Beenleigh State High School 2020 Ready

The Premier has joined with Education Minister Grace Grace and the Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon to officially open Beenleigh State High School’s new $7.6 million multi-storey learning centre.

Visiting the school as part of the annual Paddock to Plate event hosted by master chef Matt Golinski the Premier said it was a very exciting day for the Beenleigh State High School community.

“My government is committed to giving every Queensland child a great start by providing them with a world-class education, and this impressive new building further demonstrates that,” the Premier said.

“This brand new $7.6 million learning centre called Bookinburra, is the Yugambeh word for Mount Stapylton and has 10 classrooms, two flexible learning spaces and a collaborative space to cater for increased enrolments and will ensure the school is 2020 Ready.

“Beenleigh State High School is one of five schools in the Logan area to receive 2020 Ready project funding to accommodate the first full complement of secondary students in Years 7 to 12 from 2020.

“The project also delivered a new staff room and office, kitchenette, amenities, storage rooms and a landscaped courtyard, to enhance the school’s outstanding agricultural and hospitality programs.

“These facilities include chicken sheds, cold rooms and produce freezers used in Paddock to Plate, which features the production, preparation, performance and presentation of an annual luncheon involving produce and products sourced from the school agricultural and horticultural programs and local companies.”

Mrs McMahon said Bookinburra was a wonderful new addition and congratulated the school for the high standard of Paddock to Plate which involved students preparing and serving innovative and challenging menu options for guests.

The event also featured impressive performances by school bands and dance students.

“It’s great that our students are gaining real-world skills through high-standard events, and working with industry professionals and exceptional facilities,” Mrs McMahon said.

Beenleigh State High School Principal Matt O’Hanlon said the school was proud of its new state-of-the-art facilities.

“We now have commercial standard facilities for storing our produce, as well as great new spaces for our senior students to take their external examinations.

“And the new classrooms give us plenty of space to accommodate our continued growth in enrolments,” Mr O’Hanlon said.

Minister Grace said the Palaszczuk Government’s 2020 Ready initiative is delivering the buildings and extensions we need to manage the increased student population in our high schools that resulted from the introduction of Prep in 2007, and Beenleigh State High School is benefiting from this great initiative.

“With the original half-cohort of Prep students set to graduate from high school at the end of 2019, we will have — for the very first time — six full year levels of students in Queensland secondary schools from 2020,” she said.

Ms Grace said the Palaszczuk Government had a proven track record of delivering for Queensland schools.

“In 2019–20, we are delivering an overall state school infrastructure investment program across the state valued at more than $1.46 billion,” she said.

“This investment is also helping to drive the Queensland economy by supporting an estimated 4831 full-time jobs through the delivery of important infrastructure projects right across the state.

“Construction of the Beenleigh State High School project supported up to an estimated 23 full-time jobs, including nine apprentices.”

ENDS 

Media contacts:

Premier’s Office – Zoe Russell 0439 982 347 / Minister Grace’s Office – Scott Chandler 0439 578 472