New facilities bring ‘education alive’

A Toowoomba school has been revitalised after the opening of $15.4 million of brand new facilities.

QUEENSLAND Minister for Education Grace Grace visited Toowoomba yesterday to officially open the new $15.4 million learning centre and admin block at Harristown State High School.

Ms Grace said it was great to see the new facilities.

"We knew that our schools would grow in 2020 and we wanted to cater for the increase in students," she said.

"It will be the first year we have a full cohort of students right from Year 7 to Year 12.

"It's wonderful today to be in this area to open these outstanding facilities with added learning facilities, music rooms, new kitchens and hospitality areas, science labs.

"It's just been absolutely wonderful to do, and these new modern facilities are about delivering a world-class education in world-class facilities."

Harristown State High School principal Ken Green said it was exciting to have the new building as part of the school.

"I can't put into words how it felt for everybody, whether it be students or staff, to go into a new facility, like a new home," Mr Green said.

"It brought education alive.

"There was so much more enthusiasm, and it was worth the money."

Mr Green said with record enrolments, the new building provided better access to administration and potential for new classes.

"This has outlived our wildest dreams of what we could hope for," he said.

"With the kitchens and new spaces, it just opens up a new curriculum."

The school has 1826 students enrolled, an extra 98 from last year. Mr Green said he expected it to grow again next year.