Southport State High to reopen for school term after ‘suspicious’ fire destroys building
A Gold Coast school damaged by a “suspicious” fire last week has got some good news after a weekend of devastation.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SOUTHPORT State High School has announced plans to reopen ahead of the start of Term 4 tomorrow.
It comes just days after a heritage-listed wing of the school was gutted by a “suspicious” fire last week.
Executive Principal Nigel Hughes took to Facebook last night to confirm the school was “on track” to reopen after the damaged B Block was torn down over the weekend.
“I am delighted to advise that we are on track to come back to school for the start of Term 4 on Tuesday,” he wrote on the school’s page.
“While there is still much to do over the course of the next 38 hours or so, and numerous trades will continue to work across the remainder of the weekend, we look forward to having our school handed back to us so that we can get on with the business of teaching and learning.”
AMAZING OFFER: GET A SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB A 8.0 WITH THIS BULLETIN SUBSCRIPTION (T & Cs apply)
The school today posted a map of the new buildings and revealed that landscaping was today taking place at the site.
Fire investigators are yet to lay charges or make any arrests over the fire, which started at 2.20am last Friday.
Drones were used to inspect the building, believed to contain asbestos, before it was torn down and new temporary buildings installed.
Mr Hughes confirmed new arrangements were being made.
“Our old B Block area will remain cordoned off and our new buildings will be connected by new paths and gardens that will take some getting used to for a few days,” he wrote.
“I will provide more information and a new site map in one of my updates (today) so that students can start to familiarise themselves with where their classes will take place.
“Again, our total school site remains a construction site at the present time and is under the control of the Department of Education, Fleetwood contractors and QBuild.”
The final update on the school’s condition and official confirmation of its reopening is expected today.
Man left with life-threatening injuries in Gold Coast stabbing
A father of five has learned his fate for his role in a violent confrontation on a suburban street that left one man with “imminently life-threatening” injuries.
Toy guns, knife in wild scenes at Pac Fair
A man has been charged after shoppers were allegedly witness to bizarre scenes in Pacific Fair involving a knife, toy guns and teens said to have been causing havoc.