$20 million project delivers new learning centre and extra space at Coolum SHS

Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing The Honourable Grace Grace
  • New two-storey learning centre features six learning spaces and four music spaces
  • The project also included infill work to ‘Block E’, creating two more science spaces and three new learning spaces
  • The school’s existing administration building has also been extended to accommodate future growth

Minister for Education Grace Grace officially opened Coolum State High School’s new two-storey learning centre today.

The new learning centre is named Gagal-Gira, taken from the local Indigenous word for ‘shining light’.

It features six new learning spaces and four music spaces, as well as a breakout space, staff work spaces, amenities, a lift and an undercroft with capacity for future infill.

Overall, the Palaszczuk Government has invested $20 million in new capital works at Coolum State High School, including the partial infill of Block E to create two additional science spaces and three new learning spaces.

An extension of the existing administration building has also been delivered to include a conference room, offices, visiting specialist rooms, a kitchenette and meeting rooms.

An outdoor covered area for seating and learning, as well as the relocation of two tennis courts and the resurfacing of the existing school tennis courts, has also been delivered.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Education Grace Grace:

“We’ve invested an additional $20 million at Coolum State High School to expand facilities for staff and students.

“The new Gagal Gira learning centre is an important addition to the school’s facilities and will be a fantastic new asset for the school community. “This project supported an average of 13 full-time jobs over four years and also gave around 30 apprentices important construction experience. “This project is yet another example of the Palaszczuk Government’s massive investment in state school infrastructure.

“We’ve invested more than $12 billion in new and improved state schools and school facilities since 2015, with more on the way.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton:

“I’m proud to be part of a government that’s investing so heavily in state schools on the Sunshine Coast.

“This new learning centre at Coolum State High School will help to cater for future growth in the local community and the new facilities will be enjoyed for years to come.”

Quotes attributable to the Coolum SHS Principal Troy Ascott:

“We are all delighted with the outcome of this new building and renovation project.

“Since it was completed, our school has enjoyed these new spaces and enhanced facilities.

“As well as the new learning spaces, the new learning centre includes a breakout space for collaboration, staffrooms, a lift, student and staff amenities, a large outdoor covered area, and an undercroft with capacity for future infill.

“Our most over-riding feeling is one of gratitude for this project – we know we have something special in Gagal-Gira.”

/Public Release. View in full here.