2 April 2015

Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Education and Training

Six More High Schools to Offer Years 11-12 in 2016

The Hodgman Liberal Government is delivering on our policy of extending high schools to Years 11-12 to improve Tasmania’s education outcomes and create a job-ready generation.

Today, I am pleased to announce that six more of our rural and regional high schools have been chosen to offer Years 11-12 in 2016, following on from the six schools that started the extension this year.

The six high schools assessed as being ready to offer Years11-12 next year are Campbell Town District High School, Queenstown’s Mountain Heights District School, New Norfolk and Glenora District High Schools (in partnership), Rosebery District High School and Tasman District High School.

In addition, Cressy District High School will begin offering senior secondary courses in 2017 to allow time to further prepare supporting infrastructure at the school.

By giving more students the option of staying at their local high schools for Years 11-12, we are encouraging those who may have otherwise finished school after Year 10 to continue their education.

The feedback that I’ve had from the schools that have extended this year shows our plan is working and students are benefiting from being able to complete their senior secondary schooling at their local high school.

As well as providing a practical solution to improve access to senior secondary education, extending our rural and regional high schools sends a strong message to all young Tasmanians that their education does not finish in Year 10.

Schools have recognised the significant benefits the extension program can provide their students with schools receiving:

• an additional 0.25% staffing allocation to provide additional vocational education and training for their students;
• teaching resources based on student enrolments in line with the formula used by colleges up to a maximum of five additional teachers;
• a permanent 0.5 full-time equivalent Advanced Skills Teacher; and
• a 1.0 full-time equivalent position for 12 months to support the extension process.

With the addition of these seven schools, 13 rural and regional high schools have been determined to be ready to offer Year 11 and 12, which is well on the way to achieving our commitment to extend 21 high schools in rural and regional areas to Year 12 by 2018.

Expressions of interest will be sought for schools wishing to join Cressy District High School in extending to Years 11-12 in 2017, and the successful schools are expected to be announced later this year.

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