Headstart for teaching students
02 December 2009
A talented group of aspiring teachers from Redcliffe have guaranteed university places next year thanks to an innovative school program, reports REBECCA PERRY.
Headstart ... Jade Appelkamp, left, with Amy Stuckey and Shamaenu Nanai, is benefiting from the QUTeach program.
Missing out on her first choice for work experience was a blessing in disguise for Redcliffe State High School's Jade Appelkamp.
Instead of visiting a veterinary clinic, the talented instrumentalist was placed with her former primary school music teacher and found she also wanted a career in education.
Now, the 17-year-old is well on her way. She is one of 15 students in the Redcliffe area to finish Year 12 this year and complete the two-year QUTeach@Redcliffe program which guarantees graduates a place in a teaching degree.
'It has been really good because I won't have to worry about these units next year and I already know what is expected at university,' Jade said.
In partnership with the Queensland University of Technology, the program allows Year 11 and 12 students to study four education subjects over four semesters through the university.
Students from Redcliffe, Deception Bay and Clontarf Beach state high schools finished the program this year. North Lakes State College has joined the program and Sandgate District will come on board next year.
Redcliffe High science and Japanese teacher Ben Lynes juggles his 'day job' as head of innovations with coordinating the program.
'It started because we were having trouble attracting teachers to the area so our principal thought, "Let's just train our own",' Mr Lynes said.
'We have two local teachers who run classes twice a week and assess students' work before it is moderated by QUT staff.
'It isn't made any easier for them. They get marked like any other university student and some of these kids are getting university distinctions and high distinctions for their work.
'They all come from diverse backgrounds and want to go into different areas of teaching including early childhood to secondary science, physical education and languages.
'We hope they will come back to us when it is time for them to do their preservice.'
For more information on the program, visit Redcliffe State High School's website 
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