Top Queensland state schools in big demand

THE biggest state schools in Queensland show no signs of slowing with mega campuses booming in key population hot spots according to the latest figures. SEE THE TOP 10

Alexis Stringfellow, year 3, and Violet O'Shea, year 2, attend North Lakes State College which has grown to become the second biggest school in the state. Pics Tara Croser.

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THE biggest state schools in Queensland show no signs of slowing with mega campuses booming in key population hot spots according to the latest figures.

Enrolment numbers for this year show the largest 10 schools in southeast Queensland are now responsible for educating over 27,700 children, with the major trend upwards.

The figures released by the Department of Education and Training cover every single state school in Queensland for the last five years based on total students enrolled in February.

On the Gold Coast Varsity College has reclaimed top spot as the largest public school with 3248 students across Prep to Year 12.

Inner city Brisbane State High School was next with a total enrolment of 3181, up from 2392 in 2013 showing the increased demand for a spot at the premier public school.

The spike in growth was similar for nearby Kelvin Grove State College, now the fifth biggest public school in the state with 2805 kids having added an extra 775 students since 2013.

Several Gold Coast high schools continue to grow with 401 extra students flocking to Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School while Helensvale State High School has grown by 450 since 2013.

North Lakes State College has hit 3000 students for the first time thanks to new families in master planned communities across the booming northern suburbs of Moreton Bay region.

Executive Principal Samantha Knowles said the school’s growth had been planned for in line with expectations but the college was now on an enrolment management plan with limited new space for schools available.

Alexis Stringfellow, year 3, Kate Fairweather, year 12, Ashley Smith, year 12, Violet O'Shea, year 2, and Zach Swensson, year 8, attend North Lakes State College which has grown to become the second biggest school in the state. Picture: Tara Croser.

The college has four principals and a team of deputies across two campuses over 1km apart with the Prep to Year 12 cohort divided into three phases with staggered lunch and play times.

“Each distinct phase of the college has its own area to learn and play and that allows us to create a small school feel in big school environment,” Ms Knowles said.

“It’s not possible to bring all 3000 students together for assemblies so when we have a really significant school event like Anzac Day we all have a ceremony in our stadium on campus with representatives from each year.

“But them we stream it live across both campuses so everyone, all the teachers and students, can join in to create a sense of one school.

“We also work closely with are two feeder primary schools scoping how many kids we will have coming in.”

Ms Knowles put the school’s continued popularity down to the fact it has grown with the community, an active P & C association and strong links with locals.

The Department of Education and Training declined to indicate which schools were now at capacity unless a Right To Information request was submitted.

Assistant Director-General of Infrastructure Services Kevin Mara said the department used “long term planning strategy to make sure schools are built and operated where they are needed most and where they provide the best possible educational opportunities for students”.

Top 10 in 2017

Varsity College 3248

Brisbane State High School 3181

North Lakes State College 3000

Chancellor State College 2868

Kelvin Grove State College 2805

Meridian State College 2676

Helensvale State High School 2566

Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School 2500

Stretton State College 2450

Mansfield State High School 2440

Originally published as Top Queensland state schools in big demand