Queensland’s first ever vertical school is now officially open.
Education Minister and Member for McConnel opened Stage 1 of the $100 million Fortitude Valley State Secondary College at a ceremony at the school today.
“Today is a milestone day for state school education in Brisbane,” Ms Grace said.
“As we know, Fortitude Valley SSC is the first state high school to be built in Brisbane’s inner city in more than 50 years.
“This new St Pauls Terrace centre is the first ever high-rise state school building to be constructed in this state.
“I am proud to be the local member for this future-focused school in the heart of Fortitude Valley.,” Ms Grace said.
Fortitude Valley SSC was one of eight new schools to open their doors at the start of the 2020 school year, an investment of more than $450 million that supported 1369 full-time jobs.
Ms Grace said investing in school infrastructure was a key part of the Palaszczuk Government’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 global health pandemic.
“To open a school in a year the world was struck by a terrible pandemic has presented the school community with many challenges, but I’m proud to say that everyone involved – staff, students, parents and carers – have risen to the challenge.
“The new school is absolutely stunning, and everybody can see that the new facilities here are state-of-the-art.
“The construction of Fortitude Valley State Secondary College supported an estimated 296 jobs and 57 apprentices across the life of the project, including approximately 38,484 apprentice hours on site.
“Now that Stage 1 is complete, you have two distinct and completed precincts, including the Brookes Street Precinct with a learning centre, a performing arts centre and beautiful outdoor spaces; and the recently completed St Pauls Terrace Precinct which includes a seven-storey junior learning centre with specialist and general learning areas, and a lawn.
“And we are all looking forward to opening Stage 2 in 2023, which will deliver a sports facility and a secondary learning precinct for Years 10 to 12.
Foundation Principal Sharon Barker said she was exceptionally proud to lead such a beautiful school.
“It has been wonderful to see the school emerge from its building site and take shape with the arrival of our staff, students and families,” Ms Barker said.
“The design of the school is unique and this challenged us to think about how we design our curriculum – seeing teachers and students creating a curriculum which encourages them to fulfil their potential has been a privilege.
“I want to thank my staff, students, families and the wider school community for helping us to create a community of agile learners who are bold, resilient and kind.”
