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Kicking goals with new soccer pitch and STEM precinct

Ipswich State High is set to score the city’s first synthetic soccer pitch, while construction is underway on the school’s $7 million purpose-built STEM building.

Principal Simon Riley said he was excited about the new two-storey learning centre, which is expected to be finished by October.

“It’ll have 12 classrooms and will include purpose-built spaces for robotics and coding,” Mr Riley said.

“As part of the construction, we’ve been getting some of our vocational education students some work experience on site, so they’re getting that real life education and tradie experience as well.”

Plans are also in the works to create Ipswich’s only synthetic soccer pitch after the school was awarded $1.3 million in funding from the Queensland Departments of Education and Sport and Recreation.

Mr Riley said a new and improved pitch would not only benefit students, but would provide a new sports ground for the Ipswich community.

“We’re hoping to have two pitches, with each pitch divided into three so we’ll be able to pull a net across and use it for futsal and hire them out for club use in the evenings and during weekends and holidays,” Mr Riley said.

“We have lots of football reps at Ipswich State High and many of our students and staff play with local clubs, so it’ll be great to be able to increase our partnerships with the community and provide a first-class facility for everyone.

“If all goes to plan, we’ll get it finished in September or October next year, and we’re hoping to get a two or three lane 400m track in there as well.”

Ipswich State High offers a High Performance Program in several sports, including soccer and rugby league and is developing both their basketball and netball programs.

Mr Riley, who has been at Ipswich State High since 2005, said he still had big plans to further expand the school’s sports offerings.

“I really want to see a multipurpose sports hub with several indoor courts,” Mr Riley said.

“If we could do that, we’d have the only international sized futsal pitch in south east Queensland and that would make a real difference to club players across Ipswich.

“I’m hoping that will be our next build.”

Read more:

>>> New iSTEAM lab gives students an edge in education

>>> How Ipswich is the breeding ground for tomorrow’s soccer stars

>>> Award-winning teacher ahead of the curve on e-learning

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