THE start of the new school year this week took on an extra level of excitement for families who walked into the gates of Everleigh State School for the first time.
Two hundred foundation students started at the brand new $75 million school on Monday.
The opening comes two weeks after the expected opening date, and carries with it the unusual burden of managing Covid-19 vaccinations.
But it’s also one of the long-awaited missing pieces to the rapidly growing Everleigh catchment, which has since had to rely on schools at Greenbank, Park Ridge, Jimboomba, and surrounding cities.
For many of the families, last Thursday was the first time they got tp meet their children’s teachers and get a taste of life in the school.
Proud foundation parent Lauren Bickley has watched the school being built down the road from where she lives.
“We’ve got our little preppy starting this year, so he’s very excited,” she said.
“We’re just down the road, so we’ve watched the whole thing being build in the process over the last year, and it looks amazing.”
A student resource scheme has been brought in to cut some of the costs involved with buying books and stationery.
Ms Bickley said it worked out cheaper than buying it externally because the school bought everything in bulk.
“Basically, you pay the fee for the year level, and everything is provided for you so you don’t have to worry about doing any of that,” she said.
“But it saves a lot of time for parents, especially because we’re so time poor these days.”
New Beith local Christine Grisinger is relieved to have a school so close to home that will not involve a one-hour commute each morning and afternoon.
“We have been travelling too and from school to Springfield Central for the last year, so for us not to have to do the big commute and only be around the corner is brilliant,” she said.
The new bus routes of 6068 and 6168 are in full swing to boost transport to and from the school.
Morning and afternoon routes are available to students. Primary and secondary students can get concession fares of 50%.
Logan MP Linus Power said the bus line will be monitored for any service changes that may be needed.
New school, in a new education era
