The Tasmanian Government is committed to removing the barriers and perception for many that school finishes at Year 10, to improve educational outcomes and give Tasmanians the very best start to life.
Already our $45 million initiative to extend high schools to Year 11 and 12 has been a success, with strong community support and an average of a 38 per cent increase in enrolments across the first six schools that extended in 2015.
The support of the community has driven a demand for the roll-out of this initiative to be accelerated and extended to urban high schools sooner than planned to.
Importantly, this is not about replacing colleges, they will always have a strong role to play in education in Tasmania. It’s about adding to the number of post-Year 10 students, who otherwise wouldn’t continue to Years 11 and 12, and this will be done in partnership with colleges.
Yesterday, I announced that 18 rural and urban schools would extend in 2017, in addition to the 12 that have already extended. We understand that every school community and its students are unique, and there is no one size fits all solution.
A variety of innovative models have emerged since the implementation of this policy, including schools creating virtual classrooms connecting to college classes, working directly with colleges, as well as offering courses so students can achieve their Tasmanian Certificate of Education at their local school.
Today I am thrilled to announce that two partnerships have been formed. Two groups of schools have collaborated to build on enrolments. These are:
In practical terms, what this means is that for the first time schools are now appropriately resourced to establish Year 11 and 12 in their school and also properly support partnerships with colleges. This will include Year 11 and 12 classes in each of the high schools, as well as virtual classrooms connecting to college classes. Where appropriate, some students might also be able to begin some of their year 11 studies in Year 10.
We have already seen successful school-college partnerships in this 11 and 12 extension program, including between St Helens District High, St Marys District High and Newstead College, and Huonville District High, Dover District High and Hobart College, Smithton High and Hellyer College, and Scottsdale High and Launceston College.
In the coming months, all extending schools will work closely with the Department of Education to model the best ways of increasing opportunities for students to complete Year 11 and 12 wherever it suits them; whether it’s at their local high school, and college and high school, or college alone.
We want more young Tasmanians staying in school longer and getting better qualifications so they have the very best chance at getting a good job and living a fulfilling life.
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