There’s an extra week of school this year, but some kids have been told to take holidays

Schoolkids have been given the green light to take holidays during the final week of term at some state schools, with parents told their children will be supervised but won’t have normal classes.

The Queensland state school year is this year the longest since 2018 – 41 weeks instead of 40 – with an extra week added to the end of term four.

But at some schools, attendance during the final week will be optional.

Queensland’s state school year is the longest since 2018 – but not all students will attend up to the final day.Credit: iStock

In an email to parents, one Brisbane primary school said the education department had given permission for all state schools to teach a 10-week academic term, followed by a week of supervision.

Families at the school have been told they can take holidays, if they wish, after December 6.

Any students still attending will have supervised alternative activities, not connected to the Australian curriculum.

They would not necessarily have their usual teacher, and might be combined into groups of varying ages – but would still have to wear uniforms.

Some teachers would use the week to prepare for 2025.

Queensland Teachers’ Union acting president Leah Olsson said the 41-week year was an example of teachers’ and school leaders’ ability to adjust their calendar to meet real-life circumstances.

“We currently have a teacher shortage crisis, unmanageable workload as a direct effect, coupled with rising occupational violence and aggression,” she said.

“The Queensland Teachers’ Union is currently advocating for four collaboration days per year in line with private schools for teachers to plan and prepare lessons.

“This 41-week year is a clear example of how that is reasonable and achievable.”

Queensland Association of State School Principals president Pat Murphy said schools might offer different activities during the final week to make it “as attractive as possible for students to come to school”.

An education department spokeswoman said schools were open until the end of the school year, including week 11 of term four.

“In the final week of term four, schools can implement an enhanced focus on student engagement, cultural and wellbeing activities through alternative programs,” she said.

“Queensland state schools typically have 40 school weeks each year, except for every four to six years when the calendar extends to 41 weeks.”

She said the school calendars for 2021 to 2025 had been developed in mid-2017.

New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT also have 41-week school years this year.

For Queensland families at state schools who do attend in the final week, the year is up to five-and-a-half weeks longer than it is at some private schools.

Brisbane Boys’ College, for example, finishes on November 28, making it a nine-week term, and St Margaret’s will finish the year on November 21.

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