Eudlo State School is a small school with a big heart. It is a place where our children are known, supported and encouraged to thrive. As our school community has grown, so too has the need for adequate learning spaces.

Not long ago, our school operated with combined classes. Today, thanks to increasing enrolments and a growing Sunshine Coast, we have transitioned to straight classes, a wonderful reflection of our school, however, this growth has come at a cost, we simply don't have enough classrooms.

Our Year 5 students are currently learning in our small library because there is nowhere else for them to go. This means not only are students learning in a space that was never designed to be a permanent classroom, but our entire school community has also lost access to a functional library.
One long-term option that has been discussed is the construction of a new administration building with an attached teaching and learning space. While this may provide additional flexibility in the future, our current administration building is no longer fit for purpose. It presents accessibility challenges due to its steep stairs, has limited emergency exits, insufficient office space for administration staff and inadequate toilet facilities. If a new administration building were constructed, the existing administration building could then be repurposed for meetings and quiet small-group learning, rather than serving as a full-time classroom.

Adding to our frustration is the knowledge that there are unused relocatable classrooms sitting at schools across Queensland. For example, Kuluin State School reportedly has several spare relocatable classrooms. Our school would gladly welcome one of these existing buildings, yet we understand that relocating and installing a relocatable classroom can cost more than $1 million. While we appreciate there are costs involved, it is difficult to understand how leaving fully functioning classrooms sitting unused is the best use of public resources when schools like ours are desperately in need of additional learning space. Surely there is a more practical and cost-effective solution that allows existing assets to be used where they are needed most, supporting the education of Queensland children.

Our dedicated teachers continue to do an incredible job despite limited space, but overcrowding and the loss of key learning areas runs the risk of inevitably affecting the educational experience of our children. Every student deserves an environment that supports their learning, not one that forces them into makeshift solutions.

We are grateful to our local Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell, for advocating on our behalf with the Department of Education. Now we are asking our wider community to stand with us.
Eudlo State School is a valuable part of our hinterland community. Our students deserve the same opportunities as children in larger schools, a dedicated classroom, access to a library and learning spaces that are safe, accessible and fit for purpose.