MAJOR RENEWAL FOR STATE SCHOOLS IN EASTERN IPSWICH

State schools in eastern Ipswich are set to benefit from a multi-million dollar redevelopment and modernisation project as part of the landmark $850 million State Schools of Tomorrow initiative.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said an investment of about $75 million would enable the local community to help plan for the future of state education, and transform schools into 21^st teaching and learning environments.

“One of the most important influences on children’s education is the quality of the schools in which they learn,” Mr Welford said.

“This initiative is about ensuring our state schools are equipped with exceptional facilities, resources and technologies that meet the long-term needs of the local community and increase the educational opportunities for young people.

“Many schools in the eastern Ipswich area were built more than 100 years ago when schooling was very different to the modern day educational needs and aspirations of local families.

“Local families will play a key role in planning the future of education in the area.

“We want the local community to consider what schools they need for the future, where they should be located, what they should look like, and what facilities they should have.”

Schools to be considered in a new educational vision include Bundamba, Silkstone, Riverview, Dinmore and Blackstone state schools, Bremer State High School and Bundamba Secondary College.

Member for Ipswich, Rachel Nolan, and Member for Bundamba, Jo-Ann Miller, both welcomed the announcement that schools in the eastern Ipswich area would be modernised and transformed.

“I am delighted by this unprecedented Government commitment to securing a sustainable future for our local state schools,” Ms Nolan said.

“This investment in our schools gives us a wonderful opportunity to tailor education to the long-term educational needs of our community.”

Mrs Miller said an independent community consultation process would begin in the coming weeks to develop a new, sustainable educational vision for primary and secondary schools in the area.

“Options for educational renewal could include the major redevelopment of secondary schools, the relocation or merger of schools to best serve the community’s long-tem needs, major modernisation to create large flexible classrooms with the latest technology, and high-quality facilities such auditoriums and performing arts complexes,” Mrs Miller said.

State Schools of Tomorrow is the major component of the $1 billion Tomorrow’s Schools package announced in the 2006-07 Budget and it is the largest one-off investment in education infrastructure in Queensland’s history.

For more information visit: www.education.qld.gov.au/tomorrows-schools

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000