The Pacific Pines State High School community has celebrated the opening of a new $8 million Visible Learning Centre, part of the Palaszczuk Government's huge investment on the Gold Coast.
Education Minister Grace Grace and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon today opened the state-of-the-art facility, delivered under the 2020 Ready Program.
Ms Grace said students were excited to kick off the 2020 school year with a brand new building.
"The 'Visible Learning Centre' not only looks impressive but it has the modern resources and equipment local students need for a world-class education," Ms Grace said.
"It can also accommodate up to 400 students.
"This two-storey complex includes 12 classrooms, three design studios, two project rooms, two outdoor learning areas and associated support spaces, for the growing student community.
"It also has flexible breakout spaces and multifunctional work areas, for the benefit of both students and teachers.
"The centre is part of the Palaszczuk Government's $430 million investment under our 2020 Ready Program to build new classrooms and facilities, just like this Visible Learning Centre, right across Queensland."
Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said it was great to see the new building come to fruition.
"I'm so proud to see one of my local schools benefitting from this $8 million investment which means so much to the students, staff, P&C and parents," she said.
"This new facility will complement the range of Excellence programs offered at the school such as creative industries, engineering and design, writing and maths.
"This building was constructed by McNab NQ and supported 24 full-time jobs and six apprentices which is fantastic."
Ms Grace said the construction of the Pacific Pines building was touching the surface when it came to infrastructure on the Gold Coast.
"This Government is no stranger when it comes to investing in Gold Coast state school projects, with half a billion dollars invested since 2015," she said.
"This morning I turned the sod on a new $59.6 million primary school at Pimpama, opening to the first Prep-year 6 students in term 1, 2020.
"Just two weeks ago we opened the $64 million Foxwell State Secondary College in Coomera to the first year 7 students."
Pacific Pines State High School Principal Mark Peggrem said the school community was chuffed with the new building.
"This significant investment into the school's long-term future supports our commitment to providing first-class facilities to our diverse and growing student body," he said.
"This modern and flexible educational facility is custom built to reflect our school's visible learning framework and I am confident it will provide enhanced learning opportunities and experiences for both our students and staff."
Gold Coast state school infrastructure projects recently completed:
- Pacific Pines State High School - learning centre: $8.05 million
- New Foxwell State Secondary College – $64 million
- Southport State High School – learning centre: $12 million
- Palm Beach – Currumbin State High School – learning centre: $12.1 million
- Pacific Pines State School- library upgrade: $990,000
- Southport Special School - additional classroom space in undercroft area: $2.8 million
- Ormeau State School – learning centre: $6.05 million
- Pimpama State School - learning centre: $7.6 million
- Broadbeach State School - learning centre: $8.8 million
- Biggera Waters State School – classroom refurbishment: $660,000
- William Duncan State School – outdoor learning area: $500,000
- Worongary State School – refurbish teaching block: $935,000
Projects completed in 2018/2019:
- Picnic Creek State School (primary) - $38 million
- Ormeau Woods State High School - learning centre: $8.2 million
- Pimpama State Secondary College – performing arts centre, two new learning centres: $25 million
- Varsity College – refurbishment to senior and digital learning centres: $3.1 million
- Southport Special School – learning centre: $8.8 million
- Caningeraba State School – learning centre: $6.7 million
- Palm Beach Currumbin State High School - refurbishment work to E Block: $1.1 million
- Pimpama State Primary College – learning centre: $6.4 million
- Pimpama State School – multi-purpose hall: $7.04 million
- Helensvale State High School – learning centre: $13.9 million
- Pacific Pines State School- special education block refurbishment: $740,000
Projects underway:
- New primary school at Pimpama - $59.6 million
- Benowa State High School – replace covered walkways: $1.6 million
- Coomera State School – refurbish amenities: $440,000
