It will be a year of firsts - and lasts - for more than 800,000 students in Queensland in 2019.
Firsts for the 66,000 preppies about to take their initial steps into the education system, and for the schoolgirls who can now wear shorts or pants thanks to an overhaul of state uniform policy
There will also be firsts for thousands of Year 11 students who will be the first to study new subjects, sit external exams in Year 12 and graduate with an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).
The Year 12s also make history as Queensland's first ever prep class in 2007 to graduate as the last group to sit the Queensland Core Skills Test and the last to receive an OP.
Education Minister Grace Grace said more than 560,000 students would attend 1241 state schools and 270,000 students in 515 non-state schools.
State schools will welcome 47,000 youngsters into prep, with numbers on-par with previous years.
Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) Executive Director David Robertson said among the students enrolling at the state's 240 independent schools in 2019 were about 7400 new Prep students, and more than 12,000 Year 7s entering high schools.
"2019 is a milestone year for Queensland schooling with historic changes to the state's senior assessment and tertiary entrance systems commencing," Mr Robertson said.
Principals, teachers and other school staff have been hard at work preparing their education programs and classrooms ahead of the first school bell, while parents have been busy finalising stationery, uniforms and family schedules.
Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network Executive Officer Sue Kloeden said establishing positive routines early was important for students and parents.
"I encourage parents to talk with their schools about how best to help their children settle in, particularly prep students and those who are new to a school," Ms Kloeden said.
The majority of Queensland schools will start the new school year on Tuesday.
