Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Education Minister Grace Grace have congratulated all Queensland students, staff, and school communities for their success and resilience in 2022.
The Premier said she was proud of how students, staff and schools had handled the challenges thrown their way in 2022 and was delighted with their achievements.
"We may have started the school year with COVID-19 disruptions and then significant flooding, but we are definitely ending 2022 on a high," the Premier said.
"School communities have proven their resilience once again by bouncing back from every challenge and continuing to deliver excellence in education.
"I wish all of our teachers, students, teacher aides, support staff – our entire school communities - a safe and happy summer holiday and congratulate them on a job well done this year."
Education Minister Grace Grace said 2022 had seen new schools, a record infrastructure investment, and air conditioning delivering to every single school classroom, library, and staffroom in Queensland.
"We opened three new schools in our fastest growing communities and continued to deliver a massive program of works upgrading education infrastructure right across the state," Minister Grace said.
"An investment of $1.9 billion this year alone has supported nearly 4,200 jobs, enhancing the great Queensland lifestyle.
"This year we also completed our $477 million Cooler Cleaner Schools Program, two months ahead of schedule. It means every single classroom, library, and staff room in Queensland is now air conditioned, and the 200,000 solar panels we installed through our Advancing Clean Energy Schools Program are helping to slash electricity costs and cut carbon emissions.
"While students and staff enjoy a well-earned break, construction will be ramping up over the holidays providing important work for tradies during December and January.
"In 2023 we will deliver more classrooms, new schools, and even better facilities.
"South Rock State School at Yarrabilba, Ripley Central State School, Woogaroo Creek State School at Augustine Heights and Palmview State Secondary College will all open their doors to their foundation students on Day 1, 2023.
"These schools will take the total number of new schools opened by the Palaszczuk Government since 2015 to 25."
Minister Grace said the Palaszczuk Government announced significant new education policy initiatives in 2022 that are going to make a huge difference to students, their families, and staff.
"Our game changing disability resourcing model will support 30,000 more students, the government's $1 billion investment means free or cheaper kindy for 40,000 families, and every state school in Queensland will be able to install a Dignity Vending Machine providing free access to period products," Ms Grace said.
"Our bolstered respectful relationships program is now live after a comprehensive review and includes a public hub for students and families as well as specialist advice and professional development for teachers.
"I launched targeted consultation on our new Equity and Excellence strategy, a vision for a high performing, contemporary education system that is unashamedly focused on learning outcomes, and ensures no child is left behind.
"Our $187 million partnership with Telstra is rolling out at lightening speed, with more than 400,000 state school students already able to access internet speeds 40 times faster than at the start of the year: it will be 200 times faster in 2026.
"None of what happens in our schools could happen without our excellent teachers, and I'm proud that 94% of them voted in favour of our EBA which will give them some of the best pay and conditions in the country once it's certified by QIRC.
"I hope all our students and staff are proud of what we have achieved together this year: I know I am.
"Congratulations and thank you for making our education system the success that it is. I wish everyone a safe festive season, and I'm looking forward to another exciting school year in 2023."
