Overcrowding at Warwick State High School continues to be a major concern for the Southern Downs – and now, with the introduction of Year 7 into high school in 2015 – the flow-on effects of this decision for not only this secondary school but other local schools are still unknown.
State Member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg said the present Warwick State High School site and facilities were already stretched beyond a workable safety limit and the introduction of Year 7 could see at least another 200 students attending the school.
Mr Springborg has once again asked Education Minister Cameron Dick about the government’s plan to address not only this situation but how this decision would impact on other local schools.
“I understand the master plan (for Warwick State High School) is finished in draft form but I’m yet to see it and the community at large hasn’t seen it either,” he said.
“I call, through the Free Times, for that master plan to be released to the community in a matter of weeks, not in a matter of months.
“Students and teachers still come to me on a fairly regular basis saying they’re concerned about the lack of space at Warwick State High School.
“It’s not just the influx of Grade 7, which is a challenge, but the natural increase as Warwick grows.”
Mr Springborg said the introduction of Year 7 into high school could have a negative impact on local primary schools, which would see their enrolment numbers drop.
This could mean a decrease in teacher resources as well as support staff or even affect schools’ viability in his electorate.
“I’ve been around to a lot of schools in my electorate and this is a concern to them,” he said.
Mr Dick said enrolment forecasts at this time indicated that some additional classrooms would be required at Warwick State High School to accommodate the expected increase in student numbers from the introduction of Year 7 in 2015.
“The Department will continue to monitor these forecasts to ensure appropriate planning occurs if forecast enrolments change from current projections,” he said.
“Infrastructure will be delivered in state schools on a school-by-school basis to meet the long-term educational needs of communities.
“The Department will take into account existing and forecast enrolments and school capacities.
“During the past four months an officer from the Department has been part of a reference group established at Warwick State High School to develop a master plan for the site, which will steer development and renewal of the school for the future.
“This master plan has recognised the demands on site infrastructure from the introduction of Year 7 from 2015.
“Feedback on the master plan will be sought from the broader school community in coming months,” Mr Dick said.
Story: Rebecca Brown
