The Palaszczuk Government is investing almost $18 million to upgrade Gladstone State High School as part of the record breaking $16.5 billion education budget handed down by the Treasurer last week.
$14.3 million will fund a brand-new Design and Technology Precinct, while another $3.5 million will be invested to upgrade existing science classrooms.
Education Minister Grace Grace today visited the school with Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher.
"This budget is all about delivering good jobs, better services, and enhancing our wonderful Queensland lifestyle," Ms Grace said.
"Budgets are about values, and with our record-breaking investment we're showing just how much we value the education of our young Queenslanders.
"I know these upgrades at Gladstone State High are going to make a huge difference for the teachers and students.
"They're part of a $2 billion investment in education infrastructure this year alone, supporting 4,200 jobs across Queensland."
Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher, said the new Design and Technology precinct was a game changer for the school.
"I brought Minister Grace here last year to pitch for this, and I am so excited to see it in the budget," Mr Butcher said.
"The precinct will include nine spaces – four junior workshops; one senior engineering workshop; one senior construction workshop and three Robotics and Electronics studios for junior and senior students."
"This will assist the school to offer 21st century skills within the design and technology curriculum area, including certificate III aviation (drones), robotics and enhance the practical component of the hydrogen hub.
"It's going to give our students the skills they need for the jobs we have now, and for the jobs of the future."
Principal of Gladstone State High School Leanne Martin said the school welcomed the investment in its facilities.
"Students will benefit from modern and upgraded facilities which will support the school's focus on this important and popular part of the curriculum," Ms Martin said.
"It will also help us adapt to rapidly changing curriculum needs and provide our students with the renewed facilities they need to flourish in the modern learning and later on work environments."
Minister Grace said there were other new and ongoing investments across the Gladstone region.
"In this budget Nagoorin State School will receive $200,000 to start the planning, design, and consultation for a new hall," Ms Grace said.
"We are also continuing to fund projects that have already been announced, including $15.1 million for new classrooms at Calliope State High School, $14.2 million for a new performing arts centre at Toolooa State High School, and $6.3 million for a new hall at Gladstone Central State School."
State school students in the region will also benefit from other education budget announcements including:
- 675 extra teachers and nearly 200 extra teacher aides in 2022-23 as part of an ongoing commitment to employ more than 6,100 new teachers and 1,100 teacher aides
- $20 million for playground and tuckshop upgrades
- The $100 million, four-year Go for Gold Fund for new and upgraded sports infrastructure for schools across the state
- $80.6 million to support schools to transition to a new resourcing model for students with disability
- $15.5 million for respectful relationships education
- $13.3 million to expand the partnership with Queensland-based charity Share the Dignity, giving all state schools the opportunity to install a vending machine that provides free period products
- Additional funding as part of our kindergarten funding reform package worth more than $1 billion over the next five years
