland's Biggest Classroom, a virtual lesson marking Queensland Day this Saturday.

Students in Years 5 and 6 tackled a question bigger than the Big Pineapple: what makes a Queenslander? 🤔🍍

From iconic landmarks and historical moments to local legends, favourite foods and industries, they shared what they reckon makes our state unique.

Among them was Charlie from Abergowrie State School, who logged in from North Queensland to join hundreds of other students in one virtual classroom. 💻

The event was hosted by the Queensland Virtual Academy (QVA), and marked the academy's first birthday, capping a year in which it delivered more than 13,000 lessons to students right across the state.

'Hosting the Biggest Lesson is exciting for the QVA. Enabling students to access quality learning experiences, no matter where they are, is our core mission,' said QVA Principal Gavin.

'The spirit of Queensland Day is celebrating the state's culture, diversity and achievements and, by hosting this lesson, we highlight the importance of education and fostering a sense of unity and pride among students.'

And the QVA itself? It's not a one-off event but an ongoing virtual academy. It beams specialist subjects and lessons into classrooms across the state in real time, with a dedicated teacher leading each one, while students stay enrolled at their local school.

Now we want to hear from you 👀 what are your favourite Queensland icons, places or moments?

We'll go first: established in 1850, the Warwick East State School holds a special place in our hearts as our oldest continuously operating state school. 🏫💙

Tell us yours in the comments. 👇

She built a career on words, but Jackie French once struggled to get them on to the page. ✍️The award-winning children’s...
03/06/2026

She built a career on words, but Jackie French once struggled to get them on to the page. ✍️

The award-winning children’s author of more than 200 books, including the beloved ‘Diary of a Wombat’, credits two Queensland state school teachers with changing the course of her life. 📚

At Camp Hill State Infants and Primary School, Miss Davis saw something others might have missed.

‘Miss Davis spent hours guiding my hand to help me write. Without her I'd have been illiterate,’ Jackie said.

‘She made me realise I could read fluently, but I was unable to write and had problems focusing on numbers and single words.’

Years later at Brisbane State High School another teacher helped shape her future.

‘Mrs Pauli gave me great books to read and it wasn’t until decades later, when we finally met again, she told me she spent weeks finding the exact literature she thought I needed,’ she said.

‘It was the best possible education for a writer. But the kindness and confidence she showed in giving me those books meant far more.

‘She knew I’d be a good writer. I owe her my career.’ ❤️

Jackie says those experiences didn’t just prepare her for university, they set her up for life.

‘It was possibly the most superb education possible for a girl in Australia back then, developed by dedicated teachers, who hunted for every possible way to challenge gifted students,’ she said.

Jackie said teachers and stories have the power to change lives.

‘The best possible investment for our future is the education we give our kids. Giving time can be far more valuable than money,’ she said.

‘A book can change a child’s life. A book can change the world.’

Thanks Jackie for sharing your story — a powerful reminder of the impact great teachers can have.

At noon last Wednesday, children, parents and teachers across Australia stopped what they were doing to read the very sa...
01/06/2026

At noon last Wednesday, children, parents and teachers across Australia stopped what they were doing to read the very same book at the very same moment. 🦘

That's the magic of National Simultaneous Storytime, an annual event run by the Australian Library and Information Association, now in its 26th year. One picture book, read aloud together, all at once, in classrooms, libraries, lounge rooms and bookshops nationwide.

This year's book was Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller.

And while most schools gathered indoors, students at Mena Creek State School in Far North Queensland took story time somewhere far more memorable: the rainforest surrounds of Paronella Park. 🌿📚

Best reading nook in Queensland? They might be onto something.

You may have spotted the bright green and yellow sunflower lanyards out and about lately. They’re becoming a simple but ...
29/05/2026

You may have spotted the bright green and yellow sunflower lanyards out and about lately. They’re becoming a simple but powerful symbol of inclusion and understanding. 🌻

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Australia & New Zealand is a simple way for people with non-visible disabilities to signal they may need support, understanding or extra time.

For Maryborough State High School principal Simon Done, a proud Hidden Disabilities Sunflower wearer, the initiative has become much more than a symbol.

After being introduced to the initiative by a school guest last year, Simon brought the program into the workplace at the beginning of this year.

School staff wear sunflower lanyards or white supporter lanyards and pins to help foster understanding, inclusion and conversation.

‘This is not a “bolt on” or “box tick” in the school,’ says Mr Done.

‘It is felt, lived and believed by so many. It can be a great conversation starter.

‘It’s a little thing but has a huge impact.’

Across the globe, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is helping create more understanding for people with non-visible disabilities. Through our EnAbled Workforce Strategy, initiatives like this are helping foster more inclusive workplaces and school communities.

Small symbols can start important conversations. 💚💛

Senior jerseys off, Maroons jerseys ON. ❤️ Proof Queensland state schools don’t just shape graduates…we also shape Maroo...
27/05/2026

Senior jerseys off, Maroons jerseys ON. ❤️

Proof Queensland state schools don’t just shape graduates…we also shape Maroons. Good luck to all our former students representing the Maroons in Game 1 tonight.

Let's show ‘em how Queensland does it. 💪🏉

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