Education Minister Grace Grace: ‘Of course schoolies will be cancelled’

News that Schoolies will be cancelled this year is only the latest blow to the state’s Year 12 students, whose final year has been up-ended by coronavirus.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace says schoolies could be cancelled this year.

Speaking to Stav, Abby and Matt on HIT105 on Tuesday morning, Ms Grace said the traditional end of year celebration for graduating high school seniors would not go ahead if the current COVID-19 crisis continues.

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“I don’t even think that that’s (sic) an if, I think that it’s a definite if we’re still …,” Ms Grace said in response to presenter Matty Acton’s suggestion schoolies might be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I know, my daughter, she would have been very upset if I’d said that at the time that she was graduating from year 12 but, look, I think if things continue the way that they are, depending on where we’re at, of course schoolies will be cancelled.”

But Ms Grace said the state government would be “guided by health advice” on the decision.

“But we’re talking later on in the year yet, I don’t know where we’re going to be,” she said. She said the approach was to take everything day by day.

“I’m not confirming it’s off and I’m not confirming that it’s on, it’s far too early to call,” Ms Grace told HIT105.

“It’s a pandemic that we’ve never experienced … so it’s something that you have to take day by day and make those assessments closer to the time”.

Education Minister Grace Grace. Picture: AAP/Steve Pohlner

The minister also cleared the air on term two schooling confusion, who can send their children to school and how the term will play-out.

“Schools are open for children of essential workers only, that means that if you’re required in your workplace for essential business then you can send your children to school,” Ms Grace said.

“They will be open for those workers who do not have the ability to supervise their children at home and no other arrangements can be made”.

Children of non-essential workers will be learning from home for the first half of term two, until May 22 as plans for the latter half of the term are yet to be decided.

“All other children will be learning from home for the first five weeks, we’ll reassess that around the 15th of May to see how it’s going and what we’re going to do for the second part of the term” Ms Grace said.

On a brighter note, the Minister confirmed there would be no Year 13 for Queensland students.

“That’s a guarantee; we’re doing all we possibly can to make sure that we deliver quality curriculum to our Year 12s,” Ms Grace said.

“I feel for them, actually, it’s the first year of ATAR and the poor things are gonna have it tough enough with a whole new system and here we’re now hit with COVID-19”.

St Rita’s Year 12 student Charlotte Quodling said it felt “like one thing after another”.

“It’s a let-down and it’s been really tough; we’re the first senior year to have ATAR introduced and the first year to have Year 7s in our school, it just seems like one thing after another,” Ms Quodling said.

“It’s not even the events themselves, it’s that these fun milestones are being taken away from us.

“Everyone talks about how Year 12 is your last year and you have to take advantage of every moment, but we are missing out on those moments.”

The high school senior said she was doing better than she thought she would, but a lot of her peers were “really struggling” to cope with the sweeping changes.

“We don’t see each other every day, so that takes away that emotional outlet,” she said.

“We’re missing so many enjoyments that come with Year 12 that we’ve all been looking forward to.”

Year 12 St Rita's student Charlotte Quodling at home in her study environment. Picture: Richard Gosling/AAP

Gold Coast’s tutoring A Team Tuition Founder Hayden McEvoy has worked closely with students for years, and said the final year of schooling was already a testing year before COVID-19.

“There’s nobody so anxious as a year twelve student in 2020 because it was always going to be a testing year; exams, the transition to ATAR, the stress of applying to universities and preparing for life after school, then along came COVID-19,” Mr McEvoy said.

He said it was important to set structure for those studying from home, as the dramatic learning change may lead students to feel out of control.

“Your child has learned over the last 13 years to plan their homework, their assessments and their exam preparation through doing it over and over with the same formula and when they can’t rely (on this) they may feel out of control and that feeling is very real,” Mr McEvoy said.

“The key way to help your child feel back in control is to establish a workable routine, discuss with your teen how they best learn, everyone consumes and processes information differently,

“Year 12 is one of the most critical years of your education… and students all deserve a party at the end but Schoolies and celebrations can be rescheduled, don’t let the thought of Schoolies being cancelled cloud your thoughts, you will get your time to celebrate”.