New high school and education era for Ipswich

A new state high schooI is to be built in Ipswich as part of a $134.1 million transformation of the area’s education announced by Education and Training Minister Rod Welford.

Mr Welford said the new state-of-the-art secondary school, which will replace Bremer State High School on a new site and have close links to the University of Queensland Ipswich Campus, was the centrepiece of the Government’s plans for the area.

“Eastern Ipswich is one of the first areas to benefit from the $850 million State Schools of Tomorrow initiative, which is enabling Queensland communities to help plan the future of education at a local level,” Mr Welford said.

“The Premier has said from day one of her leadership that she will build and re-build our infrastructure and that’s why we are making this major investment in this important region.

“As well as building a new secondary school, we are renewing four established local state schools to the standards of our newest schools.”

Mr Welford said Bundamba State Secondary College and three primary schools – Riverview, Bundamba and Silkstone State Schools – would be renewed under the $134.1 million initiative. The nearby Blackstone and Dinmore State Schools will be closed at the end of the 2009 school year.

He said the new Bremer State High School was planned to open for 2010 school year. A number of potential sites were currently being investigated.

“With this project we asked the community what they thought schools should look like and what facilities they should have, as well as which schools were most sustainable,” Mr Welford said.

“While we recognise the good work being done by the two schools to be closed, we must look to the future to ensure we can deliver to students the best possible services.

“The three primary schools being renewed are close to Dinmore and Blackstone schools and will be easily able to accommodate their students in far superior facilities, offering our young people better educational opportunities.

“The community has been extremely enthusiastic about the facilities that will create modern teaching and learning environments at renewed schools.

“These schools will be transformed with new or remodelled buildings and attractive undercover play and assembly areas that will encourage performing arts among students.

“Inside will be bigger classrooms and practical learning areas to take advantage of modern teaching methods and support new curriculum opportunities for students in such areas as science, technology, engineering and maths.”

Member for Ipswich, Rachel Nolan, welcomed the injection of funds into Eastern Ipswich schools.

“This is a major investment in the future of our local area,” Ms Nolan said.

“This $134.1 million investment is a great opportunity to give our children the best, modern educational facilities we can deliver.

“A new Bremer State High School, with world class facilities and close links to UQ – Ipswich, will dramatically improve the educational environment for local students.

“The Eastern Ipswich community pressed for facilities which support student engagement so “learning for life centres” which foster life skills and learning for primary school children will be included at each renewed primary school.

“They will be part of a multi-functional area with facilities such as a kitchen and laundry, and will be used both for teaching and activities such as breakfast clubs.

“Another facility we’re providing – to be shared among all cluster schools – is an inter-agency support centre.

“This will co-locate a range of support services at a single site providing more convenience for parents and students from the cluster schools.”

“The community also wanted a leadership development centre to be established that could be accessed by cluster schools.

“We plan to locate this at Bundamba State Secondary College and it will be based on the successful centre at Brisbane’s The Gap State High School.”

Mr Welford said State Schools of Tomorrow promoted community partnerships and he encouraged schools to become genuine community resources and to share facilities with the local community.

He said all renewed school facilities would be designed to meet the requirement for greater sustainability and efficiency in the use of land, water and resources.

Mr Welford said all funds anticipated from the sale of vacated school sites have been included in the project budget.

The State Government will also be assessing options for viable community use of the Blackstone State School site over the next few months.”

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985