FAQs for School Principals
1. How do I enrol entire classes for languages through Cairns SDE?
To enrol entire classes for languages, complete the: School Based - Class Group Enrolment Form
2. How do I exit students from Cairns SDE?
To exit students, complete the: School Based Exit Form
3. What subjects are offered at Cairns SDE?
Cairns SDE offers subjects from years 7 to12 and Languages from years 5 to 12.
Languages:
Primary Course Overviews
Junior Subjects:
7-9 Course Overviews
Senior Subjects:
Yr 10 and Senior Subject Overviews
2026-2027 Year 11 Subject Selection Form
4. How will I receive invoices?
Invoices will be sent to the School Principal in the first instance. For State School Principals, invoices will be sent to your principal@ email address. Copies of these invoices can be resent to the base school upon request.
FAQs for School based Supervisors and students
1. How long will it take for the teacher to reach out to the school based supervisor regarding timetable and access to lessons?
Teachers should be contacting School-based supervisors and students within 48 hours after students are enrolled into the teacher's class list. Timing of non-Government schools' enrolments can take up to seven days.
2. Where can I find more information about School based enrolments?
All School based information can be found on our website: School Based Enrolments Information
3. Are live online lessons offered? If so, do students need to join them at the scheduled time, or can they watch the recordings later?
Cairns SDE offers recorded and live online lessons. While it's preferred that students attend the live sessions, many school-based students watch the recordings and complete the related activities at times that fit with their base school's schedule.
4. Are there recorded lessons, presentation slides, or other learning materials available online for students to access?
Yes. All live lessons are recorded and are usually available about 30 minutes after the class ends. The Cairns SDE QLearn site also provides all the learning materials students need to successfully complete the required assessment tasks for each topic. This includes videos, presentation slides, and notes.
5. Is there online theory/textbook available to be accessed, or does a physical textbook need to be purchased?
This is a subject specific question.
For Languages, at this point in time, no textbooks are required. For other subjects please contact the relevant HoD.
A price list where base schools can view specific subject costs is located here: Cairns SDE School based Text books and fees
6. Who do I contact if I have concerns about work submissions and assessment?
In the first instance, please contact the teacher of the class. You may also contact the Curriculum HoD or the HoD of School Based Students. Contact details can be found on the “Our Staff" page.
7. What minimum subject requirements are there for year 12 for achieving ATAR score.
ATAR management is completed at the base-school.
8. What happens if my teacher is away?
For Languages – if a teacher is away, teachers are responsible for organising teacher replacement so that schools can continue their language learning. The teacher absent will notify the school based supervisor the morning of the absentee.
For other subjects – teachers usually advise on Announcements in QLearn and/or via email to students. They are usually advised to attend another class for that day.
9. Do I need to attend every timetabled lesson live?
This is a school-based decision. The emphasis is on having a supervising teacher attending whole school classes – especially for Languages.
10. How does my Cairns SDE teacher know if I am away sick?
When the information is provided to our HR – it will be distributed to the teachers and HoD concerned.
FAQs for Parents of School based students
1. How will I receive my student's semester reports?
School based students studying with Cairns SDE will have their Semester Reports emailed to parents directly.
If we do not have the student's parent's email address, the report will be sent to the school-based supervisor.
Teachers will also send to the school based supervisor the generated class results for subjects undertaken, so that they are aware of the progress of their students.
2. Will I receive a bill from Cairns SDE?
No, fees are issued to the student's base school, not the parent.
3. Can I enrol EQI international students in language subjects at Cairns SDE?
Yes. More information is available here: EQI International Students