The rising Brisbane high school set to take on elite rivals

This Brisbane state high school blitzed the 2018 OP leaderboard and now a $10.7m investment could help propel it further into the state’s elite education ranks.

Abigail Cassidy, 14,Year 9, principal Anne McLauchlan and Ella Passfield, 14, Year 9

The Gap State High School is poised to move into the elite level of Queensland schools after the completion of its cutting-edge $10.7 million science and maths centre.

The school blitzed the 2018 OP leaderboard, coming in neck-and-neck with Mt St Michael’s and ahead of other top private schools.

Families are now starting to move into the suburb so they can get into its catchment area.

The eye-catching three-storey STEM building, completed over the school holidays, is expected to take The Gap to the next level.

State Innovation Minister and Labor MP for Cooper, Kate Jones, said students had made the most of its eye-popping facilities since the start of the year, when it was mostly complete.

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“This world-class centre includes seven classrooms, three flexible learning areas, two robotics laboratories and four science laboratories,” Ms Jones said.

“Two former science rooms have been converted into two classrooms, with the upgraded facilities helping meet the capacity and learning needs of this thriving Brisbane school.

“The new spaces are being used by students in Years 10 to 12, as well as junior classes in the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“This development has taken The Gap State High (TGSH) to the next level.

“Having one of the best resourced science and technology-focused schools in the country in your backyard is a real coup for our community.”

She said the centre was funded under the Government’s 2020 Ready school infrastructure program.

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TGSH principal Anne McLauchlan said the new building allowed more students to access science and robotics learning spaces than ever before.

“The new laboratories support further growth and uptake by more students in STEM subjects,’’ she said.

“These new classrooms will also give us plenty of space to accommodate our continued growth in enrolments, particularly the significant increase expected in 2020.”

The school will grow from 1550 students this year to 1770 next year and 1800 by 2022.

She said the all the maths and science teachers could fit in one staffroom, facilitating co-operation.

“We know when teachers talk to teachers you get better results,’’ she said.

“The learning spaces are also agile — you can close off areas, the tables are on wheels and it is designed to ensure flow so the science officers can move through an entire floor without opening a door.’’

There is even a dedicated space for 3D printers and overhead cameras so students no longer have to crowd around a teacher to see experiments.

Year 9 students Abigail Cassidy, 14, and Ella Passfield, also 14, were thrilled.

“It’s really amazing,’’ Ella said.

“It’s so much fun now having lessons.’’

A date for the official opening of the building is yet to be confirmed.