Five new state schools set for first students

Five new south-east Queensland state schools are set to welcome their first students and teachers in 48 hours’ time.

Three Sunshine Coast schools - Baringa State Secondary College in Caloundra, and Palmview State and Palmview Special School as well as Gainsborough State School on the Gold Coast and Brisbane South State Secondary College are ready for Wednesday, the first day of the 2021 state school year.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her Government was investing in schools and education because it was an investment in Queensland’s future generation and jobs.

“Investing in building schools is also an investment in jobs and our economy as we unite and recover from the global pandemic,” the Premier said.

“We’re investing a record $1.9 billion on school infrastructure in 2020-21, supporting almost 4800 jobs.”

Education Minister Grace Grace and Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt today visited the $127.5 million Baringa State Secondary College ahead of the arrival of about 200 Year 7 and 8 students and their teachers on Wednesday morning.

Mr Hunt said building the three Sunshine Coast schools had supported nearly 800 jobs for local tradies.

“Baringa alone has supported more than 380 jobs, including five trainees and 76 apprentices,” Mr Hunt said.

“And now all three Sunshine Coast schools will provide world-class education services for families in one of the fastest-growing areas of Queensland.

“Our government continues to provide Queensland families access to world-class public education – no matter where they live.”

Education Minister Grace Grace said this year’s infrastructure spend also included work on three new schools for 2022 - a new special school in Coomera and primary schools in North MacLean and Caloundra South.

“Our ongoing investment continues to build on the $5.2 billion the Palaszczuk Government has put into school infrastructure since 2015,” she said.

Baringa foundation principal Matt Samson said he was delighted and proud to take the helm of the new school.

“The whole community has been eagerly awaiting the opening of Baringa SSC and are looking forward to making the most of the fabulous facilities on offer for students,” Mr Samson said.

“One of our school’s best features is a state-of-the-art lecture theatre which will allow us to have university-style lectures for students and is the perfect venue for guest speakers, further enhancing the quality educational experiences we can offer.”

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