Year 11 students in a Logan school will have the option of a four-day school week in 2025 to improve their career pathways.
San Damiano College Yarrabilba, 50km south of the Brisbane, is trialling the four-day schooling model to allow students to dedicate their Wednesdays to personalised senior education plans.
“It’s not a day off. It’s a tailored learning experience designed to help students achieve their individual goals,” San Damiano College Principal Peter Edwards said.
Mr Edwards said the College’s first cohort of Year 11 students would have the option to trial the four-day model in 2025.
“On Wednesdays, students will have the flexibility to pursue university courses, TAFE, apprenticeships, traineeships, work experience, or on-campus certifications such as automotive, business, and criminal justice studies.
“This innovative approach ensures students align their education with their future aspirations while gaining valuable, real-world experience.”
Mr Edwards said the Brisbane Catholic Education school was engaging in a number of non-traditional school options in 2025, including the Griffith University‘s HeadStart Program, where students could also undertake university-level studies while still in school, gaining the additional advantage of early entry into higher education.
He said the College was also partnering with UNIQ You, an initiative focused on mentoring female students into non-traditional career paths.
“Year 11 students will be paired with industry professionals in fields such as mining, engineering, and law enforcement, gaining valuable insights and guidance.”
Mr Edwards said this year, the College’s Year 9 students would also delve into philosophy, a subject designed to cultivate critical thinking, encourage intellectual curiosity, and foster the ability to question assumptions.
He said this initiative stemmed from the school’s Teaching for Thinking project, a collaboration with the University of Queensland’s Innovative Schools Project through Brisbane Catholic Education.
“By blending academic rigor with real-world experiences, the school is creating a model for modern education that priorities student agency and future readiness.”
