Education Department to run rule over NQ schools

TWENTY-FIVE North Queensland state schools will be reviewed this year as part of the Education Department’s quadrennial performance analysis.

The department reviews all state schools at least once every four years to look at performance data, and to talk with school community members, including staff, parents and students.

A report will be given to the schools that details key findings and improvement strategies for the school to consider.

Pimlico State High School is one of the schools to be reviewed, but will also undertake an extra review to renew its Council of International Schools accreditation.

Executive principal Joel Buchholz ( pictured) said the review was important to ensure the school con- tinued to strive for im- provement.

“Our world is evolv- ing rapidly and schools need to be constantly reflecting on and im- proving their practices and ensuring they are appropriate and respon- sive to the needs of stu- dents, the community and d i industry,” he said.

“As a school leader, I believe it is critical we get feedback and input from beyond our own school community. We can always learn from others.”

The department has tr trained experienced principa pals to visit the school for the pr process.

“The review process provides vi comprehensive feedba back across all aspects of the sc school’s operations, from staffing st to student wellbeing, from fr curriculum offerings to fa facilities,” Mr Buchholz said. “Our last school review was w in late 2015.

“The outcomes of the review were used to identify the priorities in our last strategic plan.”

But Pimlico would go one step further and undertake the CIS review, Mr Buchholz said.

“This ensures our review process has not just a Queensland lens, but a truly international lens, ensuring we are evaluated against international standards of best practice in education,” he said. “Pimlico is one of only 40 schools around Australia and approximately 600 around the globe that have met the stringent requirements of CIS accreditation.”

Mr Buchholz said in the 12 months leading up to the CIS review, staff had been working in teams reviewing and evaluating practices against the CIS standards.

“When our review team visits in October, they will be verifying the findings and recommendations made by our staff,” he said.