Balonne Shire Council - Learning Opportunities
MEDIA RELEASE
30 September 2022
BALLONE WON'T BACK DOWN ON BETTER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
In issue 27 of the Balonne Bulletin, Balonne Shire Council published an article on the recommendations of the Learning Opportunities Report, commissioned by Council in response to community concerns about educational issues in the region and the impacts on attraction and retention of families in the community.
Over 140 people participated in the community consultation process, the overwhelming majority of whom recognised the high quality of teachers within all schools across the Shire. However, many respondents felt there were continuing issues with poor school attendance, behavioural issues not being addressed and students, parents and family becoming disengaged.
On 1 September, Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O’Toole and CEO Matthew Magin met with four senior representatives of the Department of Education, including Regional Director, Leanne Wright and Assistant Director General, Liam Smith, who travelled to St George for the meeting.
Mayor O’Toole said she was pleased that Council and the Department were now working together towards a positive outcome for students, teachers and the wider community.
“We are very encouraged by the response we received from the Department of Education and will continue to push for the best educational outcomes for our shire,” she said.
“For me, that means continuing to push until every child feels safe and encouraged to learn and grow in our schools, that every teacher feels supported by senior leaders to deliver the best educational outcomes for our children. We will keep pushing until every parent and carer feels their children have access to learning opportunities that match or exceed the quality of education offered in bigger towns and cities.”
Council has received confirmation from Education Queensland that they will be supplying additional resources to all year seven students at St George Senior High School, at the start of term four. Council is working with Education Queensland and St George SHS to pursue opportunities to develop St George SHS as an Agriculture, Water and Environment School of Excellence. Council has also offered a restorative practices behavioural management training course to all schools within the Shire, prior to the commencement of the new school year in 2023, with funding provided by Care Balonne.
In their September meeting, Council considered all recommendations of the report and resolved to adopt them unanimously. Council also clarified its role to work with key stakeholders within the community, Education Queensland, and other relevant agencies, to support and advocate for the implementation of the recommendations and assist in identifying funding required to implement the report.
ENDS
For more information:
Rebecca Lomman, Communications Officer
T: 07 4620 8888 | E: rebecca.lomman@balonne.qld.gov.au