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Media Releases

The latest media releases, opinion pieces and letters to the editor on a range of issues that affect the independent school sector.

Media ContactsCallum Bentley | Advocacy & Public Relations Manager | 0428 612 315 media@isq.qld.edu.au 

 

Past Issues

Independent Schools Queensland welcomes 2023-24 State Budget | 14 June 2023 | Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) has welcomed the ongoing capital funding assistance and recurrent funding for non-state schools outlined in the 2023-24 State budget.  

Size not an issue for small schools delivering quality outcomes | 30 March 2023 | More than half of Queensland’s independent schools are proving that when it comes to size, good things really can come in small packages.  

Brisbane teachers to present early years language research on global stage | 21 March 2023 | Extensive school-based research, focusing on the role of families in overcoming challenges in literacy development in the early years, will see two Brisbane independent school teachers head to the United Kingdom’s prestigious Oxford University to present their findings.

Independent Schools Queensland welcomes appointment of NSSAB reviewer | 15 March 2023 | Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) welcomes the appointment of Cheryl Vardon as independent reviewer of the accreditation framework for non-state schools in Queensland.

Queensland independent school sector continues to grow | 15 February 2023 | New data shows a growing number of parents are choosing to enrol their children in Queensland’s independent schools.  

New independent schools and enrolments for 2023 | 23 December 2022 | Queensland independent schools are expected to welcome more than 145,000 new and returning domestic students in 2023.

 

Year 12 Students ready to log on to receive final results | 15 December 2022 | The culmination of 13 years of schooling life is almost upon the 2022 cohort of Year 12 students as they await the release of their final results.

Independent Schools Queensland announces new board chair | 5 December 2022 | Dr Phillip Moulds OAM, Headmaster at The Rockhampton Grammar School, has been appointed Chair of the Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) Board of Directors.

Cohort of Queensland teachers at the top of their class | 2 December 2022 | More than 40 independent school teachers from across Queensland have joined a growing cohort of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALT), the two most advanced levels of the Australian professional standards for teachers. 

World-leading findings from Queensland parent engagement research | 30 November 2022 | The ‘how to’ of engaging parents in their child’s learning and wellbeing – a concept known as parent engagement – is a step closer thanks to world-leading findings from a research project with Queensland independent schools.

Report shows independent schools serve families from all income levels | 23 November 2022 | A new report released today has busted common myths about parental income and school choice, revealing Queensland families from all income levels choose independent schools.

Celebrating Queensland teachers who have taught through every moment | 27 October 2022 | Teachers across the state will be acknowledged today (28 October 2022) as part of World Teachers’ Day celebrations.  

Queensland independent school joins leaders in 24-hour initiative to improve education | 20 October 2022 | A Brisbane independent school will represent Queensland at a global coming together of educators focusing on innovation in the sector, when the 24 Hours for Change in Education initiative kicks off today.

Queensland independent school leaders bringing the world to students' door | 10 October 2022 Leaders from Queensland independent schools will come together today to share ideas and explore new ways and concepts to truly prepare their students to become global citizens.  

Queensland independent schools share their Big Ideas | 15 July 2022 Trailblazing Queensland independent schools that are reinventing classroom learning will share their approaches and projects at a major education summit in Brisbane on Monday (18 July).

Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network appoints new Executive Officer | 1 July 2022 Amanda Watt has been appointed Executive Officer of the Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network (QIS Parents Network), the representative body for the needs and interests of parents who choose an independent education for their children.

Independent Schools Queensland welcomes 2022-23 State Budget | 22 June 2022 Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) has welcomed the ongoing capital funding for non-state schools outlined in the 2022-23 State Budget.

ISQ Welcomes new Federal Education Minister as independent school enrolments hit all time high | 1 June 2022  Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) welcomes Hon Jason Clare MP as the new Federal Minister for Education and Senator Anthony Chisolm as Assistant Minister.

ISQ Masterclass empowers female school leaders | 20 May 2022 Experienced female leaders from Queensland independent schools have boosted their career potential this week after participating in Independent Schools Queensland’s (ISQ) Women in Leadership masterclass.

Independent schools tick the box for parents during COVID-19: What Parents Want latest survey | 28 April The proactive and positive way independent schools have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic has proven a major drawcard for parents deciding where to send their children to school, according to a major parent survey on school choices released today.

Independent Schools Queensland releases five key education priorities ahead of federal election | 22 April Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) has today released its Federal Election Statement which contains five key priority areas for an incoming Australian Government. 

Researcher led parent engagement workshop series explores how to engage busy parents | 28 March Tweaking the ways schools communicate with their families can lead to effective parent engagement, which in turn can lead to improved academic and social outcomes for children, according to a researcher-led parent engagement workshop.

Specialist Independent Schools Provide Educational Lifeline for Disengaged Youth | 25 March  Independent Special Assistance Schools in Queensland offer a much-needed educational lifeline for students experiencing complex challenges and education disruption and have seen almost 50% growth in enrolments in 12-months, with more than 4,400 students currently enrolled in 28 schools across 42 campuses.

Queensland Independent Schools Adopt a Kindness Culture | 18 March Queensland independent school students will join fellow students from across the country today (Friday 18 March) in promoting inclusion, respect and community belonging as part of the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

Number of Queensland's Top Teaching Talent Set to Rise | 3 March More than 60 independent school teachers from across Queensland will have their teaching practice and impact evaluated through one of the country’s most prestigious national certification programs.

Queensland Independent Schooling Sector Shows Strong Growth | 24 February Parental confidence in Queensland independent schools continues to strengthen with new data showing sector enrolments grew by 4.5% in the 12 months between August 2020-2021 to more than 136,000 students.

ISQ Welcomes Additional $1 Billion Kindergarten Funding | 23 February Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) welcomes today’s announcement by the Queensland Government of an additional $1 billion in funding for kindergartens over the next five years.

New Independent Schools and Enrolments for 2022 | 24 January Queensland independent schools are expected to welcome more than 138,000 new and returning domestic students in 2022. Two new independent schools and one new campus have also been approved to open in Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Term 1, 2022. They will bring the total number of independent schools in Queensland to 231 operating across more than 280 campuses.

Final Results Ready to be Published for Year 12 Students | 16 December The moment many outgoing Year 12 students are waiting for is almost upon them after another challenging year for students across the state.

A Year of triumph for 23 Exceptional Independent School Teachers | 3 December  Despite the past 18-months of disruption to the education sector, 23 Queensland independent school educators have powered through the completion of the national Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALT) certification to place them among the nation’s most proficient teachers.

EPIC Report breaks new ground in Parent Engagement | 29 November Practical, evidence-based strategies that engage parents in their child’s learning should be encouraged as “routine practice” in schools and classrooms, the final report from the year-long Engaging Parents in Inquiry Curriculum (EPIC) has recommended.

School Leaders' and Staff Wellbeing Critical for Student Success: Report | 24 November The wellbeing of school leaders and staff is critical for student success according to Professor Donna Cross in a ground-breaking report commissioned under Independent Schools Queensland’s (ISQs)Our Schools – Our Future initiative which is designed to promote informed public policy debate.

Farewell to Year 12 Students | 19 November The 13-year school journey of more than 10,000 Queensland Year 12s attending independent schools comes to an end on Friday 19 November and we wish this extraordinary group of young people every success for the future.

Thank You to our Teachers who are at the Heart of Learning | 28 October Teachers’ roles are at the heart of learning and will be celebrated across the state today and tomorrow when Queensland pays tribute to the profession.

Growing Research Base confirms Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers influence education improvement | 12 October Queensland’s independent schooling sector is contributing to a growing body of evidence that confirms the significant role the nation’s most accomplished teachers are playing in student and school improvement in Australian education.

Forum Celebrates the Complexity and Robustness of School Boards | 17 September Independent schools steered by experienced and agile boards are successfully navigating their way through the COVID-19 pandemic. This is one of the discussion points at tomorrow’s (18/9) Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) Governance Forum.

More Children Studying via Distance Education in Queensland Independent Schools during the Pandemic | 24 August There are 12.4% more students studying at home through accredited distance education programs in Queensland independent schools than there were prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and 52% more than five years ago.

Skills Training Popular with Queensland Senior Students | 23 August Queensland high school students are continuing to embrace real-world skills training with almost two-thirds of the graduating class of 2020 finishing with an industry-recognised qualification.

High Praise for the Compassion of COVID-19 Impacted School Communities | 9 August Today independent schools in Queensland’s South-East welcomed students back into the classroom while schools in Cairns switched to remote learning.

The Brain Science Behind Developing Better Learners | 9 August Neuroscience education experts will address accelerated breakthroughs in brain science and how these advances can be applied to teaching and learning over a four-day online conference starting Monday 9 August. 

There’s Nothing Small About ISQ’s Big Ideas Summit | 23 July Trail blazing Queensland independent schools that are reinventing classroom learning will share their approaches and projects at ISQ's major education summit in Brisbane on Monday 26 July.

New ISQ CEO Signals Focus on Expanding School Choice to meet Interstate Migration Demand | 12 July Creating more school choice for new and existing Queensland families is a key goal for Independent Schools Queensland’s new Chief Executive Officer Christopher Mountford.

Some School Students and Teachers Feeling the Effects of "Covid Hangover": New Research | 17 June The COVID-19 home learning period had a greater impact on student wellbeing than academic progress, with some students and staff experiencing a “COVID hangover” from 2020 that is continuing to affect motivation, anxiety and engagement levels, according to new research commissioned by Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ).

COVID-19 Showed Schools Must Keep Moving with the Times | 16 June COVID-19 put the world in a time machine and took it forward at least 10 years in the space of a few months which created the greatest disruption to education in more than a century, trend forecaster and best-selling author Michael McQueen will tell Queensland independent school leaders this week.

State Budget Confirms Extra Capital Funding to Start Flowing to Non-State Schools in 2021-22 | 15 June Eligible Queensland independent schools will have access to an increased pool of capital funding from the State Government to support the development of new and upgraded facilities in 2021-22, according to State Budget papers released today.

Australia’s Future Worker Will be a Lifetime Learner: ISQ State Forum | 15 June By 2040 Australia’s future workers will invest 33% more time than today’s employees reskilling and upskilling over their lifetime, University of Queensland (UQ) Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deborah Terry AO will tell participants at the 17 June Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) State Forum.

Education Needs a Reboot not a Tweak: ISQ State Forum Presenter | 14 June Contemporary schooling needs a critical rethink to break the “engagement epidemic” turning students off learning and a reboot that extends far beyond “a couple of tweaks to curriculum”, Australian learning strategist Louka Parry will tell school leaders at the upcoming Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) State Forum.

“Accidental” Millennial Leader and Social Entrepreneur set to Inspire at ISQ State Forum | 4 June Felicity Furey is a passionate social entrepreneur and “accidental” leader who inspires female high school students to study STEM and is encouraging the state’s “wisdom workers” to give their millennial workforce more opportunities to step up and lead.

Research Identifies Expert Classroom Teachers as Influential Middle School Leaders | 3 June A study examining the impact of a pioneering group of nationally certified Queensland independent school teachers has revealed their potential to play a greater role in shaping school-wide classroom teaching practices and improvement agendas.

School Leaders Set to Celebrate Schooling Reimagined at ISQ 2021 State Forum | 26 May Independent school leaders across Queensland will come together on 17 June to celebrate the changes and challenges of 2020 and schooling reimagined at the Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) State Forum.

New Legislation Supports Greater Workforce Mobility | 18 May Registered teachers may be able to work across borders more freely after Federal Parliament passed a new Bill that supports greater workforce mobility across the nation.

Budget Funding Security for Kindergarten Services Welcomed by Independent Schools | 12 May Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) today welcomed the $1.6 billion four-year funding investment in approved kindergarten programs in the 2021-22 Federal Budget, saying it will give services and families certainty.

ISQ Masterclass Empowers More Women to “Step Up” to Lead Australian Schools | 21 April Aspiring female leaders in Queensland independent schools will this week break down gendered stereotypes of leaders and challenge their own perceptions and expectations during a masterclass hosted by Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ).

New Chief Executive Officer Appointed to Lead Independent Schools Queensland | 20 April The Chair of Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ), Karen Spiller OAM CF today announced the ISQ Board has appointed Christopher Mountford as the incoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Independent Schools Queensland, ahead of the current Executive Director, David Robertson’s retirement in July. 

Network of Specialist Independent Schools Provide an Education Lifeline | 19 March  Queensland families desperately seeking an education lifeline for teenagers who have experienced complex challenges, trauma or education disruption are turning to a growing network of independent Special Assistance Schools.

Students Say "Bullying No Way" | 18 March  Queensland independent school students will unite with students around the state and nation on Friday 19 March to send a powerful message that bullying and violence have no place on the playground or in the community. 

Forum Celebrates the Big Impact of Small Schools | 5 March  Small schools are becoming a bigger part of Queensland’s independent schooling sector.

Queensland Set to Bolster the Ranks of the Nation's Network of Top Teaching Talent | 22 February  A record number of Queensland independent school teachers - double the number in 2020 - have put themselves forward to have their teaching practice and impact evaluated and confirmed through a prestigious national certification program.

New Data Confirms the Value of Independent Schools to Queensland Parents | 19 February  Parental confidence in Queensland independent schools continues to strengthen with new data showing sector enrolments grew by 4.5% between August 2019 and 2020 to more than 130,000 students.

Latest Annual Report on Total Government Spending on School Education Released | 2 February  More than three quarters of state and federal funding for school education in Queensland is directed to state schools, the latest report on government expenditure has again confirmed.

Letter to the Editor - Growing Independent Sector | 2 February  Independent Schools Queensland put the facts on the record about the growth of the independent schooling sector in this letter to the Editor of The Courier-Mail.

Back to School 2021 - New Independent Schools and Enrolments | 22 January  Queensland independent schools are expected to welcome about 130,000 new and returning domestic students in 2021.

New Federal Education Minister Announced | 18 December Independent Schools Queensland today thanked outgoing Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan for his political leadership of the education portfolio over the past three years while also welcoming Alan Tudge to the role.

Final Countdown to the Release of Year 12 Results | 18 December The wait for final results is almost over for Queensland’s 50,000 history-making Year 12s.

A Year of Triumph for 30 Exceptional Independent School Teachers | 9 December The COVID-19 global pandemic did not stop 30 Queensland independent school teachers from completing an 18-month national certification program in 2020 that cements their standing among the nation’s most accomplished.

Promised Capital Injection for Non-State Schools Confirmed in State Budget | 1 December Additional capital funding for non-state schools promised by the Palaszczuk Government during the recent state election will start flowing from 2021-22 according to State Budget papers released today.

Historic Year 12 Cohort Farewells School Forever | 20 November The 13-year school journey of about 50,000 Queensland Year 12s comes to an end today.

Independent School Communities Welcome Reappointment of Grace Grace MP as Queensland Education Minister | 11 November Queensland’s independent schooling sector today welcomed the reappointment of Grace Grace MP as Queensland Education Minister in a third-term Palaszczuk Government.

Independent School Peak Bodies Look Forward to Continuing Strong Working Partnership with Palaszczuk Government | 2 November Queensland independent school communities are looking forward to continuing their strong working partnership with the Palaszczuk Government over the next four years, according to the sector’s peak bodies.

Teachers Triumph in 2020 - #ThankQldTeachers | 30 October 2020 has been a year of triumph for 30 exceptional Queensland independent school teachers who have earned the highest levels of professional career recognition in Australia.

Independent School Communities Welcome Funding Pledge by LNP | 29 October ISQ has welcomed an election commitment by an LNP-led Queensland Government for funding certainty in non-state schools.

Lessons from the Dining Room Classroom for Parent Engagement in Student Learning | 28 October Queensland’s short-term home learning period could have long-term benefits for school and family partnerships and student outcomes, according to a new issues paper by Griffith University academics commissioned by ISQ.

Year 12s Set to Mark a Personal and Historic Education Milestone | 23 October Queensland Year 12s have just one weekend left before they mark off another 2020 milestone - to be the first seniors in 50 years to sit statewide subject-based external assessments that will contribute to their final results.

Schools Research Unique Approaches to Engage Families in Student Learning | 22 October Queensland independent schools are adopting new approaches to engage their diverse parent groups in all areas of student learning, from maths to early oral language development.

Election Boost Promised for Parent Engagement in Qld Independent Schools | 20 October Queensland independent school communities have welcomed the commitment by a re-elected Labor State Government to provide additional support to the sector’s peak parent body to enhance family engagement in student learning.

Independent School Communities Welcome Infrastructure Election Pledge by Labor Party | 9 October Independent Schools Queensland has today welcomed a $180 million commitment by a Labor-led Queensland Government for infrastructure projects in non-state schools.

Global Education Experts Set to Challenge School Mindsets and Practice | 17 August Schools - now more than ever - must engage with their students and give them opportunities to contribute to their own learning, school and communities in meaningful ways, according to internationally renowned academics.

Independent Schooling Sector Releases 2020 Queensland Election Statement | 5 August In the lead up to the 2020 State Election independent schools and their families will be advocating for policy reforms that empower the sector to maximise its contribution to Queensland’s COVID-19 economic and social recovery.

Could COVID-19 be the Catalyst to Transform Schooling - New ISQ Issues Paper | 4 August The emergency transformation of schooling during the pandemic could be the catalyst for real reform that addresses some of the thorniest challenges facing education, according to a provocative issues paper released by ISQ.

From the Classroom to the Dining Room - Lessons from Home Learning for Parent Engagement | 27 July Lessons from the COVID-19 home learning period for school-family relationships and parent engagement headlined a webinar featuring Queensland independent schools and leading academics today.

Strong and Growing Qld Independent Schooling Sector Important to COVID-19 Recovery | 18 June The livelihoods of more than 33,000 Queenslanders and almost $5 billion worth of economic activity rely on a strong and growing independent schooling sector, according to new modelling released today.

School's in for Queensland Students | 24 May After five weeks of home-based learning Queensland Years 2-10 students will tomorrow (Monday 25 May) join their younger and older peers in the classroom as the state resumes on-campus learning for all students.

Qld Govt Gives Green Light to Years 2-10 Students Returning to School | 15 May The Queensland Government has given the green light for students in Years 2-10 to return to school on 25 May.

New Family and Learning Routines Accompany Staged Return to School in Qld | 10 May Independent school principals and staff will welcome back about 38,000 of the sector’s youngest and oldest students tomorrow (Monday 11 May) as part of Queensland’s gradual return to school.

Welcome First Step to Returning Students to the Classroom | 4 May Queensland schools will take an important first step towards re-opening following the Premier’s announcement today that the state’s oldest and youngest students would be the first to return to the classroom on Monday 11 May.

Priority for Independent Schools is Educating Students | 29 April Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) whilst welcoming the offer by the Federal Government to bring forward recurrent grant payments for independent schools, says that the conditions on the offer put schools in a difficult position.

ISQ Calls for Immediate Return of Year 11 and 12 Students | 26 April Independent schools have called on the Queensland Government to allow all Year 11 and 12 students to return to school immediately.

Qld Independent Schools Must Come out the Other Side of this Pandemic | 24 April Queensland independent schools are supporting families experiencing financial hardship while also making tough decisions to ensure they remain viable and able to continue educating students.

School-Family Partnerships Have Never Been More Important | 20 April The partnerships between independent schools and parents have never been more important as communities work together to transition to new learning routines and approaches in Term 2, according to the sector’s peak bodies.

Independent Schools Rise to Challenges of COVID-1916 April Queensland independent schools and their dedicated staff are this week testing technology, finalising lesson materials and communicating their new-look approaches to learning for Term 2 with their parents and students.

Parents of 1 in 7 school-age Queenslanders Choose Independent Schools | 6 February The growth trajectory of Queensland’s independent schooling sector is continuing with new enrolment figures showing 3.2% growth in the last year, with enrolments into Year 7 increasing by nearly 8%.

Letter to the Editor - All Schools Need Funding | 5 February The headline figures from the latest Productivity Commission 2020 report on government services for school education (C-M, Feb 4) are clear and simple.

New Report Dispels Funding Myths with Clear Facts | 4 February About 76% of total public funding for school education in Queensland is spent on state schools with the remaining 24% shared between Catholic and independent schools, the latest comprehensive report on government services reveals.

Extra Funding Injection for Drought-Affected School Communities Welcomed | 28 January The Queensland independent schooling sector has welcomed the injection of additional federal funding into drought-impacted school communities.

Back to School 2020 - Qld Set to Usher in Extraordinary Year | January 2020 will be an extraordinary year for school education in Queensland with enrolments set to spike and Year 12s to sit external assessments for the first time in almost 50 years.

Back to School 2020 - New Independent Schools and Campuses | January 2020 Queensland’s independent schooling sector is continuing its growth trajectory with eight new schools and campuses set to open in the first half of 2020.

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