Welcome to my monthly local school news roundup. If your school has news or events you would like me to publish, please email my office on ferny.grove@parliament.qld.gov.au with the details for my next newsletter. Please see below for just a snapshot of what is happening in and around our local schools!
Ferny Grove State High School
Students Rally for Change with Ping Pong-A-Thon
Students at Ferny Grove State High School are picking up their paddles for a cause, hosting this year’s Ping Pong-A-Thon—a student-led initiative aimed at raising awareness and funds to combat human trafficking and exploitation.
The event will see students playing table tennis for hours on end, bringing the community together through friendly competition while highlighting the importance of global citizenship and compassion.
“This is more than just a game,” said one of the student organisers. “We’re using ping pong to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable people around the world.”
The Ping Pong-A-Thon is part of a larger movement across schools and communities in Australia, where young people are taking the lead in driving positive change. Funds raised go directly to partner organisations working on the ground to protect children and young people from exploitation.
Community members are encouraged to get involved by cheering on participants or making a donation to support the students’ efforts.
👉 To donate and support Ferny Grove’s Ping Pong-A-Thon, visit:
https://pingpongathon.com/t/fernyfreedompong
Mitchie State High School
Congratulations to Principal, John Searle. John received the Queensland Secondary Principals’ Association (QSPA) Award for Leadership in the Profession
This award is for people which have demonstrated strong and effective professional leadership within the context of Queensland public education.
From the QPSA: Our recipient is a passionate and expert instructional leader who has driven transformative teaching and learning reforms across schools and systems. He champions evidence-informed practices. These reforms are never top-down, reform is emergent, co-designed through staff voice, coaching, and shared ownership. At Mitchie, this collaborative approach contributed to significant improvement in both academic outcomes and school culture.
Congratulations John!
Patricks Road State School
Congratulations to the Pats Road State School eSports Rocket League teams who competed at the Brisbane Primary Schools Competition on the 3rd of September.
Both teams made the finals with Cooper and Finlay winning the Grand Final and earning a spot in the State Finals to be held on the Gold Coast in November. Great work!
Newmarket State School
I have been lobbying the Department of Education regarding Newmarket State School and several others over the past few years as they have faced increased student numbers.
I am pleased to report the Department is now planning for the next classroom expansion at Newmarket with a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process not in train.
This includes the proposed development of a new two-storey learning centre
The MID proposal also includes the provision of a future learning centre. This project will be subject to future enrolment growth and the availability of funding in the future.
The department will undertake community consultation as part of the MID process over the next few months. See below for the details the Department has released so far.
To have your say email the Department at infrastructure.haveyoursay@qed.qld.gov.au by 19 September.
15 September 2025
