Q. Can students who will be in Year 11 in 2009 register for the Academies?
A. All three Academies are currently accepting registrations from students who will be entering Year 10 in 2009.
From 2009 the Academies will be seeking registrations from Year 10 students only.
Q. Do students have to follow the pathway offered by the university partnered to their particular Academy (i.e. if studying at the Health Sciences Academy, will students need to articulate into the undergraduate Science course and thereafter the Medical Science degree at Griffith University)?
A. Students may follow any tertiary pathway at any university they choose. All students are encouraged, in consultation with their parents, to seek tertiary entrance to the institution that best fits their career aspirations.
Q. What if my child has a bad day when undertaking the entry test? Is there any avenue to appeal should he or she fail?
A. If a student experiences sickness or an incident which prevents him or her from working to their best ability at the test, they are able to submit a ‘considerations request form’ within five working days of the test.
All appeals against the Enrolment Eligibility Committee assessment of 'non offer' are to be submitted to the Queensland Academies Admissions' Centre within ten working days after receiving the 'Letter of Non Offer'. Phone contact with the Admissions' Centre will inform you of the process.
All appeals will be considered on merit in accordance with the enrolment criteria. The appellant will need to present evidence to substantiate a claim that the stated criteria have not been applied correctly, fairly or equitably.
Q. How are teachers at the Academies trained in the IB curriculum?
A. It is a requirement of the Academies' IB authorisation that teachers hold level 1 accreditation in the subjects that they are delivering in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The Queensland Academies have an ongoing commitment to staff to provide them with opportunities to gain further levels of accreditation. We are supportive of teachers gaining some of these qualifications at overseas conferences to further enhance the globalisation of the Academies’ curriculum.
Q. Do the Academies operate on normal school hours?
A. The Queensland Academies operate slightly longer hours of instruction in support of the rigour of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Additionally, some facilities can be accessed for extended periods after and before school through secure swipe card access, (ring the individual Academies for exact hours).
Q. Are there accommodation arrangements?
A. A number of Academies students are living in homestay accommodation. We are currently taking details of people inquiring about homestay for 2009 and are in the process of investigating suitable arrangements.
Q. Will there be a school formal?
A. Yes, students in Year 12 will have a formal.
Q. Is there a school uniform?
A. All students at the Queensland Academies wear a uniform.
Q. What is higher-level mathematics?
A. The higher-level mathematics that is offered as part of the IB is described as a combination of Maths B and Maths C, satisfying the prerequisites for universities.
Q. What is the application process?
A. The application process is as follows:
Q.What is the International Baccalaureate?
A. View detailed information on the IB Diploma.
Q. Does the IB Diploma work on a quota system similar to the OP scores?
A. No. The IB Diploma score is based on student achievement only, there is no quota associated with different scores.
Q. Can students at the Academies participate in sport or instrumental music activities?
A. Activities such as sport and music are encouraged as part of a balanced school life. We are working to develop details around this to meet the needs of the Queensland Academies students.
Q. How are the teachers at Queensland Academies selected?
A. Teachers at the Queensland Academies are selected by a panel of experienced educational professionals. Selection of the teaching staff follows a rigorous process to ensure that the most suitably qualified staff are selected.
Q. Where are the Queensland Academies located?
A. The sites for the Academies have been chosen to allow a close working partnership with three of Queensland's leading universities. The Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology is located close to the University of Queensland in Bywong Street, Toowong. The Academy for Creative Industries is located within the Kelvin Grove Urban Village, close to the Queensland University of Technology. The Queensland Academy for Health Sciences is located next to the Griffith University campus on the Gold Coast.
Q. Can students take their laptop/notebook home?
A. Yes, students are encouraged to integrate technology into every facet of their learning.
Q. Will the Year 12 students need to sit the Queensland Core Skills Test?
A. No, students completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma curriculum at Queensland Academies will receive an IB score. This score does not require the QCS test. The IB score is internationally recognised by universities. In Australia, 40 universities recognise the IB Diploma qualification.
Q. Do Academy students have access to university facilities?
A. Queensland Academies students have access to university facilities as part of the subjects they study at the Queensland Academies.
Q. Is there part payment plans for Queensland Academies fees?
A. A schedule of fee payments is forwarded to parents, after the deposit is paid. There are several options offered and any parent that is experiencing financial difficulty is asked to speak to the principal of the relevant Academy.
Q. In the IB curriculum, when does assessment count towards a student's final score?
A. In all IB programs, the greatest weighting of assessment is from the final piece, which is administered during November of Year 12. All students receive a handbook that outlines their assessment commitments.
Q. Do students attending the Academies have the same vacation periods as other state high schools?
A. Yes, vacation times of the Academies are consistent with Education Queensland State High Schools. The current copy of these term dates.
Q. What extracurricular activities are offered?
A. Extracurricular activities are offered as part of the Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) program. Students are surveyed to develop a range of extracurricular activities that meet their needs. These encompass a variety of academic, sporting and cultural activities.
Q. Do the Academies plan to extend their enrolments to years 8 and 9?
A. At this stage Queensland Academies is teaching the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma curriculum to Years 10, 11 and 12.
Q. Is student transport subsidised?
A. No. Students enrolled at the Queensland Academies receive the same student discounts on public transport as other students receive. Translink can provide ticketing and fare information for students planning to travel by bus or train.
Q. Do Academy students participate in school camps and excursions?
A. Yes, Queensland Academy students will be invited to participate in off-campus activities as part of their studies.
Q. How do IB scores translate to OP scores?
A. All students of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program must complete six subjects and each is scored out of a possible seven points, plus the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge which collectively earns up to three bonus points. The final IB score is the sum of the results from the six subjects and the bonus points. Therefore, the maximum IB points available are 45. The exact comparison of IB score to the Overall Position (OP) changes each year. In 2007, an IB score of 41 points or above was equivalent to an OP 1 score.
Q. Are Academy students charged an additional fee towards the use of the school Resource Centre/Library?
A. Parents are responsible for paying a program fee which is $1568 per annum (subject to CPI), a textbook hire fee, the cost of uniforms and stationery and the provision of an individual computer for their child. There will be no additional fee towards the Resource Centre/Library.
Q. What is the advantage of studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma course?
A. The IB Diploma Program has become a leading, internationally recognised pre-university qualification and is a symbol of academic excellence worldwide. It aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Students will also benefit from the academic enrichment through collaboration with universities and industry.
Q. Do the Academies host parent/teacher interviews?
A. Queensland Academies provide parents and students with frequent opportunities to engage in communication regarding the progress of students. Students are mentored in small groups by an academic adviser to ensure their individual curriculum plans are meeting their needs.
Q. How many students are at each Academy?
A. Each Academy when fully developed will have no more than 450 students enrolled.
Q. Are students responsible for purchasing their own stationery?
A. Prior to the end of the school year students and parents will receive a stationery list, presented by subject, for each Academy. It will be the responsibility of families to ensure that students are equipped for learning. Calculators are considered to be part of this stationery list.
Q. What are the details of the laptop program?
A. All Academies students have access to a personal IT device. Education Queensland is currently investigating a range of computing options for 2009. This process will be extensive to ensure the computer fits the needs of the learner, the learning environment and will remain current for the duration of the Diploma program.
Q. What are the opening hours of the Resource Centre/Library?
A. The IB Diploma program necessitates considerable research and the opening hours of the Resource Centre will reflect this. Details will be outlined in the Student Handbook which is distributed early in the 2008 school year.
Q. How do students express their interest in the Instrumental Music program?
A. Student surveys will gather this and other necessary information.
Q. What is the final date for payment of the $250 deposit?
A. In general, payment of the deposit is sought a fortnight after the offer of enrolment is made. However, if you have difficulty meeting these timelines please speak to the principal of the relevant Academy.
Q. What are the class sizes at the Academies?
A. The Academies utilises learning environments that are not traditionally experienced in schools such as lectures, tutorials and practicals. This means that class sizes will vary, although generally tutorial groups will remain small.
Q. What level of subject will be studied and when will decisions be made about which subjects are studied at the higher level?
A. Because of the unique nature of the selective entry of the Academies, all students will commence studying at the Higher Level. Parents and students will be guided through the choice of which subjects to continue at this level. The study of a second language sits outside this arrangement. The study of a second language is a mandatory part of the IB Diploma.
Q. Are steps taken to assist students coming from so many different schools to build friendships?
A. Student friendships are an integral part of the social development and learning environment. Principals and staff have strategies in place to enable friendship networks to be established.
Q. When will the first term begin?
A. School terms will be consistent with other Education Queensland schools.
Q. Are students able to access past IB exam papers?
A. Queensland Academies will purchase past exam papers which can be used as a guide for students to familiarise themselves with the examination format.
Q. Will the entry level be lowered to fill classes?
A. Queensland Academies are open to the state's highest achieving students. A panel of experienced educational professionals use a consistent process and selection criteria to ensure places are offered to students with capacity to meet the rigour of the IB Diploma course. Established benchmarks are applied to all student results to evaluate offers.
