QLD High Schools Under Fire For Accidentally Teaching Caesar Salad Recipe To Ancient History Students

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT

The number of QLD high schools impacted by year 12 history exam error has risen to nine today, as the State Government blames ‘communication issues’ over the 2025 curriculum mix-up

At least 140 students had been preparing for an exam on the history of the Caesar salad, instead of the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar.

This error has caused great stress for the families of Queensland students who have been working tirelessly to get the marks they need to compete with fee-paying international students for a placement at an Australian university next year.

With Queensland no longer adhering to the glorious ‘OP’ system that ranks students based on their ‘vibe’ – and is instead using the ATAR system like all of the other states – high school exams are now something that need to be taken seriously up north.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek has since ordered an investigation into the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), which sets the topics for year 12 exams – but said he does understand how the mistake was made – given that ‘the Caesar salad is named after Julius Caesar’.

Wrong again Queensland Education.

The Caesar Salad was invented in Tijuana, Mexico, by Italian immigrant Caesar Cardini at his family restaurant in 1924 as part of a ‘fridge scramble’ when supplies were low during a 4th of July dinner rush. As over 140 Queensland year 12 students would be able to tell you.

Several schools came forward about the confusion over the weekend, stating that they couldn’t understand why the QCAA thought it was in anyway relevant for their ancient history students to learn how to make a dressing out of coddled eggs, olive oil, and lemon juice.

Mr Langbroek said the exam results of those impacted would be scaled with those internal assessments – like they do for the thousands of kids each year who claim that their parents got divorced on the same week of exams.

I want to reassure students and their parents that this wasn’t for nothing” he said.

“Christmas is around the corner. You can put these youngsters to work with some romaine lettuce, garlic, parmesan cheese and little bits of bacon.

“Damn that actually sounds pretty good”