Post-pandemic resurgence in shortened weeks scheme at Queensland public schools

Covid-enforced learning from home is believed to be responsible for a recent spike in interest from state schools in the idea of shortened four-and-a-half-day weeks, as Queenslanders’ response to the idea becomes clearer.

• Editor’s view: Not the time to cut school week

QUEENSLAND principals have the power to shorten or vary school hours as they see fit without permission from the Education Department.

The revelation from the state government comes after The Courier-Mail revealed schools across the southeast were shortening schools hours and some had implemented lunch time finishes one certain days.

A poll asking readers whether the school week be shortened attracted 1784 votes – 69 per cent not in favour and 31 per cent in support.

Many critical comments from The Courier-Mail readers accused the move as a cheap move to give teachers an easy reprieve and were concerned shortened school weeks would not prepare students for working life.

Queensland Secondary Principals’ Association president Mark Breckenridge said shortened weeks had been trialled across the state since before 2010.

“It originally came about in the senior secondary space when students undertook a range of learning options outside school – Vocational Education & Training (VET), apprenticeships, and starting university courses early,” he said.

“It became more complicated to fit everything in, so some schools invented a four-day week or an early finish on one day.”

A Department of Education spokeswoman said principals could vary hours and implement flexible arrangements without seeking approval.

“The Department will continue to provide support to schools to ensure any outside-school

issues are considered,” she said.

“When considering flexible arrangements schools consult closely with their community including parents, staff, students, and other key stakeholders.

“This flexibility has been in place and has been used for many years. However, since the disruption to on-site learning during Covid-19, some schools that may not have previously implemented alternative school hours have been considering and trialling these arrangements.”

EDITOR’S VIEW: NOT THE TIME TO CUT SCHOOL WEEK

Varsity College on the Gold Coast recently announcing they would make the shorter school week permanent and further investigations identified three other schools using the scheme.

Students at Varsity College’s secondary campus will finish at 12.45pm every Friday.

Pupils will be given the option of going home or staying to study on school grounds.

A school email to parents and caregivers announcing the trial advised parents and caregivers that it would allow staff to engage in a professional learning program.

Palm Beach Currumbin State High School, also on the Gold Coast, has a similar policy on Mondays, with students given a lunch time finish.

The Gap State High School also started a shortened week from Term 1 2023, with school now finishing at 1.50pm on Monday. Students can either go home or stay on campus and study independently on Monday afternoons.

The school trialled it last year, with the theory being that it gives teachers extra time to prepare detailed lesson plans and therefore help improve student results.

Gold Coast independent public school Miami State High School allows Year 8-12 students to finish at 1:15pm on Monday.

In addition, Fortitude Valley State Secondary College – which only opened in 2020 – has deliberate late starts due to traffic concerns, being an inner-city campus.

They start at 9.30am four days, and 9.05am on Wednesdays. They finish at 3.25pm daily.

“We have also considered research which indicates that a later start to the school day could be beneficial for students both in terms of their academic studies and their overall wellbeing,” the College website reads.

Mr Breckenridge said he believed Covid played a part in the scheme’s recent resurgence.

“We learned a lot through Covid. Many senior students enjoyed learning online at home and the ability to organise their learning in a way that suited them around external study or apprenticeships, but they were still able to get through the required schoolwork,” he said.

“As a result of Covid, schools are looking at how to best cater for students with all of the other education and training opportunities outside school.”

The shortened weeks idea was reignited by Varsity College on the Gold Coast recently announcing they would trial the idea, and further investigations identified three other schools using the scheme. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Queensland Teachers’ Union president Cresta Richardson said schools make decisions in consultation with staff and their local community.

“Teachers and school leaders are guiding students through a broad range of curriculum through many programs and alternate pathways,” she said.

“Flexibility within a school’s timetable, allows for collective and collaborative conversations in our schools.”

Queensland parents don’t appear to see a slashing of the school week from five to four days as doing anything to address the malaise affecting our education system but 70 per cent of our readers are against the idea.