The last six Queensland schools still closed or at reduced capacity due to recent devastating floods will reopen their doors to all staff and students tomorrow for Term 2, 2022.
Significant works over the school holidays have allowed Milpera State High School, Aviation High, Rocklea State School, Milton State School, One Mile State School and St Helens State School to reopen.
Education Minister Grace Grace commended the outstanding efforts of Queensland’s most flood-affected school communities.
“I’d like to thank the tremendous work of our principals, staff, parents and carers – our entire school communities – for all their hard work to restore almost normal operations as soon as possible,” Ms Grace said.
“I also thank the team at QBuild and various staff right across the Department of Education for their cooperation and outstanding work to support all flood-affected schools through this difficult period.
“I’m sure I join with staff, students and parents of the six reopening schools in expressing my delight that essential flood recovery works have been completed and the school bells are ready to ring again.
“While some minor remediation work may need to continue in Term 2, this will not impact teaching and learning.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the eight schools that hosted flood-affected students so they could continue to learn in a safe environment, while their schools were being prepared for their return.”
“For example, around 150 students and their teachers from One Mile State School used facilities at Gympie Central State School and all students and staff at St Helens State School were welcomed temporarily at Maryborough West State School.
“In other examples West End, Windsor, Ithaca Creek and Brisbane Central State Schools hosted classes from Milton State School.
“Milpera State High School relocated all of its classes to Yeronga State High School, while Rocklea State School relocated its classes to Salisbury State School.
“That sense of support and stability would have been extremely valuable to students and their families, as well as staff, during a time of crisis.
“This has been a fantastic effort by all involved to ensure the impact on each school community is minimised.”
Milpera State High School Principal Julie Peel said that the community, QBuild and the Department of Education had been fantastic.
“Everyone’s contribution to helping our school recover from the flood event and get back up and running so quickly is truly appreciated by our whole school community,” Ms Peel said.
“Our staff and students are looking forward to coming back to their much-loved school for Term 2.
“Getting back to normal classes at Milpera State School in a relatively short space of time, given what has happened, is particularly important since many of our students are newly arrived migrants and refugees.
“In a time of crisis, you find out how much people really care and the support we’ve received from QBuild, Education infrastructure and regional staff working around the clock; plus the support from Yeronga State High School was amazing.”
One Mile State School Principal, Mr Stuart Bell said he wanted to thank the One Mile school community for their support and understanding as the school recovers from the recent flooding events. “I would like to thank the staff and students of Gympie Central State School for their hospitality while hosting our Prep, Year 1 and Year 3 students for the last four weeks of Term 1,” Mr Bell said.
“It has been through the great work of our Education Department, Regional Infrastructure team, QBuild and their contractors all working together that we are able to have all staff and students back at One Mile State School for the first day of Term 2.”
St Helens State School Principal, Ms Kim Burns-Atkinson said that staff were looking forward to welcoming students back to St Helens for the start of Term 2.
“The school is looking fabulous after the flood repairs, with newly laid carpets, rooms freshly painted and gardens manicured,” Ms Burns-Atkinson said.
“A huge thank you to our regional support team, QBuild and trades people for their wonderful work.
“Thanks also to Maryborough West for hosting us so that learning could continue for our students. We are looking forward to being back in our lovely school after the holidays.”
Milton State School Principal, Mr Paul Zernike said that the collegiality and warm welcome from each school community was simply outstanding.
“The work of the school leadership teams, staff, parents and students played a very significant role in the planning and execution of the relocation,” Mr Zernike said.
