FULL SCHOOLS A LESSON FOR ALL
New residents are turning tail and heading back south due to oversubscribed schools, which could pose a serious problem for our city
THE Gold Coast needs to get schooled.
As interstate migrants continue to flood the city, attracted by our glittering reputation, it seems some are finding nothing but fool’s gold … with parents unable to enrol their children in our education system.
Urbis Gold Coast director Matthew Schneider says a number of new residents have turned tail and headed back south due to oversubscribed schools.
And while plenty of longterm residents might well wish these newcomers good riddance, this could pose a serious problem for our city – because today’s new arrival is tomorrow’s resident,
Although the latest State Budget billed a ‘schools cash splash’ for the Gold Coast, the reality is that – given our population spike – it’s arguably too little too late.
“It’s only anecdotal evidence so far, but there are a number of new arrivals who are leaving because they can’t get their children into school,” says Mr Schneider.
“In some circumstances that’s because the school is completely at capacity, in other situations they can’t find a school they’re happy with that has an opening.”
However, speaking at a sod-turning for the new $42.7 million Coomera Special School this week, Education
But it doesn’t take a maths genius to figure out that the Budget expenditure just isn’t enough – not for the short-term and certainly not in the long-term.
Minister Grace Grace promised the state’s education infrastructure investment of almost $1.9 billion would deliver in spades for Gold Coast families and tradies.
And it’s true that our city will receive $171 million for new classrooms and halls and that it will create 440-plus jobs. It includes $24 million for more classrooms at Pacific Pines State High School, more than $1.3 million for upgrades at Nerang State School and $700,000 for William Duncan State School.
But compare that to the facts and figures of our growing enrolments.
The latest data from the Queensland Education Department reveals enrolment numbers at 11 Gold Coast schools have jumped by more than 34 per cent in the past five years, and four of those 11 grew by 53 per cent or more.
Topping the list was Pimpama State Primary College, with a 197 per cent rise in enrolments since 2016, from 276 students to 819 in 2021. But it’s not just our booming northern corridor where students are outgrowing the schools.
Schools whose catchment areas include beachside suburbs – those proving most popular with cashed-up southern arrivals – are also recording huge growth.
Students are also flocking to Palm Beach State School, with a 9 per cent rise in enrolments in one year and a 61 per cent rise in five years.
The beachside school grew from 471 students in 2016 to 756 this year.
Tallebudgera Valley’s Ingleside State School, 15 minutes from Burleigh Heads, has posted a 16 per cent rise in enrolments since 2020 and in the past five years the roll has grown from 95 to 129.
Meanwhile Broadbeach State School has 1117 students – that’s an extra 293 students in five years, or a 36 per cent increase.
And to give the government its due, the Budget includes $7.9 million to complete $10.6 million worth of extra classrooms at Palm Beach State School to cater for this growth.
But it doesn’t take a maths genius to figure out that the Budget expenditure just isn’t enough – not for the shortterm and certainly not in the long-term.
While our city ties itself in knots arguing over infrastructure in regards to public transportation, hospitals and road works, education is a cornerstone of our future.
Not just for our children in school today, but for their jobs of tomorrow.
How can we pride ourselves on our burgeoning education industry if we don’t have enough classrooms for our kids?
Indeed, Queensland Teachers’ Union president Cresta Richardson says overcrowded classrooms can lead to poorer outcomes for children due to a potential reduction of adequate one-onone time, as well as forcing already overstretched teachers to take on extra work.
Building more schools, let alone increasing the capacity of our current schools, is essential given the growth we are experiencing. And, judging by all benchmarks, there is no sign of a slowdown – even with some southerners turning tail.
Consider this a progress report.
There’s no failing grade yet, but let this be a lesson that we need to see more effort.