NewsBite

New students start at Queensland’s first vertical school

More than 100 eager year seven students started their first day of high school at the first inner-city state school to be built in more than fifty years. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE.

Timelapse of Fortitude Valley State Secondary College construction

MORE than 100 eager year seven students started their first day of high school today at the first inner-city state school to be built in more than fifty years.

Queensland’s first vertical school, the Fortitude Valley State Secondary College, will eventually house about 1500 students by 2025 with the first 140 foundation students starting school today.

With stage one of the school’s development complete, the new students will be taught in the modern learning centre, while stage two comprising a seven-storey vertical junior learning centre on St Pauls Terrace is set to open by mid-2020.

The first day at new inner city high school. Photo: Attila Csaszar/AAP
The first day at new inner city high school. Photo: Attila Csaszar/AAP

Students have access to the learning centre, performing arts auditorium, administration building and two green spaces, with the St Pauls Terrace Precinct which will include the junior learning building, lawn and sport facilities to open later this year.

Stage three of construction is set to be completed by the start of school in 2023.

The school, supported by the Queensland University of Technology excellence in teaching program, has supported 300 jobs and 53 apprentices.

Education Minister Grace Grace said a lot of work had gone into developing the school from scratch.

“I’d like to commend Principal Sharon Barker on creating a school that students will be excited about learning in every day,” she said.

The outside area at the new school. (AAP Image/Attila Csaszar)
The outside area at the new school. (AAP Image/Attila Csaszar)

“The school has a team of 30 staff including six teachers and five teacher aides who are keen to get started in the classroom.”

School principal Sharon Barker said everything had been about the moment foundation students walked through the doors today.

Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk, Principal Sharon Barker and Minister for Education of Queensland Grace Grace at the school. (AAP Image/Attila Csaszar)
Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk, Principal Sharon Barker and Minister for Education of Queensland Grace Grace at the school. (AAP Image/Attila Csaszar)
Inside the new school. (AAP Image/Attila Csaszar)
Inside the new school. (AAP Image/Attila Csaszar)

“The staff and I are incredibly excited about what our first year will bring, as well as how we can continue to build and grow our school community for the future.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was a momentous day for education in Queensland, with more than $450 million injected into eight new state schools.

Inside one of the learning areas at the new school. (AAP Image/Attila Csaszar
Inside one of the learning areas at the new school. (AAP Image/Attila Csaszar

CATCH UP ON MORE SCHOOLS HUB:

NAPLAN 2019: RESULTS FOR EVERY SCHOOL

TEACHER V STUDENT RATIOS: HOW YOUR SCHOOL COMPARES

QUEENSLAND’S FASTEST GROWING SCHOOLS REVEALED

WHAT EVERY QLD SCHOOL GETS IN FUNDING

INCOME: QLD’S CASHED-UP AND CASH-STRAPPED SCHOOLS

CAPITAL WORKS: HOW MUCH YOUR SCHOOL IS SPENDING

FEES/CHARGES: HOW MUCH PARENTS ARE FORKING OUT

The first day at Fortitude Valley State Secondary College. (AAP Image/Attila Csaszar)
The first day at Fortitude Valley State Secondary College. (AAP Image/Attila Csaszar)

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/education/new-students-start-at-queenslands-first-vertical-school/news-story/390569fe8be29a9e53c7e7f4aa737623