Brisbane South State Secondary College Archives

State School Preference Grows in Annerley

Photo Credit: Brisbane State High School

More than half of secondary school students living in Annerley are enrolled in state schools, reflecting a growing preference for public education in the inner-south Brisbane suburb.

*Photo Credit: Brisbane South State Secondary College*

Public Schooling Gains Momentum

Annerley has recorded a significant inclination towards government high school education, with 53.2 per cent of secondary students in the suburb attending state schools. This trend aligns with a broader pattern seen across parts of Brisbane’s southside, where access to high-performing public schools is influencing family decisions on where to live and educate their children.

Brisbane South State Secondary College Relieves Pressure

The nearby Brisbane South State Secondary College (BSSSC) in Dutton Park was opened in 2021 to alleviate enrolment pressures on Brisbane State High School (BSHS), which continues to exceed its capacity. In 2024, BSSSC enrolled 968 students, with a capacity for 1524, and 62 per cent of those students lived outside its catchment area.

BSHS, located within reach of Annerley, had 3521 students enrolled last year—well over its designated capacity of 3000. Nearly half of its student population resided outside the catchment zone, gaining admission through academic, sporting or cultural merit programs.

students performing experiment — *Photo Credit: Brisbane South State Secondary College*

State Schools Outpace Private in Several Suburbs

Annerley’s trend is echoed in suburbs such as Mansfield and Wishart, where over 79 per cent of students attend government high schools. Mansfield State High, for example, had an enrolment of 3651 students last year, with 29 per cent coming from outside its designated zone. The school is recognised for its specialised programs, including French immersion.

In contrast, some of Brisbane’s wealthier suburbs, like Ascot and East Brisbane, lean heavily towards independent schooling, with more than 40 per cent of students in these areas attending private schools.

*Photo Credit: Brisbane State High School*

Community Response and Catchment Pressures

The appeal of top-performing state schools, particularly BSHS, has led to rising housing demand in their catchment areas.

In West End, 83.8 per cent of students opt for state education, and the BSHS catchment has become a key real estate drawcard. In response, the school has implemented strict enrolment policies, including proof of residency and statutory declarations, to address enrolment fraud.

While Annerley is not within the BSHS catchment, its proximity to schools like BSSSC has contributed to the area’s steady public school enrolment rate.

state school students — *Photo Credit: Brisbane State High School*

Future Planning and Infrastructure Considerations

To accommodate rising student numbers in Brisbane’s inner south, the Queensland schools planning reference committee has flagged the potential need for a new primary school in the South Brisbane, West End and Highgate Hill area within the next decade. This follows a $34 million expansion of West End State School in 2022, increasing its capacity to 1730 students.

Community groups have raised concerns about the pressure on schools, particularly as council-led high-density developments progress across the Kurilpa peninsula.

Published 26-Mar-2025

‘Brisbane Birdsong’: A Celebration of Native Wildlife in Dutton Park

Photo Credit; Artforce Brisbane

Located near the intersection of Gladstone Rd and Denbigh St, Dutton Park is now home to “Brisbane Birdsong”, a stunning mural created by Year 9 students from Brisbane South State Secondary College under the Artforce Brisbane initiative.

Brisbane Birdsong Dutton Park — *Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane*

This vibrant artwork celebrates Brisbane’s native birdlife, featuring iconic species such as curlews, magpies, and golden wattles.

The mural, supported by teacher Chrissa Stalianos, showcases the creative contributions of students Milla Powell, Kayla Doughty, Neve Bethany Loom, Nikka Strickland, Penny Grodecky, and Halle Poke. It serves as both an artistic statement and an educational piece, reminding passers-by of the beauty and importance of Brisbane’s natural environment.

A Canvas of Brisbane’s Birdlife

Completed in 2024 November, “Brisbane Birdsong” captures the vibrant energy of the city’s birdlife. The students brought each species to life with intricate details and bright, harmonious colours, creating a sense of connection between urban spaces and nature.

Each bird featured in the mural tells a story, symbolising the resilience and vibrancy of Brisbane’s ecosystem

“Brisbane Birdsong” was brought to life through Artforce Brisbane, an initiative managed by Urban Smart Projects. The program provides artists and community groups with a platform to transform traffic signal boxes and public spaces into creative landmarks.

Empowering Young Artists Through Artforce Brisbane

Young artists painting the Brisbane Birdsong — *Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane*

Artforce Brisbane empowers young artists like these students to share their unique visions while fostering a stronger sense of pride and connection in their local communities.

The mural has quickly become a point of pride for Dutton Park residents and students from Brisbane South State Secondary College. Public art projects like “Brisbane Birdsong” highlight the importance of creativity in fostering connection and community spirit.

For students and locals alike, the mural serves as a daily reminder of the delicate balance between urban spaces and Brisbane’s diverse wildlife.

Artwork featuring Brisbane's birdlife — *Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane*

“Brisbane Birdsong” stands as a visual celebration of the city’s native bird species. Each brushstroke captures the personality of these birds, ensuring their stories are preserved and shared with future generations.

Projects like “Brisbane Birdsong” showcase the powerful role public art plays in connecting people with their surroundings. As Artforce Brisbane continues to grow, murals like this will serve as lasting reminders of the city’s creativity and natural beauty.

Published 28-Dec-2024

Brisbane South State Secondary College: Now Open in Dutton Park

June 2022 marks the opening of the new Brisbane South State Secondary College in Dutton Park, over 60 years since a new state school opened in Brisbane’s south.

The first day of school saw 466 students in Years 7 and 8 excitedly enter the $153.78-million, state-of-the-art building on 179 Annerley Rd. The new building is a standout, cited for its design at the recent Brisbane 2022 Australian Institute of Architects’ Regional Architecture Awards, alongside its designers BVN.

The new school maximises its space as a vertical school, with five storeys of learning hubs and extensive greenery to boost the wellbeing of the students and the aesthetics of the campus.

From an initial batch of 466 students, Brisbane South State Secondary College is expected to add a year level every year until it completes a Year 12 batch in 2026.

“Queensland is growing rapidly. And in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics, we’ll see extraordinary population growth here in Brisbane,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who was at the opening with Education Minister Grace Grace, said.

“We’re investing more in health and education than any government in Queensland’s history to cater for growth and ensure our young people can capitalise on the opportunities the next decade will bring.

“We’ll continue to invest in infrastructure like schools and hospitals to create jobs and ensure Queenslanders have access to great public services.”

“The new school features multiple buildings centred around an outdoor learning oasis, including a creative hub, administration hub, two innovative learning hubs, a health and wellbeing hub and a multipurpose hall,” Ms Grace said.

“It is fantastic to see the school running so well after a successful foundation year in 2021.

“A new oval and outdoor sports facility on Marshall Road in Rocklea will be ready for use for the start of school in 2023. It will include an amenities block, car park, and a playing field to suit sports such as AFL and cricket.”

Brisbane South State Secondary College Foundation Principal Kirsten Ferdinands will lead the school as it grows in the next few years. She said they are also looking forward to working in collaboration with the University of Queensland.

“Its remarkable facilities will give students access to unique on-campus experiences, educational pathways across research and entrepreneurship, and expertise and support through UQ’s Science of Learning.”

Asbestos Found In Brisbane South State Secondary College

Photo credit: Brisbane South State Secondary College/Facebook

Certain areas of the Brisbane South State Secondary College have been closed to protect students and staff from the potential risks of materials with asbestos found in the premises in August 2021.

Read: Study Finds Alarming Levels of Toxic Soil in Yeronga Vegetable Gardens

At present, there are already more than 200 Year 7 students enrolled at the state school but significant works have yet to be done in some of the buildings. After workers spotted potential asbestos material within a crushed fill, a test was performed on the same day, which confirmed the presence of the hazardous material.

Because of this, workers refused to carry on with the job until assurances were made that no other materials were contaminated.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and can typically be found in rock, sediment or soil. Because it’s either ‘non-friable or ‘friable’, asbestos was seen as very useful for building products. However, the substance becomes a health risk when its fibres are released into the air and inhaled by those around it.

According to Safe Work Australia, breathing in asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma and those who develop health problems from inhaling the substance may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time. Symptoms don’t usually appear until 20 to 30 years after initial exposure.

Regarding the matter, the Department of Education confirmed that the material was in a construction area where students and staff could not access. They also conducted airborne testing to assure that there was no airborne asbestos that could risk the health of students, staff, and visitors.

Read: New Memorial Wall to Mark Centenary of WW1 Cenotaph at Yeronga Memorial Park

In April 2021, Education Minister Grace Grace revealed that the state government has spent more than $6.5 million to extract the hazardous material from over 100 state schools across Queensland.

For the safety and well-being of students and staff, the Department has launched the asbestos policy and plan, which aims to manage risks relating to asbestos-containing material (ACM).

Condition of ACM in department-owned facilities is managed through:

an extensive awareness program amongst staff and the school community
maintenance condition assessments
3-yearly asbestos audits conducted by industry professionals

If you have any concerns about asbestos in department-owned facilities or require any further information, please contact the facility school principal or early childhood education centre director.

BSSSC in Dutton Park Recognised at the Australian Education Awards

Despite the delays in the completion of construction of Brisbane South State Secondary College, this Dutton Park school has received the most noteworthy validation from the Australian Education Awards as one of the finalists for their Excellence Award.

The award-giving body recognises the top-performing schools in the country for “their outstanding achievements and transformative work,” that significantly impacts the lives of young Australians. BSSSC has been nominated under the Innovation in Curriculum Design category. The winners will be announced on 27 Aug 2021.

The school has remained open amidst the $130-million construction work, funded by the State Government, which started in mid-2020 and will continue until the end of 2021. Despite the disruption, BSSSC students have already been benefitting from the school’s improved curriculum and partnership with universities, biomedical providers, and sports communities, such as the University of Queensland (UQ), the Translational Research Institute (Princess Alexandra Hospital), and the Brisbane Lions AFL Academy.

Perhaps one day, BSSSC will produce the scientists who will be able to unlock the mysteries of the Sars-Cov-2 virus (COVID-19) or become the chief of a successful start-up that will be solving the next pandemic as the school has provided the students with the right tools, training and environment to pursue studies in medicine, science, as well as sports and the arts.

Executive principal Kirsten Ferdinands said that 20 percent of the students are focusing on studies in biomedicine, sports and nutrition, whilst 80 percent are taking the standard curriculum. Regardless, all classes at BSSSC are similar to a university environment because of the programs and facilities.

BSSSC has “ideation rooms” with 3D lounges for presenting projects and a lectorium for brainstorming or learning new ideas. It has dance rooms with a theatre stage and large trade rooms for various school activities.

Photo Credit: Brisbane South State Secondary College/Facebook

Under the Mini-Masters program, the students are enjoined to do digs with actual archaeology experts, whilst some are coached into managing and producing a YouTube channel on sports, or guided into writing or directing the school play.

All these programs are conducted into the various hubs around the campus for learning, creativity, health and wellbeing, and the outdoor green space called The Oasis.

BSSSC’s current student body is 204 but the school is expecting 250 in 2022, and grow to to 1,500 in five years. Most of the graduating class are planning to enter UQ.

New Dutton Park School Hopes To Bring More In-Catchment Students

Photo credit: Brisbane South State Secondary College/Facebook

Brisbane South State Secondary College has welcomed its first batch of Year 7 students for 2021. However, about 65 percent of these 203 students are from outside the school’s catchment zone.

Based on data released by the Education Department, a similar scenario exists in another Brisbane inner-city school. In Fortitude Valley State Secondary College, 46.5 percent of this year’s enrolment is composed of out-of-catchment students.

The irony is that Brisbane South State Secondary College was constructed to ease pressure off Brisbane State High School, which still suffers from overcrowding. As of the latest data, BSHS received additional 90 students, pushing them to hold classes in the library.

The students of BSSSC (Photo credit: Brisbane South State Secondary College/Facebook)

Brisbane State High School school council chair David Gillespie said Brisbane South State Secondary College has not seemed to alleviate enrollment pressure off their school.

Despite this situation, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is hopeful that in-catchment enrolments will build as the new school establishes itself and its reputation in the local community. She believes the number of in-catchment students in Brisbane South State Secondary College would grow as more year levels are added.

About Brisbane South State Secondary College

Positioned at the heart of Brisbane’s Knowledge Corridor, the school opened with Year 7 for 2021 and plans to continue enrolments of Year 7 students each year as each level progresses, until the school reaches full enrolment for each grade in the future.

According to the school’s website, in-catchment applications and out-of-catchment expressions of interest and details for selective entry for 2022 will be available in Term 2 this year and will soon be advertised on their website, social media page, and newsletter.

In February 2021, the new inner-city state school opened their brand new laboratories and launched new programs, including Instrumental music lessons and band rehearsals to help students showcase their musical talents at events.

Brisbane South State Secondary College students with their Adopt-A-Cop’, Constable Lauren Jervis (Photo credit: Brisbane South State Secondary College/Facebook)

The school recently announced the ‘Adopt-a-cop’ program, which is intended to keep young people safe, by having access to the police. They also initiated a rewards program where students earn points for special acts of good behaviour and can ‘purchase’ items after saving those points up.

For more information about Brisbane South State Secondary College, visit their website or qed.qld.gov.au.

Brisbane South State Secondary College in Dutton Park to Open Amidst Complaints of ‘Unlawful’ Night Works

Construction of the Brisbane South State Secondary College (BSSSC) in Dutton Park has been steadily ramping up in preparation for the first day of the school term on Wednesday, 27 January 2021.

By 2026, Brisbane South State Secondary College will cater to all second years but for this school term, over 200 Year 7students will comprise the first batch who could expect work on the $140-million building to continue within the next weeks.

Assistant Education Minister Brittany Lauga confirmed that construction will continue during school hours but it will be “very considerate” to the learning environment.

Broad Construction has been working late at night until the early hours of the morning without a proper permit from the Council. Neighbours have complained of sleepless nights whilst some have temporarily moved to the homes of other relatives as the contractors finish the building, as well as the road and intersection upgrades within the school’s vicinity.

Gabba Ward Councillor Jonathan Sri has received the complaints since September and has raised these concerns to the Council.

“The private building contractor for the new Dutton Park high school seems to have managed the project poorly, and was way behind schedule,” Gabba Ward Councillor Jonathan Sri said. “They tried to make up for it by doing months and months of nightworks (on top of the usual 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daytime construction), directly across the road from residential properties, robbing people of sleep and peaceful enjoyment of their home.”

“We’ve uncovered that there were no permits for nightworks, so the construction company has been breaking the law and violating the Environmental Protection Act for months now,” Mr Sri added after the Council informed him that compliance was with the State Government, which is behind the project.

“The planning department is working closely with the Brisbane City Council and the contractor to find a solution,” a spokesperson for the State Government said.

Mr Sri is calling for compensation for residents whose lives were disrupted by this project. Nonetheless, the councillor said that everyone is excited about the school’s opening as it will provide for the demands of the expanding inner south.