Published Thursday, 21 August, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
High-tech school officially opened at Coomera Springs
A new $12 million school officially opened today at Coomera Springs in the fast-growing Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor will offer a high-tech environment for students and will be an important hub for the local community.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the school exemplified the State Government’s Smart Classroom Strategy.
“It’s modern, technologically advanced and innovative,” Mr Welford said.
“It has 16 technologically-rich classrooms with interactive whiteboards, data projectors, laptops for students and teachers, internet cabling and wireless access to support innovative and engaging teaching and learning now and into the future.
“Such environments encourage one-to-one learning and prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century—however the focus will remain on basics such as literacy and numeracy and high expectations regarding behaviour.
“Learning areas will be flexible to cater for specialised curriculum areas such as science, media studies, physical development and the arts.
“The school’s 211 students will also benefit from the new oval, courtyard and covered play areas, particularly in this Year of Physical Activity in Queensland state schools.”
Mr Welford said the school’s design took account of the environment with smart lighting and energy systems incorporated to minimise power use and a water harvesting system to recycle water.
“This Stage 1A of the new school received State Government funding of $7.25 million and Federal Government funding of $4.75 million,” Mr Welford said. “Stage 1B of the school is currently under construction to cater for future enrolment growth.”
Member for Albert and Minister for Child Safety and Women, Margaret Keech, said the new primary school reflected the Bligh Government’s commitment to students enjoying modern, safe environments to support their learning.
“Three new schools, two primary schools and a high school, will open in 2009 in the northern Gold Coast region to cater for continuing growth in our booming region,” Mrs Keech said.
“The Gold Coast is the fastest-growing area of the State with some 47,000 students enrolled in state schools this year. In the 10-year period to 2008, state school enrolments on the Gold Coast have increased by almost 33 percent.
“Our Government aims to ensure our school building projects keep pace with this growth and students have the best possible facilities to support their education.”