DG's View with Director-General Rachel Hunter
Vol 18. Number 01, January/February 2009
2009 is a momentous year for Queensland as we celebrate 150 years since Queensland separated from New South Wales (Q150). To mark the occasion, Education Views steps back in time to look at the evolution of Queensland education over those years.
From early colonial days to the start of the 21st century, schooling in Queensland has continued to evolve to better meet the changing needs of students. But the recollections published here show some things never change - such as the dedication and passion of Queensland's educators.
My story
My experiences as a school student and TAFE teacher in Queensland have helped inspire my passion for the education of young people and a particular compassion for disadvantaged children.
My family moved to Queensland when I was 12. I completed Year 8 in Winton in central Queensland before we moved to Georgetown in North Queensland. There I studied Year 9 by correspondence through the Brisbane School of Distance Education.
My school workbooks were posted in cylinders and I often felt like I was drowning in them. This was a very different experience to that of distance education students today, who are connected via digital technology to their studies, teachers and fellow students in ways we couldn't have imagined back then.
I would complete work for subjects that I enjoyed such as English, French and modern history but was not as studious with my other subjects. Fortunately, my mother was aware of what was happening and I was sent to live with family in Brisbane where I attended Brisbane State High School to complete Year 10.
I learnt the importance of hard work that year when my previous poor study habits caught up with me. But it was a lesson well learned - I went on to finish Year 11 and Year 12, winning a scholarship to university where I completed an arts degree and a Diploma of Education. This was due in a large part to the efforts of my teachers who gave me an early appreciation of the importance of teaching and great teachers.
My role as a government champion where I work with the Indigenous community of Doomadgee in north-west Queensland is another strong influence on me. Again, it's the people who matter and I am privileged to work with a strong council, community Elders and members to plan and deliver a stronger future for Doomadgee.
Experiences such as these - coupled with the great work I see in our schools, TAFEs and arts bodies every day - have only strengthened my passion for education. To paraphrase the words of others, human potential is too precious a resource to waste. Teaching is that rare profession that transforms human potential into reality every day.
An historic year ahead
2009 will be another important year for our department. As well as Q150 celebrations, there will be a big reform agenda and some great challenges - particularly on how to best invest our resources to ensure every child, in every classroom, is learning every day.
There will be an absolute focus on literacy and numeracy; we will progress the State Government's Toward Q2 agenda to deliver world-class education and training, including the introduction of a kindergarten program by 2014 and ensuring three out of four Queenslanders hold trade, training or tertiary qualifications by 2020; we will work with the Federal Government on a national strategy to address the issues facing disadvantaged students; and we will continue to upgrade our schools, TAFE and arts infrastructure.
The Year of Creativity will also ensure a strong focus on that most important human potential - creativity.
Education Views online
This is the final edition of Education Views in its current hard copy format. From next month, Education Views goes green and will be published online only. For more details visit current website
^ Top of page
Other languages