Upper Mount Gravatt State School to reopen Tuesday after fire
An incredible show of community spirit is helping the fire-ravaged Upper Mount Gravatt State School rise from the ashes.
Southeast
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In the wake of the Upper Mount Gravatt State School fire principal Derek Brady feels humbled and overwhelmed by the support and love shown from people near and far.
Since Friday night’s fire, which destroyed eight classrooms, passionate members of the school community, including the Department of Education, Department of Housing and Public Works, and an army of contractors, have been working around the clock to get students back in classrooms.
Tomorrow, the school and the Outside School Hours Care service are expected to be reopened.
Upper Mt Gravatt State School principal Derek Brady posted a touching photo on Facebook a few hours ago of a yellow flower among the ashes with the caption: “Renewal and hope … out of ashes, great and beautiful things grow. Stay strong Upper Mount Gravatt State School”.
Investigations into the fire, which started at 7.10pm on June 14, are continuing, according to the Queensland Police Service.
State Member for Mansfield Corrine McMillan, who has been working tirelessly to assist the school, said new book packs would be provided free to students who lost their supplies in the fire.
“Students will have brand new classrooms, desks, chairs and book packs (by) Tuesday morning,” she said.
“Only a fenced off slab will be left of the old building, ready for community consultation on the plans for the new one!
“Guidance Officers and other support staff will be available for any students or staff who require it,” a Department of Education spokesman added.
“The school would like to thank the entire community for their outpouring of support, as well as everybody involved in getting the school back on track to resume normal classes on Tuesday.”
The school will continue to update parents to confirm arrangements for Tuesday.
HOW TO DONATE
Stationery supplies can be dropped off at Member for Mansfield Corrine McMillan’s office at 12 Mount Gravatt-Capalaba Road, Upper Mount Gravatt.
Details for those who wish to make a monetary donation, direct deposit can be made to the below account.
All money will be used to buy learning resources for the students.
Account Name: Upper Mount Gravatt State School P & C
BSB: 064130
Account Number: 10173082
Description: Fire
RESPONSE FROM THE COMMUNITY
Lisa Broadhurst: What an amazing response. Feel so sorry for those teachers. I spend at least a $1000 a year on supplies and that doesn’t include all my time spent laminating resources, etc. Everyone will be so grateful to the community for their response.
Melissa Haacke: Fabulous news! You don’t muck around, do you (Corrine McMillan MP)! What a huge effort to get this much done so quickly.
Michelle Pokoj: Wow. What an amazing turnaround time in very trying conditions. I’m sure teachers and students are extremely stressed and devastated and getting back to business will be just the thing. Great work.
Denna Graham: Made my eyes leaky. Schools are the heart of communities.
Colin Beames: Beyond belief — what an amazing group of people.
Katie Rowley: Amazing Corrine. Great to see the students back Tuesday after the events of the weekend. Well done to all involved for making it happen.
Lions Club of Brisbane MacGregor president Narelle Wyvill-Anstey: Just devastating for kids, families, teachers and the community but with support we’ll get them back to school again in a new building. Hopefully the trauma of what happened won’t be too great for the kids.
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