School's in for classes of 2010
02 February 2010
First class ... Premier Anna Bligh and Education Minister Geoff Wilson with Junction Park State School pupils.
School is in for 2010 with a forecast 729,000 students expected on the books of Queensland state, Catholic and independent schools.
Some 37,700 educators have headed to work at state schools to teach close to 490,000 students across primary, secondary and special school classes.
Catholic and independent schools are expected to account for a further 242,000 students.
In Brisbane on day one, Junction Park State School students and teachers were welcomed by Premier Anna Bligh and Education Minister Geoff Wilson.
Ms Bligh wished students well in their studies and encouraged parents to take an active interest in their children's education during each stage of their schooling.
Mr Wilson said the State Government was continuing its focus on improving literacy and numeracy in 2010.
'Literacy and numeracy are the building blocks that will help a child to succeed in life.
'We're enlisting parents to help us to achieve our goal for Queensland to be among the top performing states in literacy, numeracy and science,' he said, urging parents to read to their children, encourage them to show them their homework and talk to them about events in school and the wider community.
'Counting money with your child while shopping, playing number games or reading public transport timetables are also simple ways to build foundations in numeracy,' Mr Wilson said.
Across Queensland for 2010, Year 1 enrolments are expected to reach 57,000, including more than 40,000 Year 1 students at state schools and around 17,000 at non-state schools.
In what is the third full intake of Prep students, enrolments are expected to be similar to Year 1.
Year 8 enrolments are expected to reach 59,000, with more than 36,000 in state schools and almost 23,000 in non-state schools.
Enrolments at state special schools are expected to be around 3000.
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