August 22, 2023
As part of the 2023/2023 State Budget, Atherton State School was allocated $1.1 million for a new security fence around the school.
Member for Hill Shane Knuth said he was pleased to work with the local school, P&C and Atherton Police to lobby the Minister to get a win for safety at the school.
Mr Knuth thanked Education Minister Grace Grace for recognising the need to keep students safe.
Atherton State School P&C president Emily Larcombe said with increasing incidences of vandalism and break-ins they knew increasing security at our school would be necessary to limit this in the future.
“We are so excited that the State Government has agreed that this is a priority in our community,” Mrs Larcombe said.
“We want to make sure our students feel safe at school. We want our teachers and staff to have security in their workplace and not be worried that their classrooms aren't safe over the weekends or school holidays.
“Our main priority is to improve the school fencing to stop the thoroughfare of people cutting through from the bridge to Woolworths straight through the school to Armstrong Street.
“This will greatly decrease the opportunistic crime occurring out of school hours and ensure our school is a safe place for our children during school time.
“The Atherton Primary School P&C are committed to improving the educational outcomes of our community and look forward to the continued support of the State Government.”
Atherton State School principal Helen Foulger said the Atherton Primary School community welcomed the State Government’s investment in strengthening security for the school.
“The new fence and other security measures will greatly enhance overall school security and the safety and wellbeing of students and staff,” Mrs Foulger said.
“Sincere thanks to the State Government, Shane Knuth MP, The Atherton Primary School P&C, Atherton Police, PCYC- Outside School Hours Care and school staff for their significant support and contribution towards making this project a reality.”