Sunnybank State High School has trialed a new program that brings ex-students back into the classroom for ‘Year 13’, where teachers provide practical help with finding, preparing for, and securing work.
The program — funded from the school's own budget — started at Sunnybank when teachers realised nearly half their 2017 graduates hadn't found full-time work or study six months after leaving.
Over 95 per cent of 2018’s Year 13 graduates are now in full-time work or study, thanks to teachers like Robyn Pedler who are putting in the extra effort to help students prepare for the real world.
"It's our responsibility — our job doesn't just end at Year 12, or at 3:00pm" Ms Robyn Pedler said.