QUEENSLAND Minister for Education Geoff Wilson was on hand recently to see Year 7 students from St William’s, Grovely, graduate primary school.
The students were one of the state’s trial Prep classes in 2003 and their primary school graduation was the culmination of eight years of full-time study.
Principal Janet Smith said St William’s was one of three Queensland Catholic schools chosen for the Prep trial, the others being St James’, Coorparoo, and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Darra/Jindalee.
“We were allowed one stream of Prep that was 25 kids and our Preps and preschoolers shared some of the same resources,” she said.
Ms Smith said the trial went for three years from 2003-05, with 2006 an “in-between year” before Prep was then introduced into the schooling system in 2007.
She said the demand for places was quite high.
“We had no trouble filling those 25 places. We had more demand than places, with parents looking for something full-time,” she said.
Ms Smith said she believed the trial had worked well.
“At the end of their Prep year they were more than ready for Grade One and they have been excellent school leaders.”
A special graduation liturgy, celebrated by parish priest Fr Frank Lourigan, was held on November 30 in the St William’s Church.
