Schools

ICPA Qld advocates to ensure the continuity of delivery of quality educational services to students in rural and remote schools and access to a broad range of subjects and school experiences to cater for the varying needs of isolated students. 

The Schools portfolio includes issues surrounding access to, and the delivery of, quality educational services to students in rural and remote schools. Schools are the hub of a rural community and many struggle to access quality opportunities in the education of their students.

In 2024 the Schools Portfolio will focus on issues including: 

• lowering the requirements for the allocation of two full-time teachers in small schools from 21 to 16 enrolments
• increasing minimum funding for a second teacher in Level 1 small schools
• ensuring small schools with teaching Principals are allocated and resourced with the required levels of administrative support to ensure administration tasks do not take away from valuable teaching and learning time within the classroom

What ICPA Qld does for your School?

• Advocates to the DoE to decrease the student: teacher ratio in small schools—the most recent decrease in 2013 was entirely due to the lobby of ICPA Qld—an extra .5 teacher allocation to all schools with more than 21 students is a proud achievement.
• Works with DoE and universities to improve the attraction and retention of quality teachers to small schools - we offer reward packages to preservice teachers who have undertaken a rural practicum and currently we are lobbying to make rural education a key focus in education courses. (for more information on this please refer to Teacher Education tab).
• Advises DoE, Telstra and nbn on issues which impact on the delivery of quality internet service to our small schools, and as a direct result trials have been conducted with many schools which have resulted in a focus on connectivity across rural and remote Queensland schools (for more information on this please refer to Communications tab).
• Makes submissions to relevant groups to ensure rural and remote education remains a key consideration in legislative or program change
• Are available to provide information to support Principals in their school community, particularly in terms of RREAP and their accountability to their P&C.
• Remains a key stakeholder and active participant in various departmental groups.
• Continues to advocate to the Dept of Transport and Translink regarding maintaining rural bus routes, reviewing conveyance allowances and student fares. (for more information on this please refer to Travel tab).
• Has worked closely with TAFE Qld and DoE to ensure flexibility for students who are accessing VET in our small secondary schools.
• Liaises with DoE regarding the Australian Curriculum within our classrooms and the access to extracurricular activities within our regions. (for more information on this please refer to Curriculum tab).
• Meets regularly with key DoE branches regarding Infrastructure, Information Technology, Curriculum, Operations and People, Infomration and Communication Services (PICS).

As part of the Joint Parent Council, ICPA Qld works closely with P&C's Qld, Catholic School Parents Queensland and the Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network. We work together to provide the power of a united voice behind important issues which affect the education of all children across Queensland. ICPA Qld appreciates the consistent support and guidance which is always shown from our colleagues within these organisations.  

RREAP

Rural and Remote Education Access Program (RREAP) procedure is available here. 

Queensland Children's Hospital School

The Queensland Children's Hospital School (QCHS) offers world class educational programs to school-aged children affected by hospitalisation, including patients and family members of hospitalised patients across Queensland to ensure educational continuity for all. The Queensland Children’s Hospital School, in partnership with regional hospital programs, is leading excellence in hospital teaching and learning through innovative and inclusive practices.

Campuses are located at:

• Queensland Children's Hospital (South Brisbane)
• Mater Health Services Building (South Brisbane)
• Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (Herston)
• Jacaranda Place (Chermside) and
• Act for kids Pre-Prep (Wooloowin)

ICPA Qld has a representative which sits on the Hospital Schooling Advisory Council.  In previous years this role was filled by Mrs Margie Greenway, and since 2020, Mrs Judy Treloar has kindly undertaken this role on our behalf.  Judy attends quarterly meetings in Brisbane as part of this representation and ICPA Qld State Council appreciates the opportunity to monitor the educational opportunities for those children, particularly from rural and remote Queensland, who are faced with difficulties due to an accident or illness.  

ICPA Qld Schools Portfolio Report 2023 and the Schools Portfolio Policy are available for your perusal.