Two youth engagement programs and a $12 million infrastructure program are in full swing at Bundaberg State High School, making a huge difference to the lives of local students.
Education Minister Grace Grace visited the school today, touring the recently completed sports centre refurbishment and inspecting the site of the new three-storey learning centre.
Minister Grace said the projects, built under the Palaszczuk Government’s $235 million Renewing Our Schools program, supported 36 local jobs.
“We know times are tough right across the world right now,” Ms Grace said.
“Queensland’s journey toward economic recovery from COVID-19 begins with job creation.
“And keeping tradies in jobs at work sites like these has been vital throughout this time.
“The extension and refurbishment of the Sports Centre includes new amenities, banks of lockers, tiered seating, resurfacing of the court, and improved ventilation and air flow.
“The refurbishment of Block Q and a covered walkway to Block W was completed for the start of school this year and is already being enjoyed by students.
“The pipeline of work here will continue with construction due to start this month on an amazing new classroom block, which will include a new library, three general classrooms and three research and discovery spaces.
“Integral Construction has been awarded the contract to build this centre which will be ready in April 2021.
“I’m sure these projects will make a big difference to the Bundaberg State High School community.
“They are certainly making a difference to Queensland’s economy.”
Ms Grace also met students involved in the highly successful Link and Launch Program as well as IGNITE, both initiatives supporting disengaged students.
“I am impressed with the amount of work that Bundaberg State High is putting in to make sure that every student is given the opportunity to succeed,” she said.
“Link and Launch is an $8 million program that was piloted across four Queensland high schools in 2019, including Bundaberg.
“It supports school leavers who are not in education, employment or training to find a post-school pathway.
“Specialist officers are at hand to link young people with opportunities that line up with their goals, interests and strengths.
“Here at Bundaberg State High, the program has already supported 99 young people, with 61 assisted to successful transition to work, training or further study.
“That is a fantastic result for these young people and a credit to their determination to succeed.”
Ms Grace said Bundaberg State High also ran the IGNITE program which had been operating since 2018, supporting students in grades 3-12 who are at risk of disengaging with mainstream school.
“There’s 37 students currently in the program, with five from Kepnock State High and three from Bundaberg North State High,” she said.
“Since the start of this term, the program has been based at the dormant Givelda State School site, which has temporarily closed.
“Already we’ve seen impressive results, with more than 120 students in the local area supported.”
Bundaberg State High School Principal Karen McCord said Givelda’s classrooms had been repurposed to cater for the students in the program.
“The intended outcome for students of IGNITE is a renewed purpose for learning, through delivery of courses that strategically target literacy and numeracy as well as vocational certificates up to Certificate 2 level,” Mrs McCord said.
“We are confident that moving to Givelda State School will further enhance this program, particularly having access to the various other community initiatives in the area.”
