Hutchinson Receives National Education Facility Award for Fortitude Valley State Secondary College Project

Did you know that Hutchinson has been conferred a National Education Facility Award for its transformative work at Fortitude Valley State Secondary College?



The completion of Stage 2 of the project at Fortitude Valley State Secondary College marks a significant milestone in the school’s evolution. This phase introduces modern classrooms and a state-of-the-art sports center to Queensland’s first-ever vertical school. The expansion has created over 300 secure jobs for locals, fostering growth and development.

FVSSC_Stage_Two_35
Photo Credit: Donald Cant Watts Corke

At a cost of $43 million, Stage 2 adds an innovative senior learning precinct, poised to welcome the first cohort of Year 10 students. Education Minister Grace Grace highlighted the government’s substantial $143 million investment, enriching both education and employment opportunities in our inner-city suburb.

The new facilities encompass 13 purpose-built classrooms, tailored for Years 10 to 12 students. These spaces are equipped with cutting-edge amenities, including technology labs, industry-standard kitchens, senior science labs, a textiles studio, and dedicated breakout areas fostering collaborative learning.

FVSSC_Stage_Two_19
Photo Credit: Donald Cant Watts Corke

Minister Grace emphasized the integration of these classrooms above a comprehensive sports facility with two versatile courts, showcasing the project’s innovative design and functionality.

FVSSC_Stage_Two_08
Photo Credit: Donald Cant Watts Corke

Hutchinson Builders’ triumph in the National Education Facility Award spotlights their commitment to delivering exceptional learning environments. This recognition reinforces their position as leaders in creating state-of-the-art educational infrastructure within our community.



The Master Builders National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards celebrated outstanding projects and talent across various sectors. Hutchinson’s success underscores the dedication to excellence witnessed in the construction and development industries, resonating within our community and beyond.

This achievement not only elevates the school’s educational offerings but also shines a bright spotlight on Fortitude Valley’s commitment to fostering progressive and advanced learning environments for our residents.

Published 29-December-2023

Fortitude Valley State Secondary College Hosts FIRST LEGO League Challenge

Teachers, volunteers, and students came out in force as Fortitude Valley State Secondary College hosted its first ever FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge. 


Read: New Classrooms and Sports Centre for Fortitude Valley State Secondary College, QLD’s First Vertical School


The FIRST LEGO League, held in November 2022, introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children through fun, exciting hands-on learning. The FIRST LEGO League Challenge, which is one of the three divisions by age group, is intended for students ages 9-16.

Around six teams from the college entered the FLL Challenge, which involved research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering, by building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a Robot Game.

First Lego League
Photo credit: Fortitude Valley State Secondary College/Facebook

As part of the school’s preparation for the Lego League, a few industry experts from Clough, Accenture and Aurecon visited the school and discussed a range of topics including pumped hydropower storage, natural gas power stations, electricity distribution networks, Hydrogen production and other renewable sources.

The teams also participated in an Innovation Project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem.

What the LEGO League Offers:

  • Application of science and math concepts
  • Hands-on problem solving
  • Programming experience
  • New real-world themed challenge each year
  • Sports-like tournaments with judges and awards

“We thank everyone who helped make this event memorable! It was a great day of learning for everyone, and the students had fun whilst developing problem solving skills and resilience,” Fortitude Valley State Secondary College stated. 

About FIRST

First Lego League
Photo credit: FIRST LEGO League/Facebook

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is a not-for-profit organisation founded by inventor, entrepreneur Dean Kamen in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. 


Read: ‘Look Mum, No Pilot!’ Self-flying Air Taxis Being Developed In Time For 2032 Brisbane Olympics


Following the tournament season held every November to December, First is now preparing for the World Festival/Opens for the Lego League, scheduled from April to June.

New Classrooms and Sports Centre for Fortitude Valley State Secondary College, QLD’s First Vertical School

Stage 2 of the expansion of Fortitude Valley State Secondary College has been completed, adding classrooms and a new sports centre to Queensland’s first-ever vertical school.



The completed second stage of the $143 million investment that will deliver inner Brisbane’s first secondary school in more than 50 years has recently been unveiled at a ceremony held on 18 November 2022.

This expansion has supported more than 300 secure jobs for Queenslanders.

Stage 2 cost $43 million to build and adds a state-of-the-art senior learning precinct to the school for the first cohort of Year 10 students next year.

Stage 2 of Fortitude Valley State Secondary College Officially Opened
Photo credit:  Facebook / Grace Grace MP

“Fortitude Valley State Secondary College represents a $143 million Palaszczuk Government investment in the local community that has supported good jobs and provided better services in the inner city,” Education Minister and local Member for McConnel Grace Grace said.

Stage 2 features 13 classrooms for use by students in Years 10 to 12 plus a Sports Centre. The learning spaces are air-conditioned and include two industrial technology labs, two industry-standard kitchens, three senior science labs, one textiles studio, two visual arts studios and three breakout spaces for independent and group learning.

These classrooms have been built above an enclosed sports facility with two multi-purpose courts
Photo credit:  Facebook / Grace Grace MP

“These classrooms have been built above an enclosed sports facility with two multi-purpose courts,” Minister Grace adds.

Vertical schools are a recent phenomenon in Australian state education. High land prices and a scarcity of suitable sites make vertical schools an economic alternative to our longstanding cultural preference for low-rise schools.

New vertical schools, ranging in height from four to seventeen storeys, are now starting to be commissioned across all Australian mainland states. Peter Goss from the Grattan  Institute wrote that Australia can anticipate an increase of around 650,000 students in the decade to 2026. This number would require the construction of seven new twenty-five-student classrooms every day for ten years.

Vertical Schools on the Rise in Australian Cities” by Clare Newton

“Around 450 students in Years 7 to 9 are currently receiving a world-class education at Fortitude Valley State Secondary College, and the school will continue to add a year level every year until the first Year 12 cohort starts in 2025.

“Fortitude Valley State Secondary College is one of 21 new schools the Palaszczuk Government has opened since 2015, and we’ll open another four next year.”



The State Government continues to invest in building, upgrading and expanding schools under its 2022-23 budget with almost $2 billion allocated to education infrastructure investment supporting almost 4,200 jobs for Queenslanders.

New Fortitude Valley State Secondary College Now Open

Did you know that the first school to be built in the inner city in more than 50 years opened its doors to students in Term 1 (2020)?

The new Fortitude Valley State Secondary College has welcomed its first 150 students as it officially opened its gates in January 2020.

The first vertical school in the state, is one of eight new state schools that opened in 2020’s Term One, the most new school opened in one day in more than 30 years.

The Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, McConnel MP and Education Minister Grace Grace, principal Sharon Barker and 30 staff were in attendance as year 7 students entered the $100-million school for the first time.



The Premier described the occasion as the day that would be “etched in Queensland’s history books.”

“It’s so exciting to be here today to see the big smiles on the faces of the students, staff and parents at Fortitude Valley State Secondary College,” the Premier said.

Other schools that opened that day include Mango Hill State Secondary College, Foxwell State Secondary College, Calliope State High School, Yarrabilba State Secondary College, Ripley Valley State Secondary College, Ripley Valley State School, and Lee Street State Special School in Caboolture.

Fortitude Valley State Secondary College Now Open
Photo credit: Fortitude Valley State Secondary College / Facebook

“My government is proud to have delivered eight new state schools which all open today, an investment of more than $450 million,” the Premier said.

“More than 1,500 students will be welcomed by around 290 staff at these new schools today.

“We are so proud to have invested in these schools, delivering world-class facilities,” the Premier concludes.

Following the opening of the new learning centre and performing arts centre on Brookes Street, the seven-storey vertical junior learning centre on St Pauls Terrace will also be ready to use by mid-2020.