South Australian school students return to class today for the start of the final term of 2021, which will see some major milestones in public education including the delivery of new schools and the last ever group of year 7s graduating from primary school.
Building completion dates for Aldinga Payinthi College, Riverbanks College B-12 and Whyalla Secondary College are all coming up in term 4, well ahead of the first intake of students in 2022.
Construction of Goolwa Secondary College is expected to be complete by Christmas.
Minister for Education John Gardner said the completion of the new schools delivers on the Marshall Liberal Government's commitment to providing world-class school infrastructure for families in Aldinga, Angle Vale, Goolwa and Whyalla.
"Local families are rightly excited about the delivery of the schools which will provide outstanding learning environments for generations to come.
"I'm looking forward to seeing these spaces comes to life with the first intake of students who I'm sure will be thrilled to learn in the state-of-the-art facilities."
Term 4 will mark the end of primary school for a double cohort of public school students, with year 6s and 7s both graduating this year.
Minister Gardner said the final term of primary schooling is a special time and graduation marks a major rite of passage for young people as they move toward their high school years.
"This year we have twice the reason to celebrate as our year 6s and 7s reach the end of their primary schooling ahead of the move into high school.
"Our high schools are hosting transition visits this term to help the students get acquainted with the new environment. Primary schools are putting the final touches on their graduation plans to ensure both year 6s and 7s get a fitting send off and the necessary recognition of this important milestone in their lives."
Minister Gardner also wished year 12 students preparing for their SACE exams this term the best of luck.
"It is a big time of year for our senior students and I want to wish them all the best of luck as they approach their final exams.
"It's important to make the most of the revision period but remember to take some time out in-between hitting the books to relax and reset."
Minister Gardner also thanked teachers, educators and education staff for their hard work over the year so far.
"As we look forward to the term ahead of us, I want to thank staff for their dedication during these unprecedented times," said Minister Gardner.
"Over the course of the pandemic we have only lost a handful of schooling days to COVID-19 which is an incredible result.
"The lockdown in term 3 created some tricky circumstances but our education staff, students and their families took the switch to remote learning in their stride.
"I'm confident term 4 is going to be tremendous as everyone continues to work hard and set our children and young people on great pathways to success."
