Toowoomba Grammar School starts construction on new design, engineering, technology centre with Hutchinson Builders

Robotics, virtual reality and 3D design will be just some of the features included in a top Toowoomba private school’s massive new technology centre. See the plans here.

Concept art of Toowoomba Grammar School's new TGS Design, Engineering and Technology Centre, which is now under construction.

Students at one of Toowoomba’s most prestigious private schools will work with virtual reality, robotics and cutting edge engineering and design technology as part of a new precinct the headmaster says will help prepare them for tomorrow’s economy.

Construction is now under way by Hutchinson Builders on Toowoomba Grammar School’s new design, engineering and technology (DET) building at its campus off Herries St.

The multimillion-dollar project, slated to launch in 2026, will cover four storeys and feature a mix of labs, classrooms, workshops, collaborating spaces and even a function room on the top floor.

Grammar headmaster John Kinniburgh said planning for the DET centre started shortly after his appointment in 2021.

Overseeing the construction of Toowoomba Grammar's new design, engineering and technology centre are (from left) headmaster John Kinniburgh and Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba team leader Sean Lees.

“There are your traditional subjects in there too, like metal and wood areas, really advanced facilities, but we’ve also got cognitive learning spaces, collaborative learning spaces where we have virtual reality and augmented reality spaces,” he said.

“These are really areas and spaces that boys will be able to come together with multidisciplinary approaches, and the idea is to centralise that into this facility.

“This concept was developed when I arrived – and this is because I am passionate about these industries (that relate to it).”

Dr Kinniburgh said the school would work closer with key industries using the DET centre to ensure students were better prepared for careers in a changing economy, especially in Toowoomba.

“The (job) opportunities here in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs are just extraordinary for our boys so our view is, let’s bring those partnerships in those industries to work closely with their boys while they are here in school,” he said.

“Toowoomba is the absolute hub of industries like agriculture technology, we are right on some of the richest farming land in the country and we have seen the opportunities and what our boys go into post career.

“We want them to be exposed to that here at an earlier stage and with the very best learning facilities, because we think they make a massive impact both locally, nationally and internationally with the skills they gain here, and so we’re pretty excited by what this will help them do.”

Concept art of Toowoomba Grammar School's new TGS Design, Engineering and Technology Centre, which is now under construction.

Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba team leader Sean Lees said as many as 1500 workers would be involved in its construction.

“It’s one of the more special buildings that’s being constructed at the moment, and perhaps of all-time, in Toowoomba,” he said.

“It’s a beautiful building, and it’s cutting-edge in terms of its technology, and I think it’s an amazing educational facility that the students will be fortunate enough to use.

“We are very proud to be a part of it – this is a very significant piece of infrastructure as far as learning opportunities for our young men go and we’re just thrilled and grateful to participate in it.”

Grammar eyes expansion to meet agriculture industry demands

Overseeing the construction of Toowoomba Grammar's new design, engineering and technology centre are (from left) headmaster John Kinniburgh and Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba team leader Sean Lees.

The advancement of the DET centre is just the first step as part of revamp of Toowoomba Grammar’s campus.

Dr Kinniburgh said the school was currently expanding its footprint as part of an existing ministerial infrastructure designation (MID) with the state government that would see it create a new agriculture and industry centre on the other side of Herries St.

“The purpose of the MID is to actually future-proof what we might do in the future, and we’re very cognisant of the need to plan for a sustainable future and for the long-term,” he said.

“We are undertaking some significant projects now and we will look at a whole range of things as part of our master plan in the future.

“One of the initiatives is over the road and we’ll be commencing that shortly – that’s an agriculture and industry centre, which tailors into the opportunities here in the region, providing our boys with the very best access to learning, knowledge, skills and practical experiences while they’re at school.”

Concept art for the upcoming Toowoomba Grammar School master plan.

Dr Kinniburgh said this could see traffic lights installed on Herries St, though a full solution hadn’t been finalised.

“The important thing for us is child safety, and so as part of that MID we are exploring how we get those boys across here safely,” he said.

“Traffic light solutions are being explored as well as a whole range of options.

“Nothing is set in stone until such a time as we can get approval, but we’re exploring through that at the council level and working with our consultants.”