Education Minister Grace Grace and Member for Mansfield Corrine McMillan have praised the efforts of all those who have worked so efficiently to get Upper Mount Gravatt State School re-opened after a devastating fire on Friday night.
“What has been achieved at Upper Mount Gravatt State School is nothing short of herculean,” Ms Grace said.
“Fire destroyed Block E on Friday night and with it eight classrooms that were home to students in Prep, as well as grades two, three and four.
“Work to clear the site and install temporary classrooms commenced as soon as the site was released by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and the Queensland Police Service.
“As a result, around 80 hours after the fire started students will be walking into replacement classrooms ready for another school day having missed only one day of school.
“These classrooms will have new furniture and teaching aides and book packs will be ready for each student.
“I thank the teams at the Department of Education and the Department of Housing and Public Works’ Building and Asset Services, as well as all the contractors who have worked around the clock to help get this school back on its feet.”
Ms McMillan said her office had been inundated with donations of learning materials from members of the community.
“The response from the community has been amazing,” Mrs McMillan said.
“Since putting a call out on social media for donations to support students who had lost all their learning materials, my office has received hundreds of items from members of the southside community.
“These donations will further minimise the impact of the fire on students.”
Support is being provided to students and staff at the school to help them come to terms with the fire.
Anyone with information about the fire should contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
