Community & Business
1 February, 2024
MP opens new state of the art facility at PSHS
Minister for Education Di Farmer, officially opened the new $9.08 million school hall at Pittsworth State High School (PSHS).
The new facility, funded by the Queensland Government, includes a multi-purpose court suitable for volleyball, basketball and netball, a performance stage, kinesiology lab/ gym space, green room, kitchen and kiosk, staff spaces, change rooms and amenities.
Ms Farmer was welcomed by staff and students of PSHS, in what was her first school visit as Education Minister.
She then received a tour of the new facility with Principal Dan Lindenmayer and the Regional Director of Education for the Darling Downs and South West, Alan Jones.
After a walk through the new building, Mr Lindenmayer thanked Ms Farmer, as well as the number of people who initially advocated, planned and were involved in the production process of constructing the new hall.
When speaking about the benefits of having this new building, Mr Lindenmayer said, “This new state of the art facility will ensure that we are as equipped as we possibly can be, to provide a modern and purpose built learning environment for our students, to ensure that they can continue to be prepared, positive, productive and proud students of Pittsworth State High School.”
He also explained how the importance of a building such as this, in a country town like Pittsworth, is much more than just a school facility but also a resource that will be used in the wider community by local sporting groups and neighbouring schools.
Although this project has been in the pipeline for more than 20 years, the last five years have seen the final push, with support from the PSHS P&C, staff and the regional construction team, to bring this project to fruition.
Prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Minister spoke about how a sense of belonging emerges from partnerships between schools and the community.
“I know how much a school hall transforms the life of the community,” she said.
“So, I want to say congratulations to every-body who’s been involved in it.
“It’s a huge amount of work, and it’s been well done.”
As a past student of PSHS, Mr Lindenmayer was proud to see this new project undertaken in his small town.
“As a principal in a rural town, advocating for facilities and access to things that everyone else has, in particular in the more populated areas, is something we’re very passionate about, and I’m incredibly proud to have this facility here so our kids absolutely have the same access as anyone else, anywhere.
“At Pittsworth State High we have a really big footprint, in terms of the children that attend our school and our catchment, so we have kids who travel over an hour from the outskirts on properties and farms, to come to school here - and they’re not missing out now,” Mr Lindenmayer said.
School leader Liam Cousen was asked what his first impressions of the hall were, in which he described it as, “Just, wow.”
After the formalities had ended, Mr Lindenmayer was questioned briefly about the new “Away for the Day” mobile phone policy that came into effect this week.
He said that his school community was incredibly supportive of this policy and he’s looking forward to seeing students more engaged with one other.
Ms Farmer, who is also the Minister for Youth Justice, was asked about the spike in youth crime in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.
“I have a constant watch on what’s happening with youth crime around the state,” she claimed.
The Minister’s busy schedule also included a visit to Oakey and Warwick last Friday, to inspect the construction progress on their own new facilities.
The Queensland Government is investing a record $17.8 billion in Queensland’s education system this financial year, including $2.1 billion as part of its Big Build to improve, expand and maintain schools right across the state, supporting 3,700 jobs.
Since 2015 there have been 77 new halls and performing arts centres built in Queensland State schools.
The new hall at PSHS is available to community groups for hire.
Contact the school to register your interest.
