Inala schools to get $69 million makeover

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford today announced a multi-million dollar makeover for six state schools in the Inala-Durack area.

The six will be renewed with facilities of a similar standard to new schools through a $69.5 million State Schools of Tomorrow project.

“Through this exciting community-driven State Government program, the Inala area is set to receive the biggest boost to education in its history,” Mr Welford said.

“For students to compete in a global workforce, they need schools that provide 21^st century teaching and learning environments.

“At Inala we are going to construct new buildings or re-model existing ones, providing larger more flexible classrooms and learning areas that take advantage of modern teaching methods.

“These renewed schools will engage Inala’s young people in a way not previously possible, supporting new curriculum opportunities in areas such as science, technology, engineering and maths.

“New high-quality facilities going into the schools will also include modern information technology and attractive undercover play and assembly areas.”

Mr Welford said the $69.5 million would be spent on renewing Glenala State High and four primary schools – Durack, Inala, Richlands East and Serviceton South State Schools. The Western Suburbs Special School will also receive a makeover. The nearby Inala West and Richlands State Schools will be closed at the end of the 2009 and 2010 school years respectively.

He said the two schools to be closed were very close to schools being renewed, which would have ample space to accommodate students in far superior facilities, designed to give them better educational opportunities.

“With this project we asked the community what schools Inala needs into the future and where they should be located,” Mr Welford said.

“People made it clear to us they wanted facilities that engage children in learning and foster their social skills.

“Schools and local people also placed importance on improving school-based vocational training facilities and providing a centre for the performing arts.”

Mr Welford said that, along with the upgrades to infrastructure, classrooms and school facilities, makeovers would provide for:

• “learning for life centres” at primary schools to foster life skills and learning, through facilities such as a kitchen and laundry, and used for both teaching and for activities including breakfast clubs

• a literacy centre for primary school students, based at Durack State School but shared by all and linked with the Inala Family Literacy Project

• transforming Glenala State High School hall into a modern multi-purpose performance centre, about double the current size, available to all cluster schools as well as the community

• renewed industrial technology and design facilities to enhance vocational education and training opportunities for students at Glenala State High

• a work skills centre for Western Suburbs Special School, containing a production line, metal and woodwork area, nursery, design centre with computer aided design, and areas for papermaking and craft, car washing and detailing.

Mr Welford said another new facility to be provided at Glenala State High School was a fitness centre in its sports hall, which would have a performance measurement unit.

“This unit was seen as a way of engaging students not only in sport but through exploring maths, science and other subjects,” he said.

Member for Inala, Annastacia Palaszczuk, welcomed the Government’s funding commitment, saying she was particularly pleased that the renewal will allow schools to be used more by the wider community.

“The way of the future is for schools to become genuine community resources and this will be the case with Inala,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“An important feature of State Schools of Tomorrow was that renewed schools would be able to support new adult learning opportunities outside of school hours or become venues for school and community programs and events.

“The enlarged hall and other facilities like school meeting rooms will be made available to local community organisations.

“It’s all part of our Government’s plan for our schools to establish stronger links with community services such as childcare, child health, training, TAFE and tertiary providers, and to co-locate these services at schools where possible.”

Mr Welford said all funds anticipated from the sale of Inala West and Richlands State Schools have been included in the project budget.

He said the Richlands Italian community had been assured by his Department that a monument to the community’s local heritage in the grounds of Richlands State School would be relocated to an appropriate site in the area.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000