New $11.6m multistorey learning centre, outdoor centre to boost Manly State School

A primary school on Brisbane’s bayside is set to undergo a massive extension after growth caused by a never before seen residential boom in the area.

A primary school on Brisbane’s bayside will embark on a massive $11.6 million expansion plan to deal with growth caused by a residential boom never seen before in the area.

Enrolments at Manly State School have spiked in the past two years as an influx of young families move to the surrounding suburbs due to the proliferation of modern residential projects as the demand for bayside living continues to grow.

The school on Ernest St in Manly, which was built in 1910, has seen enrolments increase from 657 students in 2019 to 701 this year.

Manly State School. Picture: Adam Armstrong

Responding to the trend, the Queensland Government has invested $11.6 million in the school to build a new multistorey learning centre and outdoor learning area.

“The new $11.1 million multistorey learning centre will include six general learning areas, a music centre and an outdoor learning area, A Queensland Department of Education spokesman said.

“A new $550,000 outdoor learning area is currently in the design phase, and will allow students to engage and learn in an outdoor environment, while catering to various learning needs of all students.”

Manly State School.

A parent of a student at Manly State School, who believed the extension was much-needed, said the current facilities would struggle to cope with more growth as more and more families move the area.

“It’s becoming quite apparent that more people are coming to the school and you can notice it,” she said.

“It’s a great school but with increasing enrolments, the campus definitely needs work done because I think the amount of students coming to the school will continue to grow in the near future.”

Cousins Alexis Cohen and Malachi Hodges are fifth generation Manly State School students who started at the school in 2018. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

State Member for Lytton Joan Pease (ALP) said the government’s contribution to help Manly State School was a huge boost for education on the bayside.

Due it being a state school, every applicant within the Manly State School’s catchment is meant to be granted a place, but Councillor for Wynnum Manly Peter Cumming (ALP) said he believed there were more students eligible than places available.

Cr Cumming said he supported the government’s plans for an extension at the school.

“Manly State School parents are some of the wealthiest cohort in Queensland and obviously very happy with the school,” he said.

“Obviously there has been some development in the area, which has meant more houses in the suburb, causing more demand for places at the school.

“I support (the extension plans) as the amount of playground at Manly State School has been significantly reduced over the years I have been councillor.”