Education—building life skills and inspiring bright minds

Tech-savvy teachers target talking

Three tech-savvy teachers from Cleveland State School have developed a free, on-the-go app to help busy parents find free ideas and activities to encourage conversations with their kids.

The SPEAK (Speaking Promotes Education and Knowledge) app provides a range of fun activities, ideas and information for parents, carers and educators to support and nurture oral language development in children aged 0–6 years.

In her role as Cleveland State School Deputy Principal, Stephanie Crick along with teachers Trish Blake and Clare Skelly developed the app in conjunction with Redland Libraries, the Department of Education, Training and Employment and the Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing.

Find out more and download the SPEAK app today to help achieve our Education target that 100 per cent of Queensland children have basic literacy and numeracy in primary school.

Wireless wisdom: Queensland’s Distance Education

Image provided by Lime Photography.

Queensland’s first School of the Air opened its doors in 1960 in Cloncurry, when wireless meant radio rather than wi-fi. The schools have gone on to offer generations of children in remote and isolated communities access to quality primary and secondary education.

Today, this inspirational service is still breaking down the geographic boundaries of Queensland’s vast outback with new technologies supporting learning through online resources and video conferencing for 'on-air' lessons. Real-time online collaboration will allow these schools to keep finding new ways to foster bright minds across the state.

Visit the Education Queensland website to learn how this service is helping children reach their full potential.

Mentors making a difference

The next generation of leaders in Queensland’s vital tourism industry are gaining a competitive edge through the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Young Professionals Mentoring Program. Sharing knowledge across the generations, the program offers employees who are 35 years or younger professional development and new experiences by matching them with a senior industry professional.

Whether through established programs or informal coaching, mentoring is just one example of how Queenslanders can further their knowledge and skills base through lifelong learning.

Recognising our educators

Wendy, a Central Queensland TAFE business and HRM teacher, was named Vocational Education and Training (VET) Teacher/Trainer of the Year at the 2013 regional Queensland Training Awards.

The Queensland Training Awards are the state's highest recognition of people and organisations who strive for success, best practice and innovation in training.

Wendy is just one example of the highly qualified educators we have in Queensland.