Students work and play at Summer Schools
15 October 2009
By Louise De Santis
More than 3700 Queensland students attended the first ever Summer Schools during the September holidays, including almost 60 students at Brisbane's Mitchelton State School (pictured).
More than 3700 students returned to school during the September holidays for the first ever Summer Schools - but it wasn't a case of all work and no play.
The 59 students who attended the one-week Summer Schools program at Brisbane's Mitchelton State School started each day with ball games and physical activities to get their minds moving and ready for learning.
Back in the classroom, teachers used the making of morning tea - cake, sandwiches and lemonade - and board games as the props for learning about fractions and comprehension.
Behind these fun activities was the serious business of improving the literacy and numeracy skills of students in Years 5 to 7.
Thousands of students from 408 Queensland state schools participated in the recent Summer Schools program through either face-to-face or distance education delivered at one of 72 school sites across the state.
A network of 707 teachers and coordinators passionate about improving outcomes for children delivered the program.
Summer Schools teacher and Mitchelton State School deputy principal Kylie Sheehan said the program's format allowed teachers to really get to know the students.
'The pace was great,' Ms Sheehan said. 'Having only two things to teach over 15 hours means you can be really in-depth and keep reinforcing the key points.
'The opportunity to work with such small groups has been great and really shows how important it is to have time with your kids.'
Fellow Summer Schools teacher Katie McIntyre saw results from the fun approach to teaching.
'The activities in my class have been perceived by the students as fun and not difficult because they are enjoying what they are doing,' Ms McIntyre said.
Summer Schools coordinator Ruth Kelly said the program gave students the opportunity to develop their confidence in numeracy and literacy.
'If these kids achieve some success then it can really snowball,' Ms Kelly said.
'I looked around these kids on the second day and I could already see brighter faces saying, "Yes, I can do that".'
With the completion of the first round of Summer Schools, the Department of Education and Training's Teaching and Learning Branch will ask parents, students and staff for their feedback to shape the way the program is delivered in the future.
The next round of Summer Schools will be offered next January to give students extra support before the start of the new school year.
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