Best practice

Post-school transitions in the spotlight

Showcase Award for Excellence in the Senior Phase of Learning

September 19 2012

Benowa State High School's business outreach program 'I Think I Can, I Know I Can' started in 2010 through a partnership with Griffith University and aims to promote studies in senior business and economics subjects as a legitimate pathway for its students to enter a Business/Commerce degree.

The program is the first of its kind in business education in Australia and the world. Participating students develop an 'I Think I Can' approach to improving their academic outcomes to ultimately access their desired university course. With an 'I Know I Can' attitude students successfully transition to the autonomous nature of university study and its challenges by the completion of the program and Year 12.

Glenmore State High School has, over the past seven years, established a very effective careers program which supports students' successful transition from school to the workforce or further education. This program has focused on students in Years 10, 11 and 12 and has assisted them with work experience, certificate courses through Central Queensland TAFE and other registered training organisations (RTOs) as well as school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

Glenmore has consistently improved outcomes for students, with an 18 per cent increase of Overall Position score eligible students receiving an OP 1-15 over the past six years and all students with a QTAC application receiving an offer in 2011. Senior students are currently completing 221 VET qualifications delivered either at school or through an external RTO.

Burnside State High School responded to poor community perceptions and drastically declining enrolments in 2009 by becoming a benchmark school for excellence in the senior phase of learning.

Every student from the school's 2009, 2010 and 2011 cohorts has graduated with an OP, a Queensland Certificate of Education, a school-based traineeship or other vocational qualification. With a focus on strong relationships, high expectations, regular monitoring and a good dose of fun, Burnside has created a senior phase of learning program that assures success throughthe mantra Every Effort, Every Student, Every Year.

Redbank Plains State High School's Choices not Chances is a student-centred program with a focus on transitioning the culturally diverse school population through senior years to sustainable employment.

Since 2010, the program has been explicitly addressing barriers that students face in developing skill sets necessary to successfully transition into the workforce and bridging the disconnection that has existed between industry and the community. The program is making a difference to student outcomes through dedicated programs for students and their families, helping to break the unemployment cycle.

The Showcase Award for Excellence in the Senior Phase of Learning will be one of eight awards presented at the 2012 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools Gala Dinner on Friday 12 October at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.