Palaszczuk budget brings brighter futures for Gladstone State High School students

It’s official, Gladstone State High School will receive major makeover renovations all thanks to the $16.5 billion education budget handed down by the State Government. Here’s what the plans include.

Close to $18 million will be invested by the Palaszczuk Government towards upgrading Gladstone State High School after Education Minister Grace Grace and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher made the official announcement on Tuesday.

The news came after the record-breaking $16.5 billion education budget was handed down by the Treasurer last week.

Gladstone State High science fanatics should be happy to know $3.5 million will be invested into upgrading the existing science classrooms to provide better education toward skills needed for future employment prospects.

A further $14.3 million will fund a new state of the art Design and Technology Precinct contributing to a “$2 billion investment in education infrastructure this year alone, supporting 4,200 jobs across Queensland”.

$15.5 million of the budget will also be invested towards educating students around respectful relationships.

Principal of Gladstone State High School Leanne Martin said the school welcomed the investment as it would encourage students to flourish in modern work environments.

“It will also help us adapt to rapidly changing curriculum needs and provide our students with renewed facilities which will support the school’s focus on this important and popular part of the curriculum,” Ms Martin said.

The new Design and Technology precinct will be a ‘game changer’ for the school in supporting students to pave the path towards their future career goals.

Mr Butcher said he brought Minister Grace to town last year to pitch for this development and was excited to see it in the budget.

“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,” Mr Butcher said.

“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.”

Glenn Butcher has been pushing for the Gladstone State Highschool to receive budget benefits since last year.

Upgrades similar to this one will “make a huge difference for teachers and students” while implementing the “support of 4,200 jobs across Queensland” aligning with the $2 billion investment behind education infrastructure this year alone.

Education Minister Grace Grace said budgets were about values, and the record-breaking investment showed just how much the government valued the education of young Queenslanders.

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. Picture David Clark.

“This budget is all about delivering good jobs, better services, and enhancing our wonderful Queensland lifestyle,” 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.”