Hervey Bay State High School set to send students home early

A Fraser Coast school principal has spruiked the benefits of an early finish one day a week as part of a proposed new “routine”.

Hervey Bay State High School principal Julie Learoyd, said as part of the State Schooling Improvement Strategy, ideas were being considering “ideas to ensure a learning legacy not only for your children but for generations to come”.

A push for an early finish for students at Hervey Bay State High School every Monday next year has been put forward in a letter to parents.

The letter, addressed from Hervey Bay State High School principal Julie Learoyd, said as part of the State Schooling Improvement Strategy, ideas were being considered “to ensure a learning legacy not only for your children but for generations to come”.

One of the ideas was a “change to school routine” Ms Learoyd wrote, with a new finishing time for students introduced on a Monday afternoon.

“Classes will end at 1.10pm with a second recess break concluding at 1.40pm,” the letter read.

“After this time, teachers will dedicate the remaining 85 minutes with purpose for your children.

“Our staff have embraced it and we hope you will too and we welcome your feedback.”

The letter said the new period of time would be allocated to curriculum collaboration and more teacher accountability with regards to classroom performance.

“Using across faculty and within faculty alignment and planning opportunities to implement new learning ideas and techniques to get the very best outcomes for every student,” the letter read.

Hervey Bay State High School.

“Already some schools across Queensland, including Urangan State High School have benefited from teachers having a chance to formally collaborate.

“We foresee that this initiative will continue to improve our already impressive scholastic and community engagement.”

The letter also addressed how students would get home, stating that buses would not be available at that finishing time and students remaining at school from 3.05pm or later would have the opportunity to be part of the supervised homework club.

The letter was shared to Hervey Bay Community Notice Board on Facebook, where it received a mixed reaction.

Keeley Madden said “that’s amazing”, but Angela Jamieson said “not happy at all”.

Shanna Manderson said the start times at Urangan State High School on Mondays and Fridays were 9.50am.

“I think it’s great. Children spend enough time at school,” Natalie High wrote.

Frances Hoffman said the early finish would make it hard for working parents.

“It’s only one day,” Kris Joynson said.

“If the teachers use this time properly I see the benefit. Would also help senior students if teachers are available for help.”

A spokesman from the Department of Education said dedicated principals, teachers and support staff across Queensland make the difference to the quality of learning in our schools.

“Queensland state schools have the ability to alter the start and finish times for their students to suit local needs,” he said.

“The school is currently consulting with the community on this proposal.

“If it is to go ahead, it is important that it has the support of parents and the school community.

“Ongoing professional development and collaborative time is an essential component of supporting high quality teaching and learning.

“If implemented, the extra time on Monday afternoons would be used by Hervey Bay State High School staff as teacher collaboration time.

“This time allows teachers to collaborate with colleagues and school leaders to plan, assess, moderate, report and discuss strategies for improvement of individual student outcomes and class performance.

“It provides teachers and leaders with dedicated time to plan for high quality learning experiences for every student and is in addition to the time that Hervey Bay SHS staff meet outside of school hours for additional collaboration time.

“The school has ensured there would be sufficient time available to cover delivery of the Australian Curriculum, with a number of learning areas still receiving more than the minimum necessary hours.

“Student can remain at school and be supervised until 3.05pm and can register to attend a homework club.

“There are council buses that take the same route as school buses and students can access these earlier from bus stops close to the school.”