QUT Education

We’re proud to continue our sponsorship of the Queensland Premier’s Reading Challenge, and to celebrate the teachers who inspire a love of reading every day.

As QUT alumna, author and illustrator, Sophie Beer shares:

“Teachers are the reason I have my career in books... having teachers who loved books made me love books in turn. Holding a book means holding a whole other worldview in your hands… helping foster empathy. Having teachers who appreciated that immense power shaped my life forever.”

“I made my first book when I was seven (it was about an evil feather…!). …Without the immense love of books that my teachers imparted upon me, I don't think I would have had the confidence to dream so brightly.”

To all teachers, good luck with this year’s Premiers Reading Challenge, and thank you for inspiring the next chapter.

QUT's School of Education is set to deliver the Queensland Educational Leadership Program (QELP), a Queensland-first initiative funded by the Queensland Department of Education and delivered in partnership with the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA).

Over the next five years, QELP will support up to 500 educational leaders from community kindergartens and long day care services across rural, regional and metropolitan Queensland. The accredited microcredential is designed to strengthen leadership capability, drive quality practice and support leaders to navigate change across early childhood education and care settings.

Professor Terri Bourke, Dean and Head of QUT School of Education, said the program reflects the strength of the partnership between QUT, the Queensland Government and ELACCA, and a shared focus on supporting the early childhood workforce.

Alongside QELP, QUT continues to support the Education sector through a range of continuing professional education opportunities, including Inclusive Education Essentials, Trauma-aware Education, short courses, masterclasses and microcredentials.

Read the full article here: https://www.qut.edu.au/news?id=205470

Photo: The QELP team from left to right, Associate Professor Megan Gibson, Miss Sarah Nilsen, Dr Marie White and Dr Jessamine Giese.

Today on Australian Primary Principals Day, we celebrate the exceptional leaders at the heart of every school community.

Primary school principals do far more than lead schools. They support students, mentor staff, connect communities, navigate challenges and advocate for every child's success.

A special shout-out to our principal alumni and current students who continue to invest in their leadership journey through professional development and post graduate study. Your dedication is making a lasting impact in schools and communities across Australia.

💙 Take a moment today to thank and support your local primary school principal.

QUT Centre for Justice was the presenting partner for the Australian Council for Student Voice’s 2026 Student Voice Conference (SVC), welcoming students, teachers, school leaders and researchers to our Kelvin Grove campus.

Exploring ‘Power, Partnership, and Possibility’, the conference sparked important conversations about how student voice shapes educational decision-making and how genuine partnership can transform educational practice.

QUT School of Education researchers Professor Jenna Gillett-Swan, who delivered the keynote, and Associate Professor Naomi Barnes, who led a workshop showcasing innovative pedagogies that will underpin QUT’s new Bachelor of Arts (commencing 2027), contributed to the event. Their leadership and expertise enriched the program, strengthened CIESJ’s contribution to public discourse, and reinforced our commitment to social justice in education.

We welcomed the opportunity to host SVC 2026 and to support such meaningful engagement across the education community.

Delivering targeted professional learning to build teacher capability, helping support students living with a disability and diverse learning needs, is central to strengthening outcomes across Queensland classrooms. The Queensland Government's recent ‘Ministerial Media Statement’ outlines a new plan to expand access to high quality, practice focused professional development for teachers. Read the statement here -https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/105199

At CIESJ, we’re focused on expanding our Continuing Professional Education (CPE) and postgraduate offerings so educators can move seamlessly into advanced study and grow their careers at every stage. Our programs are informed by industry and community needs, ensuring teachers can access learning that stays relevant to their profession.

Partnering with the Queensland Department of Education, QUT is proud to deliver the 'Microcredential in Inclusive Education Essentials', supporting teachers to build confidence and capability in inclusive practice.

Professor Terri Bourke, Dean and Head of QUT’s School of Education, reflects this commitment:
“We are proud to support Continuous Professional Education by developing short courses for the growth of teachers and educators.”

Charlotte Johnson, Senior Manager, Continuing Professional Education, highlights the accessibility of our programs:
“Our offerings are flexible, self paced, with theoretical knowledge immediately translatable and applicable to classrooms”.

With July intakes now open, QUT continues to support teachers to grow their expertise and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive, explore our offerings here:
Inclusive Education Essentials - https://tinyurl.com/448s8kw2
Trauma-Aware Education: The Evidence ad How to Respond - https://tinyurl.com/mr3y9sr6

The Jack & Merleen Sheedy Education Scholarship supports two mature aged students each year, one undergraduate and one postgraduate, throughout their Early Childhood education degree. Grounded in a belief in the value of lifelong learning, the scholarship creates pathways for those who may not otherwise be able to return to study, with a focus on individuals who have contributed through community or military service.

Over the past 5 years, the scholarship has enabled 10 graduates to pursue or enhance their career in the early childhood sector.

We’re proud to acknowledge one of this year’s recipient Davy Clarke and celebrate the achievements of 2024 recipient Danielle Carter who received a QUT STAR Award for attaining the highest achieving student in the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood).

A heartfelt thank you to the Jack & Merleen Sheedy Foundation for their generosity, empowering our students to reach their full potential and the enriching the future of Early Childhood education.

Images: Davy with QUT Early Childhood Lecturer, Sally Savage and Danielle Carter at the 2025 QUT STAR Awards.

Under Eights Week 2026 – Celebrating 70 Years in Queensland!

Observation is a key practice that informs responsive and intentional teaching. By carefully noticing, listening and reflecting, educators plan learning that builds on children’s strengths, interests and emerging skills.

This approach values children as active participants in their learning and supports deep engagement, wellbeing and inclusive practice — reflecting enduring principles of high quality early learning.



Image: QUT Digital Collections

Under Eights Week 2026 – Celebrating 70 Years in Queensland!

Music, dance and storytelling offer rich opportunities for expression, communication and connection. Through singing, movement and shared stories, children build language, coordination, emotional wellbeing and a sense of belonging, experiences that continue to support learning across generations.



Images: QUT Digital Collections

Under Eights Week 2026 – Celebrating 70 Years in Queensland!

Early science learning encourages children’s natural curiosity, supporting them to investigate, question and make meaning of the world around them.

Through exploration, experimentation and shared thinking with educators, children develop critical and creative thinking, resilience and a love of learning. While our approaches continue to evolve, fostering wonder and inquiry remains central to quality early childhood practice.



Image: QUT Digital Collections