SCHOOL is back for 2023 with thousands of students across the hinterland packing their bags and tying up their laces ready to return for the schooling year.
Primary schools across the region will this week be welcoming their newest cohort, with hundreds of prep students heading to class for the first time, starting their educational journey.
In recent years, across Queensland, State School enrolments have grown by 3.4 per cent from 2018 to 2022, with the North Coast Region – of which the Sunshine Coast falls within – seeing a 20.4% increase last year. While official 2023 figures won’t be released until later this year, some local schools have seen an increase in student enrolments this year.
Glasshouse Christian College principal Mike Curtis shared that the College’s enrolment numbers across Prep to Year 12 have remained fairly stable over the last few years as they have mostly been at capacity.
“However we have had a marked increase in the number of enrolment enquiries and applications received over the last two years and we are expecting this year to follow this trend,” he said.
Landsborough State School have seen an increase on last year’s student enrolments in both Prep and other year levels and one of the region’s smallest schools, Conondale State School, has also gained enrolments over the Christmas break.
Currently there are 1262 state schools and 545 independent and catholic schools across Queensland, with figures showing a total of 571,550 students were enrolled in Queensland State Schools in August 2022.
According to Public Strategy and Performance figures, published by the Department of Education, 2022 student attendance rates across Queensland fell 3.3%, however extreme weather events and the pandemic may have contributed to a drop in these figures. While official enrolment statistics across Queensland won’t be available for a number of weeks, some schools across the region have seen an increase in enrolments and/or enrolment enquiries recently.
Students aren’t the only new additions to local schools this year, with many hinterland schools welcoming a new cohort of teachers, staff and principles. Along with photos of new and returning students, GC&M News is looking forward to sharing the news of what’s happening in our great local schools throughout 2023.
If you’d like to share photos of your child’s first day of school, please send them through to
reception@gcnews.com.au for inclusion in our next edition.
Main image from left:
Jed is looking forward to? Making friends.
Dream job? Snake catcher.
Harley is looking forward to? Making friends.
Dream job? Shed builder and Motorbike rider.
Ruby is looking forward to? Seeing my friends.
Dream job? Teacher.
Molly is looking forward to? The playground.
Dream job? Zookeeper.
Harper is looking forward to? The playground.
Dream job? Ballerina