More Tasmanian students than ever before will this year have the opportunity to stay in school longer and study Year 11 and 12 in their local communities.
Today, it was a privilege to meet the students who have enrolled in Years 11 and 12 at New Norfolk High School, which is among six high schools extending in 2016.
Talking with the students at New Norfolk today it is clear that having this opportunity to stay at their high school in their local community has encouraged them to continue their education.
New Norfolk is extending in partnership with Glenora District High School, which just a few years ago was slated for closure by the Labor-Green Government.
What a difference a change of Government makes; now students at Glenora have more opportunities including the chance to complete their Tasmanian Certificate of Education at their school.
Students choosing to complete their senior secondary school at our extension schools can study a wide range of academic courses based on student demand.
Thirteen Tasmanian high schools have taken up the opportunity to extend to Years 11 and 12, removing the barriers and perception for many that schooling finishes at Year 10.
The results after one complete year of this initiative are very positive, with enrolments in Years 11 and 12 increasing by 38 per cent in the schools that extended in 2015.
While the enrolments for 2016 won’t be known until preliminary figures are confirmed in coming months, the early signs are encouraging.
Schools extending for the first time this year include Campbell Town District High School, Mountain Heights District School, New Norfolk in partnership with Glenora District High School, Rosebery District High School and Tasman District High School.
Schools that began delivering the program last year include Scottsdale High School, Smithton High School, Huonville High School in partnership with Dover District High School, and St Helens in partnership with St Marys District High School.
Cressy District High School was the first school announced to extend in 2017, and the other schools to deliver Years 11 and 12 in 2017 will be announced in Term 1 this year as part of our ongoing commitment to provide more students with an opportunity to finish school closer to home.
We cannot be complacent when it comes to education, because the ways of the past clearly failed Tasmanians.
The Liberal Government’s policies will improve Tasmania’s retention rate and ensure young Tasmanians have a better chance to get a good job and live a fulfilling life.
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