BOOST FOR GROWING SCHOOLS

PIMPAMA State Secondary College has been granted $24 million to help accomodate its booming student population.

The money, pledged in yesterday’s State Budget, will be used to build new classrooms, a performing arts centre and carpark.

Principal John Thornberry (pictured) said the expansion was desperately needed to cater for the growing number of students at the school.

“When the school opened in 2013 we had 295 students, now we have over 1600,” he said.

The works, which have already begun, include a double-storey building with classrooms and specialist teaching areas such as art rooms.

“The buildings were part of the master plan, but because of the population growth they had to be brought forward 12 months,” Mr Thornberry said.

“It means a great deal, we will now be able to offer subjects that require specialist areas like arts, rooms for drama, dance and music and a virtual reality lab.

“We have a big focus on building technology skills.”

More than $81 million was committed to education on the Gold Coast in the Budget, with funds spread across schools in the city’s growing north.

Ormeau Woods State High School received $6.5 million for a new building with additional classrooms, while Pimpama State Secondary College received $9.2 million for two new buildings, including a performing arts centre.