Two Gold Coast schools benefit from new facilities

Education Minister Grace Grace has congratulated Southport Special School and Pacific Pines State High School on the official opening of new and refurbished centres.

Ms Grace today inspected the new $10.37 million two-storey Learning Centre at Southport and the refurbished Resource Centre at Pacific Pines.

Minister Grace said Southport’s Learning Centre was an exciting development for the growing school.

“The state-of-the-art building has created a warm and welcoming environment which is not only perfect for student learning, but great for teaching staff too,” Ms Grace said.

“The building includes 18 classrooms, a home economics kitchen, a computer lab, a music and drama room, a sensory room, new amenities, a staff room plus staff offices and meeting spaces.

“It features noise reduction built into the hallways and lifts big enough to fit an entire class, including students in wheelchairs, which is a great asset.”

Southport Special School Principal Susan Christensen said the school community was enjoying the benefits of the additional space.

“Our students and staff are all very excited about this state-of-the-art facility that includes a wonderful covered sport and play area,” Ms Christensen said.

“This new block is an essential development, now that our school has grown into one of the largest special schools in Queensland.

“The building has many specialist areas including a sensory room plus a music room which provides our school with greater capacity than ever before.”

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon also inspected the upgraded Resource Centre at Pacific Pines with Minister Grace. 

“This is a fantastic centre, with the $880,000 refurbishment including floor finishes, wall linings, acoustic treatment, lights and fans, the reconfiguration of existing power and data, and a new resource centre coordinator station,” Ms Scanlon said.

“The facility will allow students to work together in different size groups, while the revamped auditorium will enable university-style lectures to take place.”

Ms Grace said the Palaszczuk Government is committed to investing in Queensland schools.

“It’s vital that all of our Queensland state schools are provided with quality infrastructure and resources, so students have the opportunity to excel,” Ms Grace said.

“I’m proud to be a part of a Government that is delivering on this.”

Media contact: Laura McKee – 0451 997 920