Major developments changing the face of Wide Bay Burnett schools

Over the past twelve months schools across the Wide Bay Burnett have invested million in improving safety, accessibility and educational opportunities for students. See the major developments changing the face of Wide Bay Burnett schools.

In the past twelve months millions of dollars worth of investments have been committed to future-proofing schools across the Wide Bay Burnett, promising improved safety features and learning opportunities.

As the 2024 school year approaches take a closer look at these developments and what they mean for the future of regional education in South East Queensland.

With dozens of schools across the region, these developments seek to elevate both public and private schools from the crowd.

See the biggest developments which will change the face of Wide Bay Burnett schools here:

$6m vocational school for special needs students - Bundaberg

In July of 2023, the Bundaberg YMCA welcomed a brand new vocational school for special needs students.

The $6 million dollar development provides a cutting edge and supportive learning environment for students not suited to mainstream education.

The school works on future-proofing students with “career-sampling” opportunities aimed at aligning students with preferred and ideal careers alongside standard curriculum in mathematics, English and history.

Even the interior design of the school was considered important, with subdued lighting and tables oriented towards group work.

With counsellors, caseworkers and youth workers on hand to support the faculty of specialised teachers the schools aims to double its current enrolment numbers in 2024.

Classrooms are focused on fostering a relaxed and supportive environment.

Cooloola Christian College $6.4m upgrade - Gympie

In late 2023 one of Gympie’s most prestigious and fastest growing schools announced plans to invest in a game-changing development.

As part of a $6.4 million upgrade, Cooloola Christian College launched plans to develop a new primary centre alongside an indoor sports centre.

The primary centre will include eight “state-of-the-art” classrooms, including an open courtyard with benches for students to relax during lunch breaks.

As part of the school’s 2021 master plan the transformation aims to be completed by mid 2024, with the indoor sports centre hinging on the continued growth of the student cohort.

Principal Ross Waltisbuhl said should the sports centre become a reality, the school would happily open the doors of the complex top the community and groups outside the school.

Construction of the new primary centre at Cooloola Christian College is already underway for completion in mid 2024.

Premier announces $12m funding for Kepnock State High School - Bundaberg

In April of 2023, then Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the trip to Bundaberg to announce a $12m funding boost for Kepnock State High School.

The funding boost almost doubled the initial investment made the by the state government to $22m aimed at building a new industrial design and technology facility at the high school.

The facility would represent the future of manual arts for the school, with three junior wood workshops, a junior metal workshop, a senior furnishing workshop and a senior engineering workshop.

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith also attended the announcement and said the development would compliment the future of the agriculture, horticulture, and manufacturing sectors which support of the region.

Council secures major school funding boost - South Burnett

Six major upgrades will transform five schools across the South Burnett in 2024 thanks to $1.2m in funding secured by the South Burnett Regional Council.

The developments, which are funded by the School Infrastructure Program, were officially announced in April of 2023 for St Mary’s Catholic College, Kingaroy State and State High School, St Joseph’s Catholic College and Murgon State and State High School.

Much of the funding will go towards improving the safety of roads and crossings near the schools, alongside the addition of drainage infrastructure.

The developments are expected to be completed in 2024, with the investments improving the look and safety of the schools key access and foot traffic points.

Riverside Christian College unveils expansion plans - Maryborough

In January of 2023 Maryborough’s Riverside Christian College unveiled major plans to overhaul the school with plans to bring more than 100 new students as part of two stage development.

The development proposed to extend the popular private school through the building of a brand-new two storey junior college on the schools grounds.

Stage one of the development plans to construct the junior college building, which would include six classrooms, a junior lab, staffrooms and an outdoor play area on the ground floor alone.

Nine additional classrooms would be built on the top floor with the addition of a junior music room, with stage two expanding parking lots and the building itself.

As part of the development, the new layout of the schools ground also aims at improving the safety of the school’s pick-up and drop-off zones.

Riverside Christian College unveils two-storey junior college expansion in new development application lodged with the Fraser Coast Regional Council

Gympie Central State School invests in improving safety - Gympie

A major renovation in the heart of a Gympie primary school began in 2023, aimed at creating a safer environment for students and staff.

Gympie Central State School oversaw the construction of multiple covered footpaths and a new set of stairs aimed at eliminating a key safety hazard at the school.

A “steep and dangerous” driveway was replaced by a set of stairs at the school grounds, improving the accessibility of the area as well as the aesthetics of the school.

Principal Glenn Cafferky spoke on the development and said the school was excited to make such accessibility minded improvements.

“The new stairs and walkways will not only make it easier for students to get around the school, but also provide a more welcoming experience for visitors to our school.”

Gympie Central State School oversaw the major change to the schools landscape.