Schools
14 October, 2025
School built into shape
WOODFORD families will still have to wait an unspecified period before being able to access Years 11 and 12, as the Woodford State School and State Government work together to overcome obstacles such as additional infrastructure and suitable staff.
This comes over a year after the LNP promised the expansion during the 2024 election, with the aim to keep kids at school locally instead of them having to travel for their senior years.
However, the school is one step closer to its goal of becoming a full P–12 campus, thanks to a new Industrial Technology and Design workshop building.
The project, announced last month by State Member for Glass House Andrew Powell, is part of the $70 million School and Education Boost funding and will mark the first step towards expanding the school.
Mr Powell said the new building investment was a significant milestone for the community and a crucial step in ensuring local students can complete their senior schooling close to home.
“It’s essential we get the right infrastructure in place before welcoming students in Years 11 and 12, to ensure they receive the best possible education and experience,” he said.
“Our goal is to offer a wide range of subjects and electives that match those available at other high schools, despite our regional setting.
“We are also focusing on subjects aligned with the strengths of our local community, hence the focus on Industrial Technology and Design.”
Mr Powell added there are many obstacles that come with adding two additional years to the school, including relocating and upgrading existing facilities, adding classrooms, and employing and retaining additional staff.
“Whilst we are still in the early stages of planning and don’t yet have a confirmed start date for our senior years, I want to reassure locals that Principal Kelly Jeppesen and I are working closely with the Department of Education to plan and prepare to move as quickly as possible,” he said.
Woodford State School Principal, Kelly Jeppesen, said the introduction of senior schooling will take time, with detailed design and construction phases still ahead.
“In preparation for onboarding Year 11 and 12, the infrastructure is vital, and this takes time to plan, design and construct,” she said.
“As a school we are steadily growing in enrolments, and time is needed to ensure this infrastructure investment serves the learning needs of our students.
“Additionally, we need to plan the signature learning pathways for curriculum and vocational education pathways in Year 11 and 12 and recruit the right staff to deliver these programs.”
Ms Jeppesen added the investment in a specialised Industrial Technology and Design building, with equipment to industry standards, means students can be part of a skilled workforce to serve the local, state or global construction industries.
“These opportunities strengthen the economy of the local community by ensuring we have confident, skilled and capable employees for local businesses,” she said.
“On the horizon in our local community is future housing land releases, road engineering and construction, major constructions at Woodford Correctional Centre and we need a long-term plan for developing this future workforce.
“I know the Woodford community has waited many years for this investment and it is through their advocacy alongside Andrew Powell MP, that this has now come to fruition.
“My role is now to work with staff, parents, students and wider Woodford community to deliver on this opportunity.”
Lastly, Ms Jeppesen said the school expansion is more than just adding Years 11 and 12, calling it a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for the school and community to renew and modernise what education means for the students and identify learning pathways that ensure students can work locally or globally in their chosen careers.
