Queensland Department of Education

📢 School closures update ✅ Schools are to remain open tomorrow, Wednesday 5 March ✅ Schools on the North Stradbroke and Moreton Bay islands will be open tomorrow for supervision only Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to cross the South East Queensland coast either late Thursday evening or early Friday morning. Our Emergency Response team will continue to monitor the weather conditions and take action where necessary to ensure the safety of our students, staff and the wider community. As per our disaster management protocol, we always follow the advice of emergency services. Further communication on the status of schools for Thursday 6 March will be provided after midday tomorrow. For up-to-date information on Queensland state school closures, visit: https://lnkd.in/gf-zs2jz 💙 Support for staff and families Staff or their families can access free, confidential counselling services via our external Employee Assistance provider. Resources are also available to support staff following traumatic events, including advice from TELUS Health. Other resources are available on our OnePortal Staff wellbeing pages.

This week is Queensland Women's Week and we’re highlighting the voices of some of Queensland’s longest-serving female teachers – each with more than 40 years in education – as they share how leadership opportunities for women have evolved over time. Women make up 79% of our education workforce, yet they remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still more we can do together to ensure every aspiring female leader has the support and opportunity to step up. By fostering inclusive workplaces, supporting career development, and encouraging leadership pathways, we’re working towards a future where more women take on leadership roles in our schools. #QueenslandWomensWeek #WomenInLeadership

Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and Aitkenvale State School is a shining example of how education can create a more inclusive and welcoming society. 🌠 For more than 20 years, this dedicated school community has provided comprehensive support to newly arrived students, helping thousands of students from refugee backgrounds successfully integrate into their school and community. The school has also established a Community Hub where more than 25 community organisations and businesses work together to support culturally and linguistically diverse students and families, empowering them to engage and build social connections. In 2024, Aitkenvale State School received the Diversity and Inclusion Champion award at the Multicultural Queensland Awards for their impactful contribution and dedication to creating a more inclusive environment for students and their families. The Multicultural Queensland Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations working towards a more inclusive multicultural Queensland. If you know someone who is making a difference in Queensland’s multicultural communities, show your support by nominating them for a Multicultural Queensland Award! To find out more about the Multicultural Queensland Awards, visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/MQA. Nominations close: midnight Sunday 16 March 2025. #MQA25 #MulticulturalQld #MulticulturalAffairsQueensland

Today is World Hearing Day, an opportunity to highlight the importance of early intervention for hearing issues and to share an inspiring story from St George State School, a small but diverse rural school four hours west of Toowoomba. Located on the traditional lands of the Kamilaroi, Mandandanji, Bigambul, Kooma, and Yulwaalaraay peoples, St George State School is home to around 160 students and 30 staff representing the 3000 strong town. With 65% of the school’s students from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, the school recognised the urgent need for early hearing screenings. First Nations children experience some of the highest rates of middle ear infections and hearing loss in the world, often occurring earlier, more frequently, with greater severity, and for longer periods, directly impacting their learning and engagement. ‘For our families there are a lot of costs involved in going to see hearing specialists,’ St George State School Principal, Glenda shared. The school had several strategies in place to support hard-of-hearing students, but without accurate testing, it was difficult to provide targeted assistance. One of the departments deaf and hard of hearing advisory visiting teachers realised the potential benefits of connecting St George with the Hearing Pathways team. Thanks to Hearing Pathways, a collaboration between The Queensland Department of Education and Queensland Health, students were screened using Sound Scouts, a game-based app that detects hearing loss in real-world classroom conditions. The results were eye-opening: • 126 students tested, with 19 identified with hearing loss, including 14 First Nations students. • SoundField systems installed to enhance classroom audio clarity. • Tailored learning strategies introduced to support students’ individual needs. ‘St George is our first piece of work in Darling Downs South West, where we are finding large numbers of students at risk of hearing loss that have never been tested, never been managed and that remote aspect really does add another layer of challenge,’ says speech pathologist Dr Gayle Hemsley. With more than 500 schools and some 8000 students each year undergoing testing using Sound Scouts, the Hearing Pathways team is having an invaluable impact across the state. Thank you to the Hearing Pathways team for your incredible work and for supporting our student’s health and wellbeing so that they can realise their full potential inside and beyond the classroom. #WorldHearingDay

With online scams, hacking and cyberbullying on the rise, now more than ever online safety (eSafety) is critical. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, student or Internet user, knowing how to protect yourself and others online is essential. eSafety tips: 💻 Set up multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts. 💻 Install software updates regularly to keep your devices secure. 💻 Create strong and unique passphrases that are over 14 characters long and use 4 or more random words. 💻 Get to know the devices your children use. 💻 Teach your children about cyberbullying and grooming and keep open lines of communication. 💻 Check-in with children and students regularly and keep an eye out for signs that may indicate bullying. Useful resources: 💡 Home affairs: https://lnkd.in/g3Em8YVV 💡 eSafety Commissioner: https://lnkd.in/gCmGh5s 💡 Australian Signals Directorate: https://lnkd.in/gEGmFQ_a 💡 Scamwatch: https://lnkd.in/gC95M9p 💡 Counselling and support services: https://lnkd.in/gWys6sPQ us/counselling-support-services #eSafety #eSafetyTips #eSafetyResources

☀️🌊 Make a difference and be part of a diverse and supportive community in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Our state schools in Normanton and surrounding areas are looking for primary, secondary and special education teachers to commence in 2025. Our teachers in this region have access to generous financial incentives and support including: ✅ Beginning teacher support payment ✅ Financial incentives through the Recognition of Rural and Remote Service scheme ✅ Access to subsidised accommodation ✅ Recognition of location travel allowance ✅ Relocation and settlement support Browse our Recognition of Rural and Remote Service (RoRRS) Scheme calculator at: https://lnkd.in/gBAC2dgX Teachers in our most remote schools may also be eligible for the Australian Government’s Reduction of Higher Education Loan Program. https://lnkd.in/gDWypqM2 If you're interested in teaching in Normanton and surrounding communities, you can apply at: https://lnkd.in/gWYeERz #TeacherTalk #TeachQld #TeacherJobs

As outlined in our Equity and Excellence model, Queensland state schools follow four key principles to set students on a path to lifelong success. One of these principles, 'ready for the future’, focuses on preparing students for further education and employment and supporting these successful transitions. The Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo is a free, interactive career event designed to help students make informed decisions about their future. This 3-day event allows attendees to talk with educators and employers about their interests and career pathways and engage in demonstrations and competitions. Across three days students can: 🚀 explore a free careers event with hands-on experiences 🚀 attend seminars covering career and study pathways 🚀 engage with over 160 educators, course providers and employers 🚀 watch 60 skills and trades in action at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships. School registrations are free, providing access to both the Careers & Employment Expo and WorldSkills National Championships. To register your school or for further information, visit: https://lnkd.in/g_v5eJEt

Are you a qualified Occupational Therapist looking for your first or next role in sunny Queensland? There are a variety of full-time and part-time positions available in our schools across the state. Occupational Therapists in the Department of Education work within school teams to support students to access their educational environment and participate in learning. Responsibilities include: ✅ Provide contemporary, evidence based occupational therapy services to students in state school ✅ Provide occupational therapy services which adhere to legislation and Department of Education policies and procedures ✅ Work within multidisciplinary teams ✅ Work within a multi-tiered system of support in schools ✅ Maintain knowledge and skills in providing occupational therapy in schools ✅ Engage in professional supervision Applications form part of a talent pool from where vacancies across the state will be filled as they arise over the next 12 months. New graduates (or soon to be graduates) are welcome to apply: https://lnkd.in/gvsX-Qgt #OT #OccupationalTherapist #OTJob

We’re proud to support Hidden Disabilities Sunflower - Australia & New Zealand, a global initiative raising awareness for invisible disabilities such as autism, ADHD, chronic health conditions, and acquired brain injuries. The Hidden Disabilities green sunflower discreetly signals that a person might need a little extra help or understanding. Allies can show their support by wearing a white sunflower, fostering a community of inclusivity and kindness. This initiative reflects our department’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive, accessible, safe and supportive workplaces. Together we can make the invisible visible. Learn more about our approach to inclusion and accessibility at: https://lnkd.in/gA9gT_yb To learn more about Hidden Disabilities, visit: https://lnkd.in/g-b_SiKP

The Education Futures Institute (EFI) is partnering with global education expert Dr Doug Fisher to deliver a student belonging and engagement masterclass series for Queensland state school educators. Register to attend a masterclass at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre: 📍 10 – 11 March: 2-day masterclass on fostering belonging in schools - https://bit.ly/3PVnQMQ 📍 12 March: Exploring the link between belonging and student attendance - https://bit.ly/4hzokUv 📍 13 March: Creating a safe, structured, and engaging learning environment - https://bit.ly/4aE9MRj #EducationFuturesInstitute #ProfessionalDevelopment #StudentEngagement #StudentBelonging #StudentWellbeing