Bribie Island State High School is a co-educational secondary school located on an island with a population of 16,000, situated 100 kilometres north of Brisbane. The school opened in 1989 with 300 students and now boasts a population of more than 1000 students and 100 employees.
The school has a vision to be a leader in secondary education through the provision of the best value education for island families, responsive to their needs and aspirations. It maintains a close working relationship with the two Primary Schools on the island and has developed a number of secondary transition programs.
Subjects/Electives Years 7 to 10: The curriculum is organised around the eight Key Learning Areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Study of Society and Environment, Health, Languages other than English (Indonesian), Arts, and Technology. Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 are required to complete a program of study encompassing all Key Learning Areas. After this time students are able to focus on a specialist “Academy Program” that best suits their needs. Options are available in the following areas: Comprehensive, Focus, Performing Arts, Sport, and Academic Excellence.
Subjects/Electives Years 11 and 12: The study of English and Mathematics is compulsory for all students. Students in Years 11 and 12 study six subjects (either Authority or Authority-registered). Students can also gain credit towards or complete Vocational, Education and Training (VET) qualifications to provide an alternative pathway to university.
Sport: Students have the opportunity to participate in a range of sports including Netball, Touch, Cheerleading, Triathlon and school carnivals.
Extracurricular activities: Public speaking and debating including QDU (Queensland Debating Union), Lions Youth of the Year and Rostrum, school productions, art exhibitions, cultural events.
Welfare and personal development: Counselling and support services staff help students with school transition, education and career planning including career education lessons, subject selection and subject changes, school-based traineeships, apprenticeships and work experience, personal counselling, grief counselling, anger management and conflict resolution skills, mediation and problem solving skills, accessing community services, counselling services for parents/caregivers and staff, support programs for students in care, health-related issues, learning support and other support services.
Special features: Overseas excursions are offered to students each year. The Cambodia Project is a humanitarian project centred on raising funds and working at an orphanage. The school offers a trip to Indonesia, Ski fields and New Zealand on a yearly rotational basis.
The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) allows students to access one-to-one assistance from local retirees who volunteer their time to help with numeracy and literacy skills.