$10 million for Kepnock SHS to create new technology centre

Kepnock High School students were able to rub shoulders with Education Minister Grace Grace as the State Government continued its charm offensive in Bundaberg, announcing a $10 million spend at the school.

State Education Minister Grace Grace announced at Kepnock State High School on Wednesday a $9.4 million spend on the school’s Industrial Design and Technology centre, and $440,000 in other renovations.

Ms Grace said at the announcement “it’s about time we invested in this area”.

“The Industrial Technology and Design Centre will be state-of-the-art, and it will hopefully be stage one of a larger project where we will see students taking part in ITD in what will be some of the world class skills that they will be gathering here at the school.

Minister Grace Grace (centre) discusses with Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith (left) and Kepnock SHS principal Nicolas Howkins (right) the new ITD centre.

Kepnock High principal Nicholas Howkins said it was a great opportunity for the school.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said a focus of the facility would be drone technology and 3D printing such as those already seen on local farms.

“With this new state-of-the-art facility we know that ITD is the way of the future for our Kepnock students.

“We know how important it is that our agriculture and horticulture manufacturing industries are supported by local home grown workers, and that’s exactly what this new facility will provide,” he said.

Kepnock student Sarah Ryan said the new facility would benefit future students.

“Sometimes in rural schooling you can feel like you’re missing out on opportunities, but I think with this kind of building it’s going to stop that,” she said.

Education Minister Grace Grace discusses with students how new construction at Kepnock SHS will look.

Kepnock High has 600 students enrolled in ITD subjects and Mr Howkins said the school was working with the government to define what the ITD centre would look like for students, with construction to be finished within the next two years.

“The new space will have a mix of senior spaces and junior workshops, as well as design spaces for the high tech facilities that we will have in the new curriculum,” Mr Howkins said.

A new Share the Dignity vending machine was also installed at the school to give students free and easy access to period materials.

Students could all see the great benefits of the vending machine though one expressed concern at the lack of organic products and how this might impact students with allergies.

“This is the best way, the most hygienic way to make these products available,” Ms Grace said.

The State Government funds the charity behind the vending machines, and aims to get them into any school interested in receiving one.

Other projects for Bundaberg schools include a new security fence and refurbishments at Bundaberg Central State School, upgrades to learning spaces at Bundaberg South State School and a refurbishment of the resource centre at Bundaberg Central SS.