One-of-a-kind school’s to build new classrooms, pool, sports hall to meet enrolment demand

As enrolment numbers continue to surge, a pioneering Queensland school has revealed plans for a multimillion-dollar expansion that features new classrooms, a pool, and sports hall.

The only school in the country dedicated to students with a language disorder is undergoing a multimillion-dollar expansion as enrolment numbers continue to surge.

Mancel College in Brisbane’s southwest has attracted families from across the country. It expects to have 150 students next year and double this number in five years’ time.

The co-ed college opened 45 years ago and caters for Prep-Year 12. It was renamed from the Glenleighden School this year.

Mancel College principal Peter Foster with pupils (left to right) Khayden, 12, Maddie, 12, and Alex, 6, in one of their newly-constructed classrooms. Photo: Steve Pohlner.

One in 10 Australian children have a language disorder.

Principal Peter Foster said the language disorders the school caters for varies, but includes stutters or children who have contextual processing issues.

“The idea is to teach the way that they learn in 12 different ways with teachers, teacher aides, speech therapists and occupational therapists,” he said.

Mr Foster said there had been a spike in enrolments in the last few years, with student numbers going from 70-80 and set to reach 150-160 in 2023.

“We will probably go from one to three Prep classes next year,” he said.

Families had visited the college from various states and relocated to Brisbane to send their child to Mancel College. Even from as far as Tasmania.

“We had one here the other day from Canberra, so that family will move up,” Mr Foster said.

The college’s master plan includes multiple new classroom buildings, a sports hall, rooftop pool, new science facilities, and state-of-the-art creative design room.

Designs of the second new building to be built at Mancel College. Credit: Giarola Architects.

The first new building – a classroom block – opened this month.

The second building to go up will include more classrooms, a rooftop swimming pool, food and hospitality area, and design and technology space.

Mr Foster said he hopes the master plan will be finished in five years and expects student numbers to reach 300 by that time.

Mancel College’s annual fees are about $13,000-$14,000 – which is considered mid-range. The college also receives specialist state and federal government funding.

Children regularly come to the college after a tough time in mainstream schools.

“I don’t blame the mainstream system because it is difficult when you have a teacher with 25 kids. It is frustrating for the poor parents,” Mr Foster said.

The exterior render of the second new building to be constructed. Credit: Giarola Architects.

“We get stories that they didn’t fit, or they were becoming a behavioural issue, but they come here and they do fit.

“One of our boys, Hamish, gave a speech the other day in front of the assembly about how he didn’t fit in at his previous private boys school.

“But here, the teachers are patient, he’s learning, he’s turning up every day to school, and really achieving.”