BUILDING will soon get under way on a $4.77 million automation and robotics centre at Alexandra Hills State High School.
Capalaba MP Don Brown and and Education Minister Grace Grace have turned the ceremonial first sod for the centre, which will boast two design studios, three classrooms, a staff room and an undercover area future-proofed for three additional classrooms.
Mr Brown said the facility demonstrated the Palaszczuk government’s commitment to giving children a great start to life through a world-class education.
“It will enhance the school’s reputation for innovation and excellence in the areas of design, robotics and coding.”
Mr Brown said the school’s future-focused programs were becoming increasingly popular.
“Around half the year 9 cohort for 2019 have selected a digital technology subject as an elective,” he said.
“The school, which operates its centre of excellence in partnership with the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy has seen a 150 per cent increase in the number of students studying academic technology subjects over the past three years.
“That number is likely to continue to increase once the new complex opens in time for the 2020 school year.”
Ms Grace said the government was investing $4.7 million in the new facility and the school about $92,000.
She said the project would support up to 12 full-time jobs during construction.
Alexandra Hills State High School principal Gail Armstrong said she was delighted that the centre was a step closer.
“I am so excited that we will have a purpose-built home for our centre of excellence to help us prepare our students for jobs of the future,” Ms Armstrong said.
“The new facility will enable teachers and students to really explore all the opportunities available in automation, robotics and science.”
Ms Grace said the building project was part of the Queensland government’s 2020 Ready program to provide buildings and extensions to manage the increased student population in state high schools from the introduction of prep in 2007.
“With the original half-cohort of prep students set to graduate from high school at the end of 2019, we will have — for the very first time in 2020 — six full year levels of students in Queensland secondary schools,” Ms Grace said.
Alexandra Hills State High School hosts an annual competition for all Redlands schools that focuses on developing students’ skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
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