Wyreema school back from brink
WYREEMA State School was slated for closure in 2013, but after fighting to keep the school open, their enrolments have more than quadrupled.
Today Wyreema State School has 174 students enrolled compared to just 40 in 2013.
Running at full capacity, the school has received funding from the State Government to expand its facilities.
Education Minister Grace Grace confirmed construction would begin shortly on a $7 million facility at Wyreema State School on the Darling Downs.
Ms Grace said the project would be finished in time for the 2021 school year.
“This is an incredible turnaround for this small school which was earmarked for closure in 2013,” Ms Grace said.
“Thankfully, this tightknit community fought hard to save this school, petitioning then Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek.
“It certainly paid off and the Wyreema area has since expanded.”
“Since 2013, the school’s enrolment numbers skyrocketed … meaning more space was needed to accommodate these students.
“This is a huge win not only for the school community but also the Toowoomba region.”
School principal Bronwyn Bretz said the funding would allow them to build five new classrooms/learning spaces, an admin block, a tuckshop and a uniform shop.
She said the whole community was behind the expansion.
“It’s fantastic to see a small community has grown and the education has grown with the community,” Ms Bretz said.
“The new facilities will be state-of-the-art and allow the community to continue to thrive and be a place all students can come to learn.
“The school is excited about the new developments and is excited to see what the school will look like in the next 12 months.”
Construction is set to begin in March.